In Conversation with Rachel Webre
Tell us about your background:
I began my career in L'Oréal's Operations rotational program at a manufacturing plant, where I learned the fundamentals of how products are made. I later moved to HQ and spent seven years managing new product launches for brands such as Kiehl's, Lancôme, and SkinCeuticals. In those roles, I managed cross-functional teams, owned package sourcing and development, led COGs, and kept timelines on track to help launches run smoothly.
After ten years at L'Oréal, and having spent much of my free time involved in nonprofit work, I decided to pursue that interest more fully. I spent the next five years in leadership roles at two nonprofits - one serving immigrants, the other focusing on clean water. The work was meaningful and gave me the chance to grow in new ways, but eventually I realized how much I missed the creativity and energy of bringing products to life.
For the past five years, I've been back in the industry in roles centered on operations, supply chain, and launch management. I led cross-functional commercialization for Snuggle and Soft Scrub, built the supply chain function from scratch at a pet pharmacy start-up, and led the Marketing Project Management team at Sol de Janeiro during a period of rapid growth. Across all of these roles, I've developed a reputation for bringing order to chaos, building structure, and helping teams work more effectively together.
A few months ago, I launched my own consultancy, Goods 2 Great. I work with beauty and consumer brands to support product launches, packaging sourcing, and operational planning, bringing structure and guidance to teams during periods of growth.
Best career advice you've ever received?
That you're the only one who is going to drive your career forward. You can't just sit around and wait for people to do it for you.
How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?
I used to define success almost purely based on title. That has definitely evolved over time! Now as I'm starting to build my own business, every new client or project is a success in my book!
How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?
It has been important in helping me to find jobs and even grow within organizations.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
Go to events, and don't be shy! You never know who people know.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelwebre/
Website: www.goods2great.com
