Valerie Lowe
Sr. Manager of Strategic Initiatives · Welk Group
San Diego, CA
In My Own Words
Process-oriented quality control and production expert with domestic and international experience across a wide range of manufactured goods. Strong analytical aptitude and proven ability to direct and improve vendor management practices. Excellent leadership and team communication skills ensure timeliness and accuracy of production process.
Work Experience
Sr. Manager of Strategic Initiatives
Welk Group2018 – 2020
• Lead project manager across M&A, market research, digital initiatives and consumer finance. • Managed C-Level stakeholders across multiple business verticals within the company. • Drove proof of concept projects from initial A/B testing into mainstream implementation and operation. • Created cross functional AOP guidelines for all projects to establish operational consistency. • Assessed project issues, developed solutions and facilitated the coordinated efforts of all project management responsibilities.
Supplier Quality Engineer
Pro Performance Sports2017 – 2018
• Developed and implemented the supplier qualification and continuous management system that actively tracks supplier performance. • Led cross functional team activities in process flow charts, process mapping, proposals for improvement. • Managed strategic alignment of SKLZ headquarters and partnered manufacturing locations. • Owner of cross functional team integration to optimize the overlapping areas of responsibility between the operations, engineering and quality departments including vendor chargebacks and timely PO shipment. • Built credibility, established rapport, and maintained communication with factory suppliers and third-party vendors. • Negotiated production lead times and associated costs. • Planned, led and managed domestic and international production runs. • Implemented pre-production process and inspection criteria requirements. • Proficient managing data in ERP, PLM and Project Management systems: Syspro, Power BI, Oracle, Grovesite, Polaris, Microsoft Project, Roadmunk, Mindview • Facilitated BOM exchange between Engineering department and manufacturing facilities.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Petco Animal Supplies2013 – 2017
• Managed production responsibilities from design through shipment. • Systematized Petco’s product testing process by negotiating the use of a single primary third-party testing lab. Consolidated 350K testing budget and subsequently increased lab testing discount 25%. Owned "RFP" documentation and full circle process for lab transition. • Partnered with Sourcing department to create a cohesive vendor management program. • Actively aligned management on go forward strategy for department goals. • Planned, led and executed 2016 Private Brand Vendor Summit for 300 + suppliers in Shanghai, China; presenter management, budget restrictions, advanced problem solving. • Instituted Grovesite as the collective project management software across the product department. • Developed and managed the social compliance process for Petco’s licensors, including Private Brand’s Social Compliance policy. • Performed data analysis and used risk assessment tools to minimize quality and safety issues. • Collaborated with international pet industry leaders to standardize testing requirements for pet supplies. • Addressed process improvement for product lifecycle timeline which strengthened speed to market. • Orchestrated project timeline and objective for Disney’s Licensed Integrity program. Results decreased 10 hours of bi-weekly administrative work for Quality and Design departments.
Quality Assurance Technician
Petco Animal Supplies2011 – 2013
• Strong writing experience including SOP documents, business proposals, job descriptions, multi-faceted reports and procedures. • Actively engaged in financial analysis, sell through rates, ROI reviews. • Provided ad-hoc reports for cross functional departments. • Built and managed test report repository. • Proven ability analyzing metrics to evaluate business perils and make highly regarded recommendations regarding risk exposure.
