Marisa Williams
Vice President of Business Operations · Slumberkins
Bend, OR
In My Own Words
→ MY EXPERTISE: I am a results-driven senior leader with 15+ years of expertise in strategic operations, project management, and cross-functional collaboration within high-growth environments. I have a proven ability to deliver streamlined, scalable solutions that drive growth, optimize efficiency, and align with organizational objectives.
→ INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE: Assisting startups and enterprise companies in varying focus areas: Retail | Digital Transformation | Information Technology | Computer Software & Hardware | Non-Profit | Entrepreneurship | Logistics & Supply Chain | Procurement
→ HOW I BUILD SUCCESS: I drive operational excellence by removing barriers and adding automation, scaling systems for growth, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. With expertise in strategic planning, process optimization, and team leadership, I have consistently delivered measurable results, by empowering teams to take data-driven risks with a customer-first mentality that aligns with owner, investor, and market return expectations.
→ GLOBAL LEADERSHIP: Leadership with partners, employees, and/or clients in 7 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Philippines, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam
→ MY SPECIALTIES: Business Strategy | Business Operations | Business Partnerships | Business Transformation | Change Management | Continuous Improvement | Cross-Functional Team Leadership | Data Analysis | Financial Forecasting | Growth Mindset | Logistics & Supply Chain | Operations Management | P&L Management | Program Management | Sales Strategy | Stakeholder Engagement | Senior Leader Coaching & Mentorship
Work Experience
Senior Vice President Operations
Slumberkins2023 – Present
- Served on executive leadership team to establish strategic direction for business operations: B2B Partnerships & Wholesale, Financial Forecasting, Merchandising Planning & Allocation (MP&A), IT & Business Applications, Global Supply Chain, and Customer Service. - Led strategic initiatives to achieve 54% YOY growth in B2B and partnership channels by re-engineering operations and building high-performing teams. - Reduced inventory holding costs by 50% through data-driven inventory optimization and supplier relationship management.
Vice President of Operations
Slumberkins2021 – 2023
- Negotiated a 15% savings on transportation contract during an inflationary environment. - Authored a three-year expansion roadmap, gaining board approval, aligning operational goals with financial forecasts to drive sustainable growth. - Recognized speaker and thought leader; featured in Business Journals and at the Portland E-commerce Summit for pandemic business resilience strategies.
Senior Director Of Operations
Slumberkins2020 – 2021
- Led holiday product launch efforts on time and budget despite pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. - Spearheaded integration of critical business applications, driving automation for higher throughput.
Head of Operations
Kendra Scott2020 – 2020
- Led business continuity efforts during COVID-19 pandemic disruption to stabilize operations, implement health protocols, mitigate cost through renegotiated vendor terms and reprioritized products on order, and expand distribution capacity through new fulfillment channels.
Senior Director of Business Transformation & Change Management
Kendra Scott2019 – 2020
- Directed stakeholder engagement and change management for an enterprise system implementation program impacting corporate and store users at 100+ retail locations.
Senior Director of Distribution
Kendra Scott2019 – 2020
- Oversaw strategy, people management, technology, and operations related to the distribution of products across global retail, wholesale, and e-commerce channels during a high growth phase - Led process optimization initiatives and KPI implementation - Maximized operating budget by automating manual processes, leading to reductions in CPU and fulfillment lead times - Directed performance of 5 functional managers that led the work of up to 400 employees; implemented a shift to smart labor scheduling model that cut costs while ensuring optimal staffing levels across all seasons - Selected and stood up 3PL partnership intended to seamlessly absorb e-commerce fulfillment and decrease transit times for regional customer base - Key contributor on the cross functional, corporate leadership team that developed a 3yr road map for business growth
Senior Manager Product Strategy
Kendra Scott2016 – 2017
- Spearheaded go-to-market strategy for new product categories, including home décor, fragrance, and travel accessories - Managed end-to-end product rollout across departmental lines, achieving alignment with executive leadership and market objectives
Wholesale & Retail Fulfillment Manager
Kendra Scott2015 – 2016
- Oversaw outbound distribution for 50 retail stores and 800 wholesale accounts across North America - Managed 3 Floor Supervisors and 50 staff in the execution of inventory control, receiving, and distribution
Owner & Operator
elevenELEVEN2012 – 2014
- Developed and implemented business and financial strategies, overseeing all operations of a boutique retail store, and achieving profitability within the first year - Oversaw staff management, operations, financial planning & analysis, accounting, marketing, inventory planning, and buying strategies across multiple product categories
Business Director
YMCA of Austin2010 – 2011
- Directed citywide programming and budget management, including a financial assistance program that increased accessibility to youth and community services.
General Manager
Metropark2006 – 2010
- Managed stores in annual volume of up to $5M for a lifestyle retail company with a focus on fashion, music, and art. - Recognized contributer and invited speaker at national management conferences for top company sales and effective scheduling.
Education
BBA
St.Edward's University2001 – 2005
Skills: Market Analysis · Problem Solving · Business Reviews · Communication · Performance Metrics · Budget Management · Market Sizing · Easily Adaptable · Executive Presentation Skills · Analytical Skills · Business Planning · Market Evaluations