Current Resume

1. Eric J. Olson
643 Casa Loma Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL. 33435
Mobile: (208) 841-6429
Email: eric.j.olson@me.com
Career Summary
Results-oriented product and category merchandise manager with a broad range of experience. Diverse
background in e-commerce, catalog merchandising, consumer packaged goods and software product
management, B2B sales and customer relationship management. Experienced with new product
development, international sourcing, budgeting and financial management and analysis. Reputation for strong
work ethic, financial acumen, leadership, excellent communication skills, deep product and business
knowledge, and consistently meeting goals and objectives. Seeking a marketing leadership position with P&L
responsibility.
Relevant Skills and Expertise
Category Management Profit and Loss Merchandising
International Sourcing Experience Vendor Management
Negotiating Product Strategy Project Management
Software Product Budgeting Customer Relationship
Management CPG Management Building
Communications Brand Management Financial Analysis
Marketing Strategy
Professional Experience
Director of E-Commerce and Catalog Merchandising, Technology
Office Depot – Boca Raton, Florida.
April 2011 to Current
Managed printing hardware and consumable product lines for online and direct sales channels.
Coordinated cross channel advertising and promotional schedule to maximize promotional effectiveness
in managed sales channels. Developed sales centric programs to increase the sales and profitability of
printing hardware and consumables. Redesigned catalog layouts to improve the overall shopping
experience. Routinely worked with the sales force to respond to requests for quotes and sales bids.
Specific accomplishments include:
Managed $860M of total category sales
Exceeded annual profitability goals by $7.4M
Increased overall gross margins by 100 bps.
Developed and launched an innovative sales program to bundle printing hardware and
consumables.
Grew holiday sales in by 30% and profits by 42% over previous years results.
Negotiated lower costs for competitive bid situations.

2. Merchandise Category Manager
Corporate Express, A Staples Company – Broomfield, Colorado.
August 2003 to March 2009
Managed multiple consumer product-lines across e-commerce, catalog and direct sales channels.
Developed private label product strategies, specifications, positioning and packaging. Routinely created
and presented strategic and tactical category plans to executive leadership. Refined overall product
assortment and aligned sales efforts to simplify the customer shopping experience. Negotiated strategic
multi-year sourcing agreements with domestic and international vendors. Established product-line and
overall category pricing strategy. Worked cross-functionally to successfully direct and implement tactical
business plans and improve supply chain performance. Utilized NPD and third party data for competitive
market intelligence and to track key product and industry trends. Communicated periodic updates on
competitive information and sales and marketing plans to executive management and the field sales force.
Worked with sales professionals and customers to grow sales and profits. Developed and tracked sales
projections, budgets and performance. Created sophisticated financial model to project operating results
and facilitate decision-making. Managed direct and indirect reporting relationships.Specific
accomplishments include:
Managed $750+ million of total category sales.
Grew sales an average of 10.8% each year over 5 years.
Improved catalog visual merchandising and e-commerce product presentation to drive sales of
higher margin products
Increased sales of higher margin products by 19.7%.
Developed and managed multiple $100 million per year vendors.
Negotiated over $1 billion of direct and wholesale vendor agreements.
Developed product-centric sales and marketing collateral for use by the sales team.
Developed $15M of specific custom made products.
Product Manager
Arthur Anderson – Chicago, Illinois.
November 2000 to April 2002
Managed the development, marketing, sales and implementation of a comprehensive web-based risk
management software solution. Evaluated and benchmarked competitive solutions, identified key
differentiation points to leverage during the sales process and identified future development
opportunities. Created product road maps and developed product requirement documents to guide
future development efforts. Developed and communicated the solutions strategic and tactical marketing
plan to Andersen’s offices globally. Conducted sales demonstrations to highlight solution functionality.
Specific accomplishments include:
Secured over $10 million of new business.
Managed third party software developer to ensure all development targets were met on time.
Conducted on-going product acceptance testing.
Identified and documented “Voice of the Customer,” input to drive functionality improvements.
Managed solution marketing and development budgets.
Developed training materials and curriculum to train Andersen consultants in the product.

3. Finance Manager – Business Paper Group
Boise Cascade Corporation – Bensenville, Illinois.
October 1999 to August 2000
Provided financial leadership, analysis and project management expertise to the sales and marketing
function for a $650 million per year business group.
Directed the annual strategic planning process for the business unit. Presented overall strategic
plan to senior leadership.
Worked cross-functionally to ensure strategic plans, manufacturing capabilities and support
services were aligned with the overall sales efforts.
Developed and maintained the business unit’s balanced scorecard.
Performed monthly key performance indicator reporting and variance analysis.
Calculated and maintained manufacturing cost curve information to ensure production costs were
balanced against sales forecasts, production schedules and product prices.
Project Manager – Internal Audit
Boise Cascade Corporation – Bensenville, Illinois.
July 1996 to October 1999
Managed financial and operational audit projects to provide high quality analytical and consulting services
to internal customers and ensure accounting and operational controls were effective.
Supported the redesign of Boise Cascade Trucking operational processes.
Evaluated transportation processes and financial information to recommend process
improvements.
Developed competitive benchmarking study evaluating key performance indicators for use by
executive leadership and the board of directors.
Supported the installation of integrated sales, purchasing and warehouse management system
within the Building Products Distribution Division.
Commissioned Officer
United States Marine Corps.
December 1988 to October 1994
Education
Master’s of Business Administration – Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. Bloomington,
Indiana.
Bachelor’s of Business Administration – Iowa State University. Ames, Iowa.