GARY TUET
General Manager
Hong Kong
Summary
Results-driven executive with 28+ years of experience in product development, manufacturing, strategic sourcing for the global toy industry. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, high-quality plush toys and soft goods. Passionate about integrating technology and design to create engaging play experiences.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager, Asia Office
Goffa International Corp
01.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: Goffa, headquartered in New Jersey, USA, is a global leader in the manufacturing and marketing of plush toys for children and pets
- With over 40 years of expertise, Goffa excels in designing and producing high-quality plush products that delight customers worldwide
- Http://www.goffausa.com/
- Develop & operate a merchandising office with multifunctional teams, based in Hong Kong
- Lead product development, design, sales, and merchandising operations
- Assist in managing customer projects, sales meetings, and maintaining business relationship with global sourcing offices of wholesale and retail customers
- Research for technical tools and applications to enhance production efficiency and product quality
- Ensure quality proficiency management (QA, Testing, QC and Factory compliances processes)
- Build HR system & practice - Recruiting, training, mentoring and monitoring staff development to maintain performance level and support operations while upholding company culture
- Pursue operation process enhancements to achieve efficiency and minimize product and quality risk
- Goffa, headquartered in New Jersey, USA, is a global leader in the manufacturing and marketing of plush toys for children and pets
- With over 40 years of expertise, Goffa excels in designing and producing high-quality plush products that delight customers worldwide
- Http://www.goffausa.com/
Director of Costing and Procurement
Dandee International LLC
03.2023 - 09.2023
- Company Overview: Dandee, a prominent US designer, manufacturer, and supplier of seasonal plush and decor, has been a market leader in animated plush and pet toys for 70 years
- In 2020, Dandee expanded its portfolio by acquiring Animal Adventure LLC
- Https://www.dandeeint.com/
- Reported to the Senior Vice President of Operations
- Led China's operation teams (Guangzhou & Yangzhou, 200+ staff) in Product costing, Material sourcing, QA/QC, Production control to achieve profit goals through strategic procurement
- Developed a strategic sourcing framework to expand product and material categories
- Achieved product cost reduction and established cost benchmarks by developing tools, conducting cost studies and analyses, and collaborating with product engineering and strategic sourcing
- Determine effective supplier business terms by monitoring global financial market changes
- Oversaw supplier capacity planning, quality performance, compliance practices, and identified supplier capabilities for optimal production allocations to achieve profit goals
- Improved operational efficiency in back-end departments and minimized product and process risks by implementing product engineering, risk assessment and material science for prototyping, and manufacturing practice enhancements
- Conducted ongoing research on production technology integrations and new material development and applications referencing to world-renowned product brands
- Managed order business with an annual sales volume of US$ 200+ Million
- Dandee, a prominent US designer, manufacturer, and supplier of seasonal plush and decor, has been a market leader in animated plush and pet toys for 70 years
- In 2020, Dandee expanded its portfolio by acquiring Animal Adventure LLC
- Https://www.dandeeint.com/
- Drove profitability by optimizing cost and value efficiencies through collaborative efforts with cross-functional teams and implementing process enhancements, achieving double-digit growth in gross profit percentage
- Identified and rectified process deficiencies, leading to operational modernizations and significant improvements in product quality and market positioning
- Supported the implementation of Oracle/NetSuite for Dandee teams
- Facilitated the migration of operations for Dandee/Animal Adventure
General Manager, Asia Office
Animal Adventure LLC
08.2011 - 03.2023
- Company Overview: Animal Adventure, based in Minneapolis, USA, specializes in manufacturing premium and innovative children's and baby softline household products
- Https://www.animaladventure.com
- Established, developed and operated procurement offices and showroom with multifunctional teams across Hong Kong, Shenzhen and regions in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shandong
- In charge of leading / maintaining / enhancing Asia operations
- Planned and maintained budget resources for multiple offices
- Recruited, trained, mentored staffs' development to sustain performance levels and cultivate an ideal working environment
- Developed strategic sourcing for products, materials, manufacturing technology, and high-performance manufacturers to achieve procurement goals
- Conducted cost analysis and negotiations to secure profit goals across product developments, material sourcing and production processes
- Developed and launched proprietary production control and quality systems to oversee production planning, quality proficiency management (QA, Testing & QC) and supply chain management
- Managed a supplier base of 20+ factories across multiple regions of China
- Oversaw supplier capacity, performance, compliance & relationship management with continuous enhancements through a supplier scoring system
- Supporting sales and business management with Global Sourcing offices of US, EU, AU, and Asia retailers / wholesalers fostering new business growth and maintaining double-digit sales growth year over year
- Pursued operation process enhancements to achieve efficiency and minimize production and quality risk
- Collaborated with the US corporate office & sales office to provide back-end support for new business development, product category expansion and achieving financial goals
- Animal Adventure, based in Minneapolis, USA, specializes in manufacturing premium and innovative children's and baby softline household products
- Https://www.animaladventure.com
- Established and scaled the Asia procurement operations, expanding supplier networks across multiple regions in China
- Designed and implemented a supplier sourcing and management system, creating a sustainable supplier base across diverse product categories, thereby expanding client base and business opportunities
- Drove double-digit growth in gross profit percentage through cost optimization and process enhancements
- Collaborated with well-known retailers, successfully doubling the client base and consistently achieving double-digit year-over-year sales volume growth
General Merchandising Manager
Mackon Toys Manufacturing Company
01.2006 - 10.2010
- Company Overview: Mackon is a Premium gifts & Soft Toys Manufacturer located Dongguan, China
- Responsibilities: Product developments, Engineering, Marketing and Sales, Materials and Vendor sourcing, Costing, Production Planning, QA QC, Factory compliance, and Logistics
- Managed merchandisers and engineers to achieve efficient product development schedule
- Collaborated with customers providing expertise in PD through post-production and after-sales services
- Organized sales meetings and customer visits at all levels of seniority
- Supervised the production line, proactively addressing issues to meet tight shipment schedule
- Oversaw the factory compliance team to maintain factory audits practice and documentation, coordinating with all departments for audit preparations
- Initiated material sourcing and transitioned supplier base to mainland China, resulting in 25% cost savings
- Recruited and trained merchandising, sourcing, and factory compliance teams to support overall operations
- Developed and designed marketing tools for promotion: Website, Internet tools, Leaflets and Brochures
- Mackon is a Premium gifts & Soft Toys Manufacturer located Dongguan, China
Senior Merchandiser
Linktone Industrial Limited
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Company Overview: Linktone is a Soft Toys, Premium Doll fashions & accessories Manufacturer based in Hong Kong with production factory located Guangzhou / Dongguan, China
- Responsibilities: Product development, Sales, Costing, Production, QA QC, Factory compliance, and Logistics
- Prepared PD sample specifications and documents from customer inquiries to the factory
- Coordinated project resources for seamless operations
- E.g
- Successfully achieved Sanrio-approved supplier
- Monitored product developments and ensured sample quality and timely schedules
- Managed communications and emails with China factory for project status update
- Updated quality assurance and social compliance requirements for the China factory and vendors
- Travelled to the China factory for regular meetings with production and engineering colleagues
- Collaborated with clients: Mattel, Sanrio, Li & Fung on PD sampling, production, logistics, and after-sales services
- Created marketing tools including website, internet tools, leaflets, and brochures
- Linktone is a Soft Toys, Premium Doll fashions & accessories Manufacturer based in Hong Kong with production factory located Guangzhou / Dongguan, China
Merchandiser
04.1997 - 01.2001
- Responsibilities: Product development, Sales, Costing, Production, QA QC, Factory compliance, and Logistics
- Prepared PD sample specifications and documents from customer inquiries to the factory
- Coordinated project resources for seamless operations
- E.g
- Successfully achieved Sanrio-approved supplier
- Monitored product developments and ensured sample quality and timely schedules
- Managed communications and emails with China factory for project status update
- Updated quality assurance and social compliance requirements for the China factory and vendors
- Travelled to the China factory for regular meetings with production and engineering colleagues
- Collaborated with clients: Mattel, Sanrio, Li & Fung on PD sampling, production, logistics, and after-sales services
- Created marketing tools including website, internet tools, leaflets, and brochures
Education
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours - Major in Marketing
The University of Guelph
Ontario 09.1992 - 1 1996
Grade 12-13 - Ontario Academic Courses / Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Sir Sandford Fleming Secondary School
Ontario 09.1990 - 7 1992
Skills
Microsoft Office
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Adobe
Acrobat Professional
Photoshop
Oracle
NetSuite
Multimedia
YouTube streaming
OBS
iMovie
Mixer
Behringer X32
Attributes
- Energetic, resourceful, and dependable professional.
- Passionate about technology with strong coordination, organizational, and analytical skills.
- Able to maintain focus in demanding and multitasking work environments.
- Thrives in challenging situations, consistently finding effective solutions for multiple assignments and tasks.
Academic Awards
- 1992, Certificate of Distinction - in the Descartes Mathematics Contest - University of Waterloo (Canada)
- 1992, Ontario Scholar - Honour Graduation with average above 80% - Ontario Ministry of Education (Canada)
Beliefs Interests
- Integrity
- Visual Art
- Design & Movie
- Technology & Innovation
- Hospitality industry
Timeline
General Manager, Asia Office
Goffa International Corp
01.2024 - Current
Director of Costing and Procurement
Dandee International LLC
03.2023 - 09.2023
General Manager, Asia Office
Animal Adventure LLC
08.2011 - 03.2023
General Merchandising Manager
Mackon Toys Manufacturing Company
01.2006 - 10.2010
Senior Merchandiser
Linktone Industrial Limited
01.2001 - 01.2006
Merchandiser
04.1997 - 01.2001
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours - Major in Marketing
The University of Guelph
09.1992 - 1 1996
Grade 12-13 - Ontario Academic Courses / Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Sir Sandford Fleming Secondary School
09.1990 - 7 1992