Kevin J. Black 419-324-5298 kevinblack@me.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjpblack

PROFILE Sales & Marketing Director

15+ Years of Experience in Sales and Marketing in Consumer Products Innovative and experienced Sales & Marketing Director with more than 15 years of experience leading global sourcing, sales, marketing strategy, and product development in various industries. Collaborative manager and entrepreneur with comprehensive understanding of account management, business and relationship development, licensing and contracts, and product launch processes. Proven track record of driving strategy and market growth in international markets, including China, as well as demonstrated history of building and guiding teams to ensure results.

CORE COMPETENCIES • Sales & Marketing Strategy • Product Management • Microsoft Office • Key Account Management • International Sourcing • E-Commerce Sales • Sales Management • Custom Product Designs • Product Management • Sales Team Development • Contract/Term Negotiations • Pricing Structure

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Developed and Managed program for Factory to establish direct business with Retailers; Grace AJ has been primarily a OEM supplier to companies throughout the world. They have wanted to sell their products direct to retailers as these retailers are looking to partner with more with overseas suppliers. I have established relationships directly with retailers for Grace AJ along with creating a rep based sales force to sell these products creating a $4mm business in the first 18 months. I also established a partnership with another company, New Star, to provide U.S. warehouse program on the west coast with a variable cost structure to ensure cost savings for Grace AJ. Negotiated Product Liability Insurance through New Star to provide needed program at a variable cost structure and continued savings for Grace AJ. Developing broad lines of products with factory to provide a broad base program in Sporting Goods and Toy Sport Products to include Fitness, Sporting Goods, and Toy Sport Products. Expanded geography to U.S. market for Grace AJ and New Star beyond Mexico and Latin America; New Star had developed product programs primarily for sales in Mexico and Latin America and was looking to expand their offerings for products imported from China into the U.S. market. Created action plan for sales in U.S. market through established relationships with outside sales reps., along with direct retail sales development. Initiated product offering along with some new products and licenses for initial launch into market IMPACT: Developed $2M in sales in first year and established business which now is established at over $8M/year. Developed and Implemented sales for online business for two companies and Established a distributor for continuation of growth of direct ship to customers from retailers. As online sales were starting to grow nationwide, so did the need to establish direct to consumer sales for small to midsize companies to ship products direct to consumers without being shipped to retailer’s distribution centers. Inventory management at these distribution centers made it difficult for these companies get large parts of their products into distribution centers. Established Drop Ship program for shipments direct to consumers from online retailers. IMPACT: Created and managed sales to major retailers of product lines through a distributor who would service the customer needs while still shipping from the initial warehouse of the manufacturer. Sales in year 1 were over $1M and continue to grow through this online distributor.

EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Loyola University of Chicago

Minor in Business Administration

Kevin J Black Page 2

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Grace AJ, Hong Kong 2002 – PRESENT DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

Develop strategic sales and marketing plans for Grace AJ in U.S. and Canada, along with specific customers in Europe and Asia. Direct consumer product development and sales to US retailers. Collaborate and communicate with Retailers, Sales Representatives and Factory. Partner with client companies to develop product lines, as well as establish licensing agreements with major brands. Build and manage sales teams for all product lines. § Oversee all products developed throughout China, including product development, strategies, and costing ,

licensing, product management, market research, and merchandising. § Direct and sell all products to all major retailers in the U.S. and Canada, along with specific accounts in

Europe and Asia directly and through managed reps. § Managed accounts with more than $12 million in annual sales revenue, including spearheaded revenue growth

of more than $4 million through internet marketing to retail stores such as Walmart and Target. § Led resolution and management of patent infringement case for Grace AJ, increasing revenue by $2.5 million. § Provide direction for use of third party warehouse located in L.A. for domestic shipments, along with cost

structure to be a variable expense to Grace AJ. This also includes all internet sales created through this warehouse.

§ Direct and manage Product Liability cost as a variable expense for Grace AJ through Third Party warehouse program

CRAFT HOUSE CORPORATION 2002 – 2005 VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING Led sales and marketing strategy development and management for arts, crafts, and toys manufacturer with global sales revenue of $15 million. Oversaw branding and messaging. Negotiated contracts and pricing with overseas sources and established internal pricing structure and budgets. Directed product development and design, as well as administrative support, for internal and external teams. Supervised two Internal Sales Directors, four Marketing Managers, and seven outside sales agencies, while also managing account portfolio. Coordinated sales budgets and analyzed margins for all products and accounts. Conducted performance reviews. § Drove manufacturing shift from domestic to overseas sources, improving margin by 8 to 10% during tenure. § Oversaw successful marketing and sales of two new product lines, now accounting for 28% of annual sales.

Designed profit and loss statements for seven product lines, complete with quarterly reviews by management. § Served as liaison to licensing partners through contract negotiation process, as well as identified partners. § Integrated innovative approaches to turnaround struggling markets and product lines. § Retained in role from previous relationship with brand during tenure with Brookfield International. BROOKFIELD INTERNATIONAL 1997 – 2002 VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING Developed sourcing activities and oversaw all sales functions within US and Canada, as well as saw territory expansion into new international markets. Managed Mattel licenses for Hot Wheels and Barbie for division of bikes. Cultivated sales relationships and penetrated new accounts for division based on previous relationships and products. Partnered with industry leading brands, including Mattel, Warner Bros., and Disney to manage licenses, design new product lines, and maintain brand integrity. Conducted margin analysis and oversaw sales force. Developed quarterly and annual sales forecasts and budgets. § Led creation of $12 million division in 2002. § Drove product, sales, and sourcing during transition from Seneca to Rand during license changeover. § Developed, sourced, and sold new inline and shoe skate lines, securing placement at Walmart, Target, and

Toys R Us, including Target endcap. § Moved along with product lines and licenses during several mergers and acquisitions, from Seneca Sports to

Rand to Brookfield, eventually being brought onboard with Craft House. § Promoted in 1997 from National Sales Manager.