Debbie E. Dodero, MBA

Experience

• 

  Advocate Health Care

  Sept 1997 - Aug 1999

  Intern - Unit Information Coordinator

  • Participated in Cooperative Learning Internship Program through Downers Grove South High School.• Instructed employees on Allegra 2000, a newly implemented hospital computer program.• Reviewed confidential employee and patient records, entered patient profiles and physicians orders.• Completed Patient Care Training course to better understand staff and patient needs.• Trained new Unit Information Coordinator, my replacement.

• 

  Argonne National Laboratory

  May 2000 - May 2003

  Intern - Administrative Assistant

  • Completed departmental projects, gaining experience in many divisions.• Updated and reorganized photo library, archives, and current collection.• Scanned and verified incoming resumes using Resumix program.• Prepared Excel reports detailing applicant characteristics.

• 

  American College of Chest Physicians

  May 2003 - Nov 2003

  Intern - Assistant Program Coordinator, ACCPrep Program

  • Assisted Senior Vice President in the development and sale of the ACCPrep Pharmaceutical Representative Education Program.• Created sales collateral for various partnering opportunities issued to pharmaceutical companies.• Updated ACCP Partnering Opportunities publication for CHEST 2003/2004 Annual Meetings.

• 

  Wilton Brands

  Jul 2004 - Nov 2016

  • Led development and strategic direction for categories totaling $95MM in annual sales. • Developed and managed product development and packaging design budgets.• Conceived product strategy and perspective driving development of products for 2017 launch. Oversaw product team’s efforts to ensure a cohesive story and vision across product categories to maximize impact and opportunity.• Advocated as Business Champion on behalf of product team to streamline development with cross-functional partners in the creation of the first company-wide integrated Product Information Management system.• Served with leadership team on an extended project to identify new, high-yielding consumer groups and development platforms to fill innovation pipeline.• Provided leadership and mentoring to manager and assistant-level direct reports. Show less • Responsible for portfolio management, new product development and strategic growth of category. • Conceived, managed, and executed all new product introductions driving 10% category growth. • Spearheaded integrated marketing efforts and executed development of the Treatology® Flavor System and program launch. Received nomination for the annual Wilton Norman Award, the company’s most prestigious award recognizing exemplary achievements in the areas of innovation and creativity.• Conducted a comprehensive market review and competitive analysis guiding the insights-driven reformulation and rebranding of fondant business resulting in 14% sales growth.• Collaborated with cross-functional partners to identify and execute the transition of 3 key product formats resulting in $500,000 annual cost savings. Show less • Responsible for portfolio management, new product development and strategic growth of category. • Achieved 19% category growth over prior year; 13% from new products.• Established strong rapport and confidence with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners through organized management of new projects and programs.• Conceptualized merchandising strategy for SKU-intensive assortment to meet a major customer request while reducing packaging and fulfillment costs.• Developed test protocols for new and existing products in collaboration with the Food Scientist and Test Kitchen Manager.• Executed complete packaging redesign for full range of mature product formats, 90+ SKUs. Show less • Responsible for portfolio management, new product development and strategic growth of Candy and Party product categories. • Researched market trends and competitive programs to develop a comprehensive category review and go-forward strategy. • Executed first packaging artwork refresh for Candy Melts product line since its inception growing the category by 24% in the first year.• Grew seasonal candy kit business by more than 50% with new key item “Mega Pack” format. • Negotiated component costing with suppliers for kit product format including molds, retail cartons, shipping cartons and assembly labor resulting in $95,000 annual cost savings. Show less

  • Product Development Director

    Nov 2015 - Nov 2016

  • Product Manager, Fondant

    Dec 2012 - Oct 2015

  • Product Manager, Cake Decor

    Aug 2009 - Nov 2012

  • Product Manager, Candy & Party

    Apr 2007 - Jul 2009

  • Associate Product Manager, Seasonal Housewares

    Jul 2006 - Mar 2007

  • Assistant Product Manager, Housewares & New Business Development

    Jul 2004 - Jun 2006
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  Tootsie Roll Industries

  Mar 2017 - now

  • Marketing Manager, Charms

    Nov 2018 - now

  • Marketing Manager, Concord Confections

    Mar 2017 - Oct 2018