Kate Harper
About Kate Harper
Kate Harper serves as the Chief Merchant and Head of Product at Hive Brands, where she has significantly enhanced customer engagement through innovative programs and improved digital experiences. With a strong educational background and diverse experience in the food and retail sectors, she focuses on sustainability and customer satisfaction.
Work at Hive Brands
Kate Harper serves as the Chief Merchant and Head of Product at Hive Brands since 2020. In her role, she has developed and launched a Membership program aimed at enhancing customer engagement and retention. Harper has also improved the Autoship experience, optimizing the subscription model to increase customer satisfaction. She created marketing initiatives such as Autoship & Save and Sweet Deals to drive sales and foster customer loyalty. Additionally, she has led the re-platforming of Hive Brands to a Shopify 2.0 theme, significantly enhancing the digital customer experience. Harper manages a catalogue of over 2000 SKUs and 300 makers, focusing on socially conscious and sustainable brands.
Education and Expertise
Kate Harper has a diverse educational background. She studied at The Chapin School from 1989 to 1998, followed by Phillips Academy from 1998 to 2002. Harper earned her A.B. in History and Political Science from Brown University from 2003 to 2006. She then pursued a Master's Degree in Food Studies/Food Systems at New York University from 2012 to 2014. This combination of education has equipped her with a strong foundation in both the humanities and food systems, contributing to her expertise in product management and merchandising.
Previous Work Experience
Before her current position at Hive Brands, Kate Harper held several roles in the food and retail sectors. She was the VP of Merchandising and Operations at Mouth from 2013 to 2018, where she focused on product sourcing and operational efficiency. Harper also served as VP of Ecommerce at Dean & DeLuca for 10 months in 2018-2019. Earlier in her career, she worked at Le Pain Quotidien in various capacities, including Manager and Franchise Support Manager. Additionally, she was involved in hiring, training, and development at wichcraft and provided ecommerce consulting for Levain Bakery.
Achievements in Product Development
At Hive Brands, Kate Harper has made significant contributions to product development and customer engagement. She has sourced new makers that meet the Hive Five™ vetting criteria, ensuring high sustainability standards in consumer packaged goods. Harper's initiatives, including the Membership program and marketing programs like Autoship & Save, have been instrumental in improving customer retention and loyalty. Her leadership in re-platforming the company's digital presence has also enhanced the overall customer experience.