Experience

JRoss Retail Recruiters

• Canada
• Staffing and Recruiting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Recruiter

  • Apr 2015 - Present

  JRoss Retail Recruiters is a leading industry recognized recruitment firm specializing in retail and wholesale mid – level, senior andexecutive placements. http//:www.jrossrecruiters.comMandated to fill needs of JRoss Retail / Wholesale industry clients in terms of sourcing, pre-screening, performing background checks and all necessary tasks related to filling positions within their company. Assist organizations with their developmental and recruitment strategy plans, define roles within the organization and how they collaborate within the overall workflow process. Consultative approach in analyzing and recommending industry best practices, market compensation, retention.



Patty Shapiro Recruiters

• Staffing and Recruiting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Retail Recruitment Director/Recruitment Partner

  • Jun 2014 - Apr 2015

  Patty Shapiro & Associates is Canada’s premiere Fashion and Retail recruitment agency, specializing in headhunting top-tier retail and wholesale professionals. Our proprietary recruiting methods offer considerable competitive advantage by proactively seeking top talent who are passively searching for the next step in their career development.We represent a wide range of Fortune 500 companies as well as rapidly growing privately-held organizations. Our expertise is connecting top talent with top companies, while solidifying long lasting relationships with industry icons. By offering trend forecasting services, freelance opportunities, as well as retail and wholesale recruitment, Patty Shapiro & Associates has a unique and focused insight into the needs of both our esteemed clients and our valued candidates.I am responsible for leading and developing our Retail Division, recruit top talent, client acquisition and relationship management, strategic planning, develop strategic alliances, attract, hire and lead top recruiting talent in-house at PS&A to continue to grow our business in a partnership role. I bring a focused, consultative approach with candidates and clients alike with integrity, passion, industry knowledge and dedication. My mission: to create happiness through a great hire and a great fit!



Maison Birks

• Canada
• Retail Luxury Goods and Jewelry
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Directrice générale - Montréal

  • Jul 2012 - May 2014

  Position restructured/abolished due to financial cuts April 15,2014.Delight and inspire clients in a true Canadian heritage prestige brand. As General Manager of the grande dame of flagship stores, my role is to lead and inspire my team, all professionals in the ultimate client experience and product knowledge, to network proactively as Brand Ambassador developing relations and connecting with the "next generation" of luxury clients, to collaborate with our corporate partners in Marketing, Merchandising, Planning, HR and Recruitment as we spearhead one of the most exciting brand evolutions in Canadian retail history.With our new brand architecture being unveiled, Maison Birks offers two new mono-brand locations in Ontario at Mapleview and in Quebec in Quartier Dix-30. In addition to the Phillips Square flagship, our new Dix-30 location falls under my responsibilities. Through my 360 degree experience in Talent, Operations strategy, training and development I recruited, placed and partnered with my Store Director to build a new team and execute a modern vision for the client experience and structure based on best practices. A complex business model, our business housed a café, managed high volume jewellery and watch repairs and custom design, event management, vendor relations and collaboration with all stakeholders situated onsite in our head office. Part of team leadership in new corporate initiatives including Employee Engagement and 4DX project management. Through my extensive network, both through partnership building with complimentary brands and participation in business community, promoted and attracted new clients.Reports: 2 Store Directors, 4 Department Managers, Service and Sales Professionals



JRoss Retail Recruiters

• Canada
• Staffing and Recruiting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Retail Recruiter

  • Jul 2006 - Jul 2012

  JRoss Retail Recruiters is a leading industry recognized recruitment firm specializing in retail and wholesale mid – level, senior andexecutive placements.Mandated to fill needs of JRoss Retail / Wholesale industry clients in terms of sourcing, pre-screening, performing background checks and all necessary tasks related to filling positions within their company. Assist organizations with their developmental and recruitment strategy plans, define roles within the organization and how they collaborate within the overal workflow process. Consultative approach in analyzing and recommending industry best practices, market compensation, retention.



Isacsoft Technologies

• Project Director - Contract Position

  • 2006 - 2006

  ISACSOFT is an industry leader specializing in enterprise work process solutions and corporate training.Responsibility for preparing the Project Scope and Plan, assigning project resources, and ensuring the quality of all projectdeliverables, understanding the lifecycles of products while managing between 3 to 6 project teams and client-based members.Reporting line responibility for and monitoring of the progress of the project, prepare status reports, chair project review meetings,coordinate the project team, resolve any issues encountered during the project, and manage all client Change Requests.Reports: software designers, programmers, graphicdesigners, creative director, content manager, quality assurance manager. Strategic liaison with the client in all phases of the project fromconcept development to final delivery through implementation of cutting-edge, lightweight methodologies to support rapid enterprisedevelopment and manage short, iterative cycles.



Liz Claiborne Canada

• Merchandise and Strategic Planning Manager/Director - Canada Wholesale

  • 2004 - 2005

  Direction of Merchandise planning team with reporting line responsibility for profitability of all brands/divisions in Canadian market. Note:Liz Claiborne possesses a portfolio of 38 brands including Mexx, Liz Claiborne, Claiborne for men, DKNY, Sigrid Olsen, Emma James,Crazy Horse, Villager, Ellen Tracy, Juicy Couture, etc.• Link between Sales and Management in an analytical, strategic and advisory function. Strong product background enables me to ensure maximum Brand presence across all channels of distribution, all the while maximizing profitability.• Liaison with and manage our New York Merchandisers assuring product selection meets performance and corporate forecast objectives and was the point person at pre-line sales and merchandising reviews in New York to support Brand Managers and Merchandisers in their selection processes.Assortment plans are created by my team (5 Planners and Technicians) which become the guidelines for the New York Merchandising teams.Dotted line reporting to Board of Directors, NY.



Jones New York

• Apparel & Fashion
• 700 & Above Employee

• Merchandising and Planning Manager Canada

  • 2003 - 2004

  Account Manager Sears Canada: Planning, Analysis and management of 8 divisions being launched by JAG with SearsAccount manager the Bay - Responsible primarily for AK and Anne Klein New York business with the Bay• Merchandising of Canadian collections and planning: responsible for determining the buy, breakdown of groupings and store allocations.Strategic planning of flow of merchandise; regional micro-management• Showroom presentation, recommendations and finalizing of collections to Bay Buyers (AK and AKNY)• Implicated in marketing and growth strategies involving VP Anne Klein Canada, Bay GMM’s• Interviewing, hiring, orientation of AK specialists in conjunction with Bay Human Resources and store management• Creation and implementation of ISM strategies for AK at the Bay• Recruitment and training of Visual Presentation specialist for Toronto shops• Responsible for new shop implementation with Bay Marketing team



LaSalle College

• Canada
• Education Administration Programs
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Coordinator, Fashion Marketing Program, International School of Fashion

  • 2001 - 2003

  Direction of Fashion Marketing Program by ensuring standards set by Minister of Education are maintained through follow up with teachingstaff’s interpretation of course outlines. Repartition of courses to teaching staff.• Responsible for 30 teaching staff and student population of over 500 through open lines of communication with the objective ofmaintaining and improving standards of services available.• Restructuring of Fashion Marketing program to keep in line with changing industry standards and in accordance with Minister ofEducation guidelines.• Management and approval of all Fashion Marketing student events in association with the fashion industry as part of their curriculum,coaching and support, media relations, budgetary considerations.Development of associations between Fashion Marketing program and industry professionals with the objective of supporting theeducational process through internships and future recruitment of graduating students.



Danier Leather

• Regional Manager, Quebec

  • 1999 - 2001

  Implemented corporate growth strategies for the region through ongoing recruitment, training and development in order to prepare for 4 new superstores in 2001, bringing region to 14 stores and over $30M in annual sales.• Actively initiated corporate marketing strategy utilizing research from Focus Group analysis, resulting in increased market awareness• Introduced Québec customer service line in French to better serve client needs.• Developed senior managers to act as Regional trainers, responding effectively and efficiently to training issues anywhere in the region.Anticipated market trends through regular analysis allowing corporate design team to stay informed and on top of Québec fashion scene.Result: increased client awareness of Danier as a fashion leader within this market and translated into increased traffic and sales by 30% in fiscal 1999-2000-2001.



Reitmans Canada Ltée/Ltd

• Canada
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Manager - Cactus Division

  • 1997 - 1999



Les Ailes de la Mode

• Sales Manager, Ladies’ Designer and Better Sportswear

  • 1994 - 1997



Holt Renfrew

• Canada
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Area Sales Manager, Senior Area Sales Manager and Buyer, Québec Region

  • 1990 - 1994

  • Supervised 3 floors in Main store, Montreal downtown with over 40 employees. Departments included Accessories, Ladies’ DesignerSportswear, Jeune Contemporaine, Lingerie, Fendi and Jewelry.• Moved to and built from ground up new and first ever freestanding Calvin Klein store in North America. Recruited, trained and developedstaff for the store, which attained $700.0 in its first 8 months of operation in fiscal 1992.• Responsible for buying and allocation of Calvin Klein lines including CK Collection, CK Sport, Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Underwearand Calvin Klein Fragrance. Successful in maintaining lowest markdown ratio in Holt Renfrew chain.