Rita Chen

Direct to Consumer (DTC) Channel Innovation - Strategic Fixer | Connector of Dots | Driving Growth & Transformation in Beauty

New York, New York, United States

About

Strategic Fixer | Connector of Dots | Driving Growth & Transformation in Beauty With 15+ years in the beauty industry across Marketing, Commercial, Packaging/R&D, and Supply Chain, I bring a connect-the-dots approach that bridges strategy and execution. From Global and NOAM markets to high-growth regions like China, India, and the Middle East, I have led initiatives that redefined channels, optimized operations, and accelerated growth in DTC and Travel Retail. I am a trusted thought partner and operator who translates vision into action — building frameworks, aligning stakeholders, and operationalizing transformation at scale. Known as a “fixer,” I excel at bringing order to complexity, driving governance, and influencing outcomes across highly matrixed organizations. Passionate about empowering teams, I create environments where innovation thrives, risks are learning opportunities, and strategy becomes impact. My leadership blends analytics and intuition to prioritize what matters most and deliver measurable, lasting results.

Experience

  • The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (Hybrid)
    • Vice President - Direct to Consumer (DTC) Channel Innovation - Global Packaging
      Jul 2022 - Present · 4 yrs

      - Positioned enterprise for success during COVID by developing online-ready packaging specifications, internal transit testing, and elevating the unboxing experience highlighting sustainability, cost-efficiency, & consumer-centricity. - Manage Amazon integration across 9 brands, achieving 99.5% chargeback-free execution and “Amazon Fast Pass” designation status for 98% of SKUs to minimize out-of-stock risk and increase above-the-fold visibility. - Serve as corporate SME for anti-counterfeit technology in China, achieving breakeven in year one and delivering 6X COGS salvage by year three ($3M+). - Established and evolved the DTC Channel Innovation team as a strategic bridge between Packaging, Technology, and Brand, contextualizing innovation through consumer insights and trend-based storytelling. - Introduced design-led innovation to Travel Retail, driving retailer exclusives, and cutting speed-to-market by 50% through standardized workflows and upfront risk assessment. - Organized annual Packaging Innovation Day and moderated design-thinking workshops that generated 80+ actionable ideas, strengthening C-suite visibility and embedding a culture of cross-functional creativity.

    • Executive Director, Direct to Consumer (DTC) Channel Innovation
      Jan 2019 - Jul 2022 · 3 yrs 7 mos

  • Director, US Channel (Owned + Wholesale) Marketing at Bare Escentuals
    Jan 2017 - Dec 2018 · 2 yrs

    - Partnered with senior leadership to redefine the North America growth model, streamlining the portfolio into five core franchises to reduce complexity, improve productivity, and drive sustainable profitability. - Expanded retail footprint by opening additional Ulta and Sephora doors and negotiating premium gondola placement, strengthening visibility, shoppability, and long-term growth. - Unlocked $20M+ in white-space opportunities for the innovation pipeline, leveraging exclusivity programs and retail partnerships to secure incremental placements and high-impact activations. - Shaped integrated marketing strategy (media, social, PR, retail.com, VM) to boost consumer engagement and accelerate omnichannel growth. - Built and led a high-performing team of four, fostering accountability, cross-functional collaboration, and commercial impact.

  • The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (8 yrs 8 mos)
    • Director - Global Makeup Marketing - Color Makeup
      Apr 2014 - Dec 2016 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      - Directed global strategy for a $180M+ makeup portfolio, delivering sustained growth (~+7% CAGR) and building category leadership across lip, face, and emerging technology platforms. - Drove market leadership with Double Wear and Pure Color Envy franchises, achieving #1 rankings in multiple priority markets (U.S., Europe, Asia) and expanding the global consumer base through 360° activations and localized innovation pipelines. - Spearheaded luxury fashion collaborations (Victoria Beckham, Courrèges) that elevated brand equity and prestige positioning across makeup and skincare. - Advanced compliance governance by designing and phased multi-year FDA/EU regulatory frameworks, safeguarding revenues while minimizing liability exposure. - Championed digital and technology innovation to modernize POS engagement and strengthen consumer connectivity globally. - Partnered with regional leadership to shape market-entry strategies rooted in consumer insights and accelerate emerging market expansion. - Achieved $3.5M in operational savings through packaging and value analysis, balancing innovation investment with profitability.

    • Director - Global Makeup Marketing - Face
      Jul 2013 - Mar 2014 · 9 mos

    • Manager - Global Makeup Marketing - Face
      Jan 2012 - Jun 2013 · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Marketing & eCommerce Intern at HEI Hotel & Resorts
    Jun 2007 - Aug 2007 · 3 mos

  • Research Department Head at Subaru of America
    Jan 2007 - May 2007 · 5 mos