Michelle Lea

Responsible for developing strategic partnerships and leading business transformation initiatives that improve how CPGI delivers value to clients. This role bridges sales, operations, and technology to strengthen collaboration across the organization and support scalable growth. Focus areas include client partnership development, workflow and process optimization, cross-department alignment, and evaluating AI and digital solutions that improve efficiency, visibility, and decision-making across the business.

Drive year-over-year revenue growth across contract packaging, kitting, and display programs through new business development and expansion of existing accounts. Manage programs from initial scope and quotation through production coordination and final delivery. Act as the commercial link between clients and operations, ensuring alignment on feasibility, timelines, and execution requirements. Deliver turnkey co-pack and display solutions by coordinating internal production teams and external material partners to support integrated programs from concept through shipment. Support automotive inspection and repack programs operating within an OEM supply chain flow. Coordinate execution as components cycle through quality-controlled handling prior to entering the GM production stream, working within defined traceability, documentation, and timing requirements. Contribute to cross-functional initiatives including website redesign and brand refresh efforts, supporting alignment between commercial positioning and operational capability.

Serve on the Co-Pack Connect Council, contributing to the development of a CPA-led RFQ platform designed to improve connectivity and sourcing transparency between brands and co-packers. Participate in discussions focused on structure, usability, and commercial alignment, bringing a Canadian market perspective to a U.S.-based industry initiative.

Operate a small, client-based project services practice outside of full-time roles. Provide select contract support in design, custom fabrication, and warehouse maintenance services. Manage all aspects of business operations independently, including client scoping, pricing, invoicing, HST compliance, bookkeeping, and tax filings. Maintain a deliberately limited client base to ensure quality delivery and full commitment to primary professional responsibilities.

Returned to the workforce following a career pause and stepped into a customer service leadership role supporting a national team. Led a geographically distributed group of customer service agents across multiple regions. Acted as a coordination point between customer service, warehouse operations, and leadership to ensure clear communication and timely resolution of issues. Supported improvements to how customer complaints, short shipments, and overages were tracked and resolved. Contributed to the development of a more structured ticketing and accountability process to improve visibility, reduce recurring issues, and maintain strong client relationships. Maintained day-to-day customer service responsibilities while advocating for cross-functional collaboration and consistent documentation standards.

Brought in during an early growth stage to design and implement the company’s foundational operational systems. Built and formalized core infrastructure including WIP tracking, BOM development, procurement workflows, supplier onboarding, GS1 barcode registration, and inventory controls to support small-batch manufacturing. Acted as the primary front-office operations lead, managing inbound orders and translating them into production-ready documentation and workflow structures. Served as the operational bridge between customer demand and manufacturing execution. Developed internal communication systems, equipment maintenance tracking, and process documentation to improve visibility and scalability. Continued supporting the organization post-tenure on a project basis, including trade show coordination and operational initiatives, maintaining a trusted working relationship.

Led retail operations for a high-end furniture store while overseeing GTA-wide logistics coordination across four locations. Accountable for aligning sales performance, operational capacity, and service delivery in a premium retail environment. Drove revenue growth through structured sales leadership, performance management, and associate development. Directed regional logistics and white-glove home delivery operations, coordinating inventory flow, scheduling, routing, and customer experience across multiple sites. Ensured seamless execution from point of sale through final in-home delivery, protecting margin and brand reputation. Focused on operational efficiency, cost control, service excellence, and scalable workflow management.