Retail + Consumer Strategy
Hunter Thomas
Providing services across strategic growth and cost planning, operating model and organizational design, and leadership development or executive coaching.
ABOUT ME
HElping BELOved brands RUN BETTER, GROW SMARTER, and REACH FURTHER
Tenacious, hard working thought leader with over a decade of experience driving strategy and transformation programs across retail and consumer product companies. After graduating from the George Washington University School of Business, joined the Hudson’s Bay Company working in finance and strategy roles following the acquisition of Saks Fifth Avenue. Advanced from associate to director in a seven year time span at PwC, through application of industry knowledge, strong emotional intelligence, and dedication to client success.
Experience
Director, Pricewaterhousecoopers advisory Services (PwC) - operations strategy
January 2022 - August 2026
High performing practice leader focused on strategy and transformation efforts for retail and consumer clients, supporting over $10MM in annual wins, responsible for nine staff consultants, and leading internal firm initiatives.
Led operating model and cost transformation program for $5B+ global apparel and footwear retailer, following acquisition by leading sporting goods retailer. Built upon existing relationships and prior strategy project work to accelerate value delivery and expand services provided.
Continued account development and consulting efforts for $80B+ global food and beverage company, working closely with c-suite leadership on strategic planning, cost transformation, and organizational restructure of global sourcing and procurement function, and led introduction of strategic supplier relationship management program.
For €80B+ global luxury retail conglomerate, led change management and program design for new mobile point of sale solution of $16B luxury jewelry retailer while managing post-M&A integration efforts and process changes.
For $1B sports and entertainment collectibles subsidiary of sports licensing business, led process improvement assessment of end-to-end supply chain management capabilities in advance of technology transformation.
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SENIOR MANAGER, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS ADVISORY SERVICES (PWC) - OPERATIONS STRATEGY
January 2019 - December 2021
For a $80B+ global food and beverage company, led three consecutive global operating model designs to leverage shared service center capabilities and deliver measurable cost savings in supply chain and procurement functions.
For a $4B+ premium brand and specialty retailer, led assessment to enable licensed inventory fulfillment and minimize company inventory investment while streamlining operations in digital and physical channels.
For a $10B+ global multi-brand apparel company, led end-to-end product costing-to-pricing lifecycle analysis to recommend margin growth opportunities and process improvements, and conducted initial software vendor review.
For $14B direct-to-consumer, digital and video commerce retailer, conducted review of merchandise capabilities enabled by technology to create long term solution portfolio development and roadmap.
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MANAGER, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS ADVISORY SERVICES (PWC) - OPERATIONS STRATEGY
July 2018 - June 2019
For €10B luxury fashion brand, led assessment to recommend new operating model as part of business model transition to lease / concession model of US department store business, working closely with senior executives.
For $500M premium womenswear brand, created strategic roadmap to boost sales and profit contributing from licensing opportunities in new and existing categories, intended to extend brand affinity with a younger consumer.
For $1.5B heritage lifestyle brand, served as advisor and thought leader to develop a pragmatic digital commerce strategic roadmap, considering technical capabilities, capital investment guidelines, and brand positioning.
For $14B direct-to-consumer, digital and video commerce retailer, created value case and corporate messaging to gain alignment for major digital transformation and post-M&A integration of two US and four international divisions.
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ASSOCIATE & SENIOR ASSOCIATE, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS ADVISORY SERVICES (PWC) - CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY / M&A ADVISORY
November 2014 - June 2018
For €100B global grocer and retailer, brought onto project to lead research and content development for US market entry and localization of retail and finance solutions, working closely with Germany-based client team. Led analysis and due diligence efforts for multiple acquisitions across beauty, food, apparel, and consumer targets.
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ANALYST, HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY - PROFIT IMPROVEMENT / CORPORATE STRATEGY
June 2013 - November 2014
Led analysis and material creation for executive leadership team to create the five-year strategic plan to grow sales and increase profitability, and supported execution of company-wide leadership summits, off-sites, and town halls. Following acquisition of Saks, Inc., led cost synergy efforts for store operations and indirect procurement.
Education
The george washington university, school of business
Bachelor of Business Administration
copenhagen business school
Exchange Student
INTERESTS
Home renovation / DIY; historical non-fiction: fitness and nutrition: outdoors and hiking