Lua Obrien

About Lua Obrien

I’m a product leader with 15+ years of experience in the housewares industry, focused on building strong portfolios and innovative product launches that drive growth. I’ve led products end to end—from early concept and consumer insight through development, manufacturing, and commercialization—across large, complex assortments.I enjoy turning consumer and market insights into products that make every day better. I work closely with cross-functional partners across Product, Engineering, Design, Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain to bring products to market, and I’m especially passionate about creating scalable processes that make planning and execution better, faster, and more effective

Experience

1. Global Category Director

   Oxo

   Mar 2018 — Present · New York, NY, US

   Lead the team managing the $125MM+ category of Tools and Gadgets, from strategy of new launches to support of existing business. Create an innovative, strategic, and robust five-year pipeline portfolio of products with launches in both new and existing categories that balances revenue, feasibility, and team capacity. Past pipeline development has led to category growth of over 50%. Oversee a seven person team of Product Managers and Engineers to direct product development fromconcept ideation to ship.Drive cross-functional alignment for new product launches, liaising between Sales, Marketing, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure a successful launch.Manage an existing portfolio of almost products across multiple sub-brands, including lifecycle planning, margin analysis, quality management, and new sales opportunities.Led OXO’s relaunch of the POP Container line, from the development of a patented product to theexecution of a high-priority marketing launch. The new line of products led to an 100% increase in sales.Conduct detailed consumer research and market analysis to determine category growth opportunities and areas for product innovation to help create successful, compelling products.Work closely with Sales team to drive business in brick and mortar and online retailers in the US andglobally, particularly through a deep understanding of retailer needs and trends.Work closely with internal and external design resources to ensure products meet all design and brand requirements.Led the team that implemented SmartSheet as a scheduling and data management tool, including development of OXO-specific software customizations, internal programs to drive user adoption and day-to-day maintenance and troubleshooting of the site.Previous category experience includes Food Storage, Coffee, Salt and Pepper, and Barware.

Education

• University of Pennsylvania

  BA, Major in Diplomatic History, Minors in French and Fine Arts

  2006 — 2010

Skills

• Product Development
• Strategic Planning
• Social Media
• Microsoft Office
• Research
• Marketing
• Market Research
• Editing
• Management
• Writing
• Nonprofits
• French