Skip Larson, MBA

Experience

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  Texas Instruments

  Jan 1995 - Jan 2001

  Engineer / Procurement analyst

  Improved supplier KPIs for quality, delivery, and price for $30 million of annual spending. Streamlined the critical spares supply chain for worldwide semiconductor fabrication facilities through CIP programs, pricing negotiations, and quality assessments. Lead critical spares negotiator for greenfield 300mm IC fabrication facility ensuring pricing, delivery, and support metrics were all met or exceeded.Managed semiconductor equipment engineering activities to create cost savings and manufacturing efficiency and coordinated activities for a 12 person technician group. Show less

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  Advanced Energy

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  Product Management/Sales Manager/Applications engineer

  Successfully defined, brought to market, and sold innovative End User products and programs that increased AE market penetration in End User and Original Equipment Manufacturer tool sets. Defined and created programs to support sales which addressed issues such as field service, training, and created pull through to OEM purchases. Sales management of semiconductor manufacturing customers such as Texas Instruments, AMD, Motorola, and Atmel directly and through rep channels. Created and implemented a service program that increased margins 50% and improved service efficiency 100% by implementing an innovative repair program solution that solved customer needs for predictable repair costs and lead times, and resolved internal process roadblocks. Raised sales revenue to $4 million in 2003, a 25% gain year over year when overall sales for the company were down more than 30%. Show less

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  Advanced Energy

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2014

  Director, Product Marketing Business Development (Solar, Flat Panel and Glass)

  Global responsibility for the growth and profitability in industrial markets for core product lines. -Increased profitability of the business P&L 10% and lead the marketing development of product and technology roadmaps for the DC/AC lines of business (~$100 million annual revenue). -Focused the product development, marketing and sales efforts for the Solar / FPD / Glass markets to win new customers, and expand reach into markets that were previously owned by the competition. -Lead the successful integration of a bolt-on acquisition of a European company and product line to enhance core offerings. -Management responsibilities included new product development, emerging technology assessment, strategic market penetration, pricing, negotiations, sales training, and profitable business line growth with domestic and internationally based OEM and End User customers.Developed and executed a market strategy and strategic planning for the company to address key one to five-year product roadmaps through collaboration and teaming with engineering, operations, key customers, marketing, and sales.Program manager, and lead integrator meeting all milestones and payouts for the successful justification (ROI and strategic plan), business integration, and marketing efforts for a complementary product line to boost market penetration and product portfolio several million dollars.Lead market research efforts and identified key market growth opportunities and leveraged roadmaps to simplify product lines which increased engineering product output, reduced product line complexity, and profitably increased market share.Defined, and launched products worldwide (focus on China, Japan, Korea, Germany and the US) across three key technologies which improved product GM 50%, boosted market share 50% in one year at the largest semiconductor manufacturer, and redefined operational efficiency and control for a key technology used in large area coatings. Show less

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  VaporTech

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2017

  Director Of Marketing and Business Development

  Hired to develop and implement strategies to introduce a new to the market coating system and technology. -Key programs completed include strengthening the company’s image in the highly competitive thin-film coating market, expand and optimize the performance of the product portfolio, and strategically entering adjacent markets while strengthening the current market position. -Lead key negotiations with new customers, and for the sales of B2B capital equipment in excess of $1 million.Established the company as a differentiated surface finishing system provider by rebranding and launching a new website, literature, trade show and promotional materials to align offerings with market requirements.-Created new products and services that simplified the acquisition and deployment of products while leveraging key company strengths. -Improved company external and internal communication strategies through direct training, and developed all customer communication and sales training materials.-Additional responsibilities included: Program management, product and technology roadmap ownership, direct sales, market development and promotion, management of trade show engagements, outside marketing firms, research services, budget, and business process development. Show less

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  Ace Marketing Strategies, llc

  Jan 2017 - now

  Founder

  Companies looking for a simple, and proven set of tools to address the complexities of marketing a diverse set of product offerings to a competitive marketplace can benefit from an outside look at how customers access your products, what the competition is doing or going to do, and what programs are in place to educate customers and reinforce the value proposition your products provide. ACE was created to help companies simplify and focus the key elements of a successful, sustainable product portfolio. The key elements ACE can help to align ACCESS to product offerings and sales channels, understand and address the COMPETITIVE landscape, and develop programs which enable companies to EDUCATE customers and partners on the unique value their products provide. Show less

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  Hach

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2019

  Global Product Manager

  Key, trusted member of product management organization responsible for the commercialization and growth of a portfolio of online analyzers. -Grew product portfolio more than 60%, market growth is <7%, in the last 2.5 years by simplifying the product line, commercialization and messaging to better engage sellers and customers. I also facilitated the launch of new products, and presented early-stage market assessments of products to address market gaps in the current portfolio of products.-Leveraging business planning and problem-solving tools to lead a revamp of sales training and tools to enable sellers to more easily communicate value propositions and identify sales opportunities.-Established credible followership across sales, marketing, and service through consistent, and credible actions that deliver on sales and communication goals in less than 1 year.-Leveraged key company strengths with innovative solution-oriented products and services. Show less

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  MKS Instruments

  Feb 2020 - Apr 2023

  Key Account Manager
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  Advanced Energy

  Mar 2023 - now

  Director of Product Management