Experience

SmileMakers, A Berkshire Hathaway Company

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Merchandise Manager

  • Feb 2020 - Present

• Marketing Manager

  • Apr 2016 - Present



Medals of America

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Merchandising

  • Apr 2013 - Apr 2016

  Responsibilities includes domestic and international new product sourcing, monitoring product performance, overseas travel to tradeshows and vendors/producers, market research, legal contract negotiation, bid solicitation and negotiation. Responsible for sales projections and analysis, profit margin maintenance, and proper product mix. Catalog layout and square inch analytics. Responsibilities includes domestic and international new product sourcing, monitoring product performance, overseas travel to tradeshows and vendors/producers, market research, legal contract negotiation, bid solicitation and negotiation. Responsible for sales projections and analysis, profit margin maintenance, and proper product mix. Catalog layout and square inch analytics.



Gravett Global, LLC

• Greenville, South Carolina

• President

  • Feb 2009 - Jul 2014

  As the president and owner of Gravett Global, LLC, I served as a private merchandising consultant for various businesses, which cannot be disclosed according to contractual agreements. * Strategic Consulting, including business plan & sales strategy development * Domestic and International travel to develop and maintain vendor relationships * Maintain quality control * Develop and offer product sources * Brand development * Website traffic growth * Develop brand strategy, sales projections * Profit margin maintenence * Assurance of proper product mix * Evaluate market conditions through market research and analysis * Negotiate production schedules, prices, terms, quality requirements, and importing * Guide value analysis for cost improvements, cost savings proposals, and make-versus-buy analyses * Provide a direct link to established Asian agency contacts, developed over years of sourcing and merchandising experience * Offer alternative sourcing and vendor evaluation, and production quality assurance * Represent companies at domestic and international trade shows in both sourcing/merchandising roles and sales representation roles My client mix included party/novelty catalog companies, dental, educational catalogs, and promotional products. Show less



Oriental Trading Company, A Berkshire Hathaway Company

• United States
• Retail
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Sourcing Manager

  • Nov 2006 - Jun 2008

  Traveled to international markets to develop vendor relationships, maintain quality control, and developed new production sources. Served as liaison between international vendors and merchandisers. Developed strategic project plans and purchasing systems; reviewed and analyzed requisitions and supply plans for domestic and international purchases. Negotiated prices, terms and quality requirements. Evaluated market conditions. Guided value analysis to identify cost improvements, develop cost saving proposals including make-versus-buy analysis, alternative sourcing and vendor evaluation criteria. Responsible for sourcing all product categories. Show less

• Merchandise Manager

  • May 2004 - 2008

  Responsibilities included domestic and international new product sourcing, monitoring product performance, overseas travel to tradeshows and vendors/producers, market research, legal contract negotiation, bid solicitation and negotiation, supervising buyers and assistant buyers in their product development and purchasing. Responsible for sales projections and analysis, profit margin maintenance, and proper product mix. Experienced in Asian and Canadian market and vendor relations.



SmileMakers

• Merchandiser

  • 1998 - 2003

  Initiated direct marketing, target market books, such as teacher, bank, and party, and website development. Responsibilities included domestic and international new product sourcing, catalog layout and design, monitoring product performance, overseas travel to tradeshows and vendors/producers, market research, legal contract negotiation, bid solicitation and negotiation, supervising purchasing, and special projects management, including retail development, Internet site and sales development, customized merchandise. Responsible for sales projections and analysis and profit margin maintenance, proper product mix, catalog sales reports and performance, data system maintenance. Experienced in Asian market and vendor relations. Also responsible for coordination of Canadian merchandising. Show less