KHOA A. TRINH
+1.424.522.2958 | khoa.trinh@yahoo.com

Results-driven Marketing and Business Development Professional with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, category management, and marketing execution across multiple industries, including consumer goods, retail, entertainment, and consulting. Proven track record of achieving measurable business growth, developing innovative tools, and leading high-performing teams. Adept at fostering strategic partnerships, optimizing product categories, and driving revenue through data analysis, consumer insights, and creative marketing strategies. Recognized for excellence with awards such as the Golden Ring Award at Pepsi.

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

KEY SKILLS

• Category Management & Strategy

• Marketing Program Development

• Business Analysis & Data Tools

• Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Consumer Insights & Behavioral Trends

• Trade Marketing & Promotions

• P&L Management

• Retailer Partnership Development

• Advanced Analytics: Nielsen, IRI, Spectra

• Tools: ProSpace Intactix, MS Office & Adobe Suite

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Reel Irie - Fishing, Chartering, & Touring

• Blast Enery Ltd.

• LA Fuel LLC

• KoPhuff Inc.

• Doc Slyder Inc.

• Pinky's Kitchen

• Grand Ole Creamery

• Rancho Bravo Taco

• OPM Fashion Ltd.

ENTREPRENEUR

Vice President of Global Operation
COSMOPOLITAN PARTNERS (GMB USA) 2020 - 2024

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration - Marketing
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 2001 - 2003

Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY 1998 - 2000

Economics, Scholarship
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 1996 - 1998

Security Analyst Administration, MOS 2100
UNITED STATES MARINE CORP 1996

General Business Courses, Running Start
LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE 1993 - 1996

High School Diploma, Honors
MARK MORRIS HIGH SCHOOL 1991 - 1995

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Developed tools and strategies recognized as industry best practices at Pepsi and Unilever.

• Secured and retained category captaincy with Target and other major retailers.

• Grew product categories by over 30% for various brands and businesses.

• Nominated for the Golden Ring Award at PepsiCo.

• Founded and operated six successful businesses across diverse industries.

CONSULTING

• Global Operations Leadership: Spearheaded the end-to-end management of global supply chain operations across China, Korea, and Japan, ensuring seamless coordination with U.S. stakeholders and delivering operational excellence aligned with strategic goals.

• Strategic Budget Management: Directed substantial budgets for international procurement, logistics, and distribution, optimizing resource allocation and achieving cost savings while ensuring high-quality outputs, mirroring the requirements of managing large-scale university operations.

• Change Management Expertise: Successfully implemented process improvement initiatives, introducing cutting-edge ERP tools and performance metrics to streamline operations and enhance team efficiency, demonstrating readiness to lead operational transformations at Vanderbilt.

• Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement: Built and maintained robust relationships with international suppliers, U.S. retailers, and third-party distributors, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared success—key for working with diverse university stakeholders.

• Commitment to Excellence and Innovation: Continuously improved global operations by adopting innovative technologies and methodologies, reflecting the forward-thinking approach necessary to drive Vanderbilt’s communications and marketing division.

Senior Category Development Manager
UNILEVER PLC 2004 - 2008

• Brand Transformation: Directed category strategies for Dove, AXE, and Slim Fast, repositioning these brands to align with evolving consumer expectations. This included leveraging innovative marketing approaches to create compelling narratives that drove double-digit growth and strengthened Unilever's presence in key categories.

• Destination Retail Strategy: Achieved exclusivity for Unilever’s personal care brands at Target Corporation, transforming Target into a destination for premium personal care. This strategic partnership established Unilever’s leadership in the category and deepened consumer trust in its products.

• Award-Winning Marketing Execution: Conceptualized and implemented cross-merchandising strategies that revitalized Unilever’s grocery business, resulting in a 36% YOY growth. This strategic vision positioned Unilever brands as must-haves in the grocery channel and secured Vendor of the Year recognition.

Category Development Manager
PEPSICOLA, INC. 2000 - 2004

• Transformational Campaigns: Led the creation and execution of NFL and NBA marketing campaigns and celebrity sponsorships, such as the Britney Spears partnership, to elevate PepsiCo's brand as a lifestyle destination. These initiatives increased brand awareness and positioned Pepsi products as cultural staples, drawing in new and loyal consumers.

• New Product Branding: Spearheaded go-to-market strategies for highly successful launches, including Mt. Dew Code Red and Starbucks Energy Drinks, ensuring comprehensive brand integration across consumer touchpoints. These campaigns combined data insights and creative storytelling to differentiate Pepsi products in a competitive marketplace.

• Regional Destination Strategy: Designed region-specific programs for the Southwest market, aligning brand messaging with local consumer preferences. This tailored approach reinforced PepsiCo’s image as a customer-focused brand and resulted in a 5% category growth and 18% Pepsi sales growth.

Georgia-Pacific - Created marketing programs and brand strategies for the paper towel and toilet paper categories, enhancing brand presence and consumer engagement.

Constellation Brands - Expanded consumer and marketing programs, strengthening partnerships with major retailers to drive category growth.

Electronic Arts (EA) - Opened new markets by designing strategies to target female demographics and develop retail partnerships, enhancing EA's consumer base and market share.

Hershey Chocolate - Transitioned the focus toward premium chocolates and created strategic marketing programs to position Target as a leading confectionery destination.

Philips Electronics - Partnered with Target to establish branding strategies for their electric toothbrush category, driving brand visibility and consumer adoption.

• Consumer Engagement Programs: Designed and executed the award-winning “Upgrade and Save” program, positioning Warner Brothers as the go-to brand for catalog and recent-release movies. This initiative increased weekly sales from $15M to $19M, establishing Warner Brothers as a trusted entertainment provider.

• Brand Partnership Excellence: As Category Captain with Best Buy, developed comprehensive strategic plans that optimized in-store experiences and enhanced Warner Brothers’ brand visibility, transforming Best Buy into a destination for movie enthusiasts.

• Innovative Brand Integration: Directed in-store merchandising strategies, including signage, promotional fixtures, and category allocations, that seamlessly aligned with Warner Brothers’ branding goals. These efforts enhanced brand identity, increased consumer awareness, and strengthened relationships with key retail partners.

Director of Category Management
WARNER BROTHERS ENTERTAINMENT 2010 - 2012

Director of Public Relation & Communications
COSMOPOLITAN PARTNERS (GMB USA) 2016 - 2020

Director of Marketing
COSMOPOLITAN PARTNERS (GMB USA) 2012 - 2016