Ana Claudia Vasconcelos

Covering for the head of the department during her maternity leave, I am currently managing the department and overseeing all new collections of the private label while still giving support to our beverage industry sales team. Trend research, art direction, concept development and product development are done on a daily basis.

Product designer in the department of Trend & Design for the German glassware company Ritzenhoff, which specialises in crystal glassware and glassware decoration. For the private lable I did trend research, create new concepts and briefings, manage the relationship with external artists as well develop graphic designs for the collection. For the drinks and hospitality industry I developed concepts and presentations of new glassware shapes as well as decoration.

- Responsible for all European key accounts mostly located in DE and FR - such as Digitec Galaxus, Aubert, Babymarkt, Brack and Manor. Developed meaningful relationships with the customers and worked collaboratively on account strategies in order to achieve the sales targets. - Trained and co-managed the new EU sales support.

- Managed all small stores and key accounts in DACH. Built strong relationship with buyers, negotiated terms, planed promotions and marketing activities, as well as insured the appropriate assortment and brand presentation. - Assisted the senior sales manager with UK key accounts and Amazon, ultimately managing all catalogues in Amazon. - Identified new opportunities, acquired new clients and grew existing accounts significantly in the first year, achieving 114% of the sales target for the year.

- Initially hired to provide temporary all around support to the EU team with the role quickly evolving into management of all DACH independent boutiques. - Streamlined processes and documents, realised web audits and onboarded new clients. - Worked with Marketing to adapt all copy to the EU market and on the development of EU catalogues.

- Developed drinkware and barware for own brand and external clients. - Liaised with clients in all tiers including: drinks industry consultants and brands, hotels, restaurants, bars and agencies. Featured clients: Diageo, Beam Suntory, Jägermeister. - Developed projects from concept through production, oversaw projects manufactured oveseas as well as by the in-house ceramic and wood workshops. - Established relationships with national and international suppliers. Including procuring and buying.

- Assisted the director whilst managing the day-to-day of the office and the company’s brand. - Developed all creative content for marketing, competitions and exhibitions. Following up with the marketing plan and managing the company’s website and all social media outlets. - First point of contact of all clients and contractors, developed leads and opportunities. - Other responsibilities included: HR and recruitment; implementing new processes and procedures; managing the director’s diary; basic accounting.

Responsible for engaging with visitors, selling exhibition and event tickets, supporting memberships, assisting within both the public and private events programme, greeting and assisting school groups, liaising with duty managers and security throughout the day to ensure the smooth running of the gallery and ensuring the safety and security of the both the collection and temporary exhibitions. Assisting the education department with the Family Activity Base.

Research and product development within a world-renowned studio, creating contemporary tableware pieces, model making and presentation folders.

Immersed in the factory environment, gained a deeper knowledge of the ceramic industry and developed pieces executed in experimental ways exploring the factory processes.

In this POS and merchandising agency, I coordinated client/agency relationship for the biggest food distributor in Brazil and Nokia. It included brief meetings with clients; projects development and financial management; brief meetings with creative team.

Assisted the designer/owner of this high end furniture company with product development; technical drawing of furniture; client follow ups; interior design projects; modelling and rendering products; market research; costs estimates.

Focused in tableware and lighting.

Product Design. Final project focused in ceramics and lighting.