Drew Saunders

Responsible for the P&L of the North American business unit and brands, covering the United States and Canada. Lead the wholesale and Ecomm sales, marketing, operations, accounting, and customer service teams.

Led the acquisition and integration of the Evolv brand. Acquisition role included deal negotiation, due diligence, purchase agreement oversight, closing, and payment. Integration role included key contract renegotiation (employees, sales representatives, primary factory) and leadership of back-end consolidation, covering accounting, customer and dealer service, warehouse, supply chain, demand planning, and Ecommerce functions.

Directed all operations and customer service functions for our company. Assumed oversight of our Accounting team in 2018. Areas of operations focus included forecasting, purchasing, inventory management, domestic and international logistics, IT support, and warehouse oversight. Customer service leadership entailed managing our customer service and warranty team to provide a high level of service while generating additional sales, hiring and training staff, and overseeing key account and professional purchase program management. Led the development of our operations infrastructure through an extended period of rapid growth. Built a sustainable infrastructure to support growth and higher volume efficiently and effectively. - Co-led a project to migrate our business operating system from a small-business software system to our parent company's robust ERP system (Microsoft Dynamics). - Led a project to upgrade our warehousing and distribution capabilities. - Led multiple EDI integration projects with vendors and retailers to efficiently manage our sales, shipment, and invoicing process for high volume partners. - Improved our order entry process with our IT team by implementing a system that allows for fast upload of sales orders, improving accuracy and saving hundreds of hours of data entry time. - Oversaw our B2B site rollout to our customers, allowing them to check inventory and place orders directly into our ERP system. - Led a transformation of our Canadian sales and shipping program to deliver our products duty-free and hassle-free to our Canadian partners, allowing us to open the Canadian market for apparel and footwear sales. Oversaw all product forecasting and purchasing for our four brands and multiple categories including apparel, footwear, and equipment. Implemented the first sale rule customs process that saves over $100,000 per year in duties paid for apparel and footwear shipments.

Managed key operations of the company including purchasing, inventory, warehouse, supply chain, and information technology systems. Generated sales and achieved top quality customer service through leadership of the customer service department in a high-growth environment. Drove and contributed to key sales and marketing endeavors including trade shows, dealer camps, product demos, sample sales, and POP sourcing.

Immediately contributed to all facets of a high-growth business and implemented positive changes to improve customer service, maximize sales opportunities, and enhance profitability. Improved service to key accounts. Tripled sample sale revenue while reducing inventory. Developed and distributed inventory and sales reporting tools for sales force. Implemented changes to shipping and invoicing process that continue to save substantial expense. Mentored and managed the customer service staff for high performance results. Developed incentive plan to maximize effort toward desired goals. Promoted after only 8 months

Successfully managed all aspects of Kelty’s $4 million dollar sleeping bag business and product line to maximize the sales and profitability of the category. Conducted new line planning, designed and developed innovative products, purchased and managed all inventory for the category, improved relationships with factories and material suppliers, and gave dynamic product presentations to the sales force and key retailers. Developed award-winning products.

Managed a 14-state territory with $8 million in sales while working with four independent sales agencies to grow and improve Kelty’s relationship within the territory. Provided superior service to dealers, customers, and outside sales representatives. Promoted to product manager.

Graduated cum laude