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Product development and merchandising leader with 10+ years of experience delivering results in the beauty and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Proven track record of bringing innovative products to market across regulated categories, leading high-performing teams, and scaling strategic initiatives that drive revenue growth, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Expertise spans new product development, global expansion, data governance, and cross-functional collaboration in both startup and corporate environments. Known for balancing creativity with disciplined execution and for leading with empathy, structure, and strategic clarity. AREAS OF EXPERTISE Product Development &amp; InnovationProduct Strategy &amp; Roadmapping • Trend &amp; Competitive Analysis • End-to-End Product Development (Concept to Launch)• Speed-to-Market Execution • Formula &amp; Packaging Innovation • Agile &amp; Stage-Gate Methodologies • Cross-FunctionalCommercialization • Quality &amp; Cost Optimization • Contract Manufacturing • Formula Aesthetic Evaluation Business Strategy &amp; Market ExpansionGo-to-Market Planning • Budget &amp; Cost Management • Global Expansion &amp; Localization • Data Governance • Vendor &amp;Contract Negotiation • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Product Lifecycle Management Leadership &amp; CommunicationTeam Leadership • Coaching &amp; Mentorship • Executive Presentation • Stakeholder Alignment • Change Management •Project Management • Conflict Resolution • Communication Strategy • Situational Leadership

Provided NPD process consulting to mid-market CPG companies in beauty and personal care.
● Developed and implemented a Stage-Gate product development workflow and board presentation for a $125M
Mass & Club beauty brand, aligning cross-functional teams and reducing time-to-market.
● Built Smartsheet infrastructure from scratch to enable workflow automation, approval visibility, and launch
tracking.

Consultant – Process Implementation & Project Management

Promoted to lead a global NPD team responsible for skincare launches, kits, and emerging markets. Oversaw formula
development, regulatory compliance, and innovation strategy across multiple business units, collaborating with Unilever
stakeholders to drive product and operational excellence.
● Led a team of 6 project managers across NPD, international market launches, and kits/GWPs, integrating strategy,
formula development, and regulatory compliance to deliver high-impact beauty launches.
● Spearheaded Unilever’s Global Data Governance Board initiatives, enhancing enterprise-wide efficiency and data
accuracy across cross-functional teams.
● Directed go-to-market implementation for 3 new international and wholesale channels, supporting a projected
$40M in incremental revenue.
● Collaborated with global leadership on budget alignment, risk management, and long-range innovation planning.

Manager, New Product Development

Advanced to lead development of over 40 SKUs annually, including several fast-track launches and high-performing hero
products. Focused on speed-to-market, cross-functional timeline coordination, and quality execution across formula,
packaging, and supply chain.
● Drove end-to-end development for 20+ SKUs annually, including 2 Speed-to-Market (STM) cosmetics and a
successful SPF line, contributing $30M in revenue.
● Launched the brand’s highest-performing moisturizer, exceeding sales forecasts by 112% and generating $10M in
incremental FY’24 revenue.
● Introduced Agile sprint planning to product lifecycle management, decreasing overdue tasks by 15% YoY.
● Reduced OTC product timelines by 23% (11 weeks) through roadmap innovation and process overhaul.
● Orchestrated mid-production recovery of a $5M OTC product by leading crisis task force, achieving on-time
delivery and full revenue capture.
● Secured $141K in launch cost savings via successful vendor negotiations.

Assistant Manager, New Product Development

Managed early-stage NPD workflows across beauty product lines. Partnered with marketing, R&D, and ops teams to
streamline launch readiness, timeline acceleration, and packaging operations during a period of high growth.
● Designed and implemented a cross-functional deployment model, cutting air shipping costs by 90% and saving
$100K annually.
● Created an 8-month STM timeline framework, leading to the successful launch of two high-priority products
($4M revenue).
● Temporarily assumed Commercialization Buyer duties for 12 months, overseeing quoting, CM production, and
supplier negotiations.

Sr. Project Manager, New Product Development |

Merchandised and executed up to 3 flash sale events daily, accounting for 400+ unique SKUs each day. Managed and developed $20M portfolio of 55 core vendors and cultivated strategic vendor partnerships, sourcing product assortments, building category and brand strategy. Planned and oversaw vendor event calendar. Envisioned creative treatment of each event, and collaborated with studio team. Developed 3 direct reports.
•	Developed top vendors by expanding on strengths and introducing new product categories, increasing sales 22% H1 YOY.
•	Capitalized on growth potential vendors, engaging in local FC warehousing program, realizing 30% demand increase YOY.
•	Strategized reductions of aged inventory by negotiating lower costs and RTVs with key partners.
•	Analyzed and strategically improved key KPIs YOY, including margin (+150bps), ASP (+ $.52), and PO to ship (-2 days) through vendor negotiations, advancing bottom line profitability.

Independently sourced and developed compelling omni-channel product assortments for 4 international brands (Sony Playstation, Ford, Cummins, Lowes) with up to 25 subcategories each. Governed brand and licensing integrity of all production with third party vendors, and directed and determined designs for proprietary branded product. Owned product life cycle management of 150 SKUs including pricing, promotion, and marketing and calendar management for each brand, per season with partnership from merchandiser coordinator.
•	Set stage for most successful, forecasted launch in company history by developing and delivering inaugural assortment of 75 unique styles for Gear.Playstation.com.
•	Increased productivity by creating SOPs and trained merchandising team on PLM efficiencies.
•	Strategized future opportunities and implemented them with internal and external teams, attaining performance goals.

Merchandiser- Sony Playstation, Ford Motor Co

Created seasonal strategies for $20M catalog and ecommerce business through sales analysis, product development, sourcing, inventory management, and vendor negotiations. Sourced and developed on-trend products throughout 6 categories and launched 7 new collections totaling 600 SKUs per season. Managed 75+ vendors and licensors, and collaborated with product development team. Determined marketing product and advised final creative decisions between creative and marketing teams. Directly managed up to 3 team members, including freelance budgeting.
•	Gained internal proprietary growth in girl’s communion category for 15% sales increase.
•	Partnered with key vendors on exclusive designs, expanding sales volume 26% in boys and 41% in accessories.
•	Developed proprietary footwear program with external vendor, resulting in 14 pt IMU% increase.
•	Represented merchandising and contributed to development of new PLM system in partnership with chief operating officer and technical team that improved efficiencies.
•	Analyzed departmental sales to identify key product drivers, missed opportunities and implement strategies, maximizing SKU volume.
•	Sourced and conducted head-to-head vendor negotiations, confirming pricing, delivery, and quality specifications.

Merchandise Manager- Kid's Apparel

Cultivated highly functional and cooperative structure between merchandising team and internal customers. Collaborated with merchandising team and crafted assortment plans and line sheets, and uncovered opportunities for new product with better margins, SKU lifecycle, and sample management. Facilitated weekly meeting between Merchandising and Marketing groups in multiple offices.
•	Reduced inventory liability by negotiating $55k return in footwear with high-volume brands.
•	Co-authored merchandising operations manual with cross-functional stakeholders, optimizing process efficiencies and strengthening department collaboration.

Merchandising Assistant- Shoes & Accessories

Selected product and pricing, issued and received POs, and managed product lifecycle. Delivered customer service and resolved issues and complaints with focus on customer loyalty and satisfaction. Supervised 3 team members.
•	Delivered 10% sales increase in FY13 by implementing new pricing strategy.

Motorclothes Lead & Assistant Buyer

Tawni Ryan is a Buyer at Tawni Ryan Consulting in Seattle, WA. View their experience, skills and work history on Malakye — the professional network for…

Tawni Ryan — Buyer at Tawni Ryan Consulting — Seattle, WA

Tawni Ryan

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