Looking for a job

Cara McIlwaine

@caramcilwaine

I am a US-based marketing and communications leader with extensive experience on national and global marketing strategy and execution.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

Looking to join a great team and hit the ground running showcasing I can integrate myself and bring value to a team and be adaptable with respect for a flexible schedule

I have led cross functional teams and projects in marketing and public relations, including Pantone’s Color of the Year launch to reach over 1 billion impressions in first 24 hours, and most recently as Marketing Manager, Murray’s Cheese in Kroger, I overdelivered on KPIs including bringing in over $1.4 million in revenue for funded demos in 1200 stores and being poised to lap that for 2025 for specialty cheese business.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Marketing Manager, Kroger

Murray's Cheese

Sep 2023 - Aug 2025 (1 year 11 months)

I 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

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