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Cara McIlwaine

@caramcilwaine

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I'm a senior marketing leader who thrives on ideating and executing end to end marketing plans and GTM strategy.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for the next great senior marketing leader position, where I can lead a great team and create successful strategies and plans that I can execute end to end, working closely with leadership to execute vision and drive revenue.

Director of Marketing with 14+ years of experience driving go-to-market strategy, brand growth, and retail marketing for leading CPG and lifestyle brands including Murray’s Cheese, Pantone, and Wine Enthusiast. Proven success leading cross-functional marketing initiatives, building strategic partnerships, and delivering measurable results across large-scale retail environments, including programs spanning 1,250+ Kroger locations. Known for translating brand strategy into high-impact campaigns, retail activations, and partnerships that increase visibility, engagement, and revenue. Almost always snacking on some good cheese.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Marketing Manager, Kroger

Murray's Cheese

Sep 2023 - Aug 2025 (1 year 11 months)

Led strategic marketing for Murray's Cheese kiosks in 1250 Kroger and banner stores in the US. I secured $1.5 million in funded product demos, executed brand events and managed digital marketing activations and digital specialty cheese optimization.

Marketing Strategy Marketing Campaigns Team Building Budget Management Contract Management Billing Event Management Digital Marketing Product Management

Assistant Manager of Events & Education

Murray's Cheese

Feb 2021 - Aug 2023 (2 years 6 months)

Planned and taught virtual classes and private online cheese events; supported reopening of in-person class and event program to add revenue stream; managed client relationships and sales and billing administration

Event Planning Event Coordination Event Marketing Education Sales CPG Client Relationship Management

Corporate Gifting Associate

Murray's Cheese

Oct 2020 - Jan 2021 (3 months)

Seasonal remote Q4 customer experience position focused on national corporate gifting sales for NYC-based specialty cheese business Murray's Cheese.
Managed client relationships, upselling and fulfilling corporate and multiple address orders at peak times.
Mastered CSV upload and Netsuite ordering, invoicing and billing.

Marketing Manager

Pantone

Mar 2019 - Mar 2020 (1 year)

Contract trade marketing disseminating brand material and sales plan for Pantone US dealers, supporting marketing director and taking over Color of the Year project global execution including lto products, collaborations and agency PR and launch event in NYC

Event Planning Client Relationship Management Brand Partnerships Marketing Project Management

Public Relations Manager

Wine Enthusiast

Sep 2016 - Jul 2018 (1 year 10 months)

Developed public relations strategy for wine lifestyle editorial brand and wine accessory business; created and managed email strategy for annual Wine Star Wine Award Event; created and implemented tracking strategy; executed 16+ public relations strategies for varied magazine and product launches

Event Planning Marketing Project Management Public Relations Public Relations Strategy Email Campaigns

Marketing Coordinator

Zoup!

Mar 2015 - Dec 2015 (9 months)

Joined Zoup! as it sought to expand its grocery upscale broth to CPG shelves, helped introduce to Albertsons, Kroger and expand Whole Foods shelf space. Improved product demo program and increased revenue and ROI. Also set up new SKU on 1WorldSync Kroger new item setup global platform.

Trade Shows Trade Marketing Grocery Vendor Relations Shipping Product Demos

Marketing Coordinator & Editor

Beverage Media Group

Apr 2010 - Dec 2014 (4 years 8 months)

Started at Beverage Media Group (now part of Provi) as an Assistant Editor covering trade alcohol news, and moved into Associate Editor role and balanced also adding Marketing Coordinator for the publication and the company's wholesale pricing and site building business, as a dual responsibilities role, where I both generated content and maintained content calendar and email marketing plan.

Copy Editing Written And Verbal Communication Social Media Strategy Content Creation Sponsored Brand Ads Industry Events Food And Beverage Trends