Experience

• 

  Newell Brands | Yankee Candle

  • Senior Design Manager

    • Sep 2023 - Present

  • DESIGN MANAGER

    • Sep 2019 - Sep 2023

• 

  The Yankee Candle Company, Inc.

  • SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA

  • VISUAL MERCHANDISING MANAGER

    • Aug 2011 - Sep 2019
    • SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA

• 

  MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO

  • VISUAL MERCHANDISING MANAGER

    • Jul 2006 - Aug 2011

    Create visual strategy and vision for 26 specialty boutiques and shoppes, with planning and development for new stores. Partner with buying team to develop seasonal store direction, layout and product placement. Research potential brands and successfully develop and mail press packet material to serve as introduction to property/department. Develop concept proposals to enhance current brand alignment, complimenting the current brand strategy. Dictate stores' aesthetics based upon each store's individual concept. Develop cohesive store layout and design based on consumer feedback, and needs. Communicate desired store design requests to architectural firm and remain Retail liaison through construction. During pre-store opening period: work with receiving and warehousing to coordinate the arrival and installment of fixtures while working with merchandising and store operations to create planograms and coordinate floor sets. Collaborate with architects, vendors and Senior Management to design new store locations. Design seasonal windows styling mannequins and props according to visual standards and season trends, including current Pantones. Partner with engineering to plan and coordinate store remodels and lighting changes. Develop and maintain departmental visual standards while maintaining brand partner guidelines. Execute numerous Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods Fashion Shows. Coordinate with buyers, retail managers and special events coordinator to organize calendar of events for Foxwoods' Annual Holiday Marketplace and Foxwoods Food & Wine Festival, communicating information to the marketing and graphic design departments. Work with advertising department to create in-store signage for property wide events that include: new store openings, holiday and seasonal events, trunk shows, book signings and VIP events. Direct the redesigning of two existing stores to The Candy Shell and Panache, including graphics, in house design, etc.

• 

  Foxwoods Resort Casino

  • VISUAL MERCHANDISING COORDINATOR

    • Aug 2005 - Jul 2006

    Worked under the direction of the Visual Merchandising Manager. Developed and executed visual training sessions for seasonal product presentation. Oversaw the visual presentation of 21 specialty retail locations. Directed daily store changes and floor moves. Sourced fixtures, mannequins, and display props. Executed seasonal window and mannequin styling changes. Developed opening and closing procedures and daily store tasks. Recruited to oversee all visual merchandising and store planning operations as Visual Merchandise Manager.

• 

  URBAN DIRECT FOR URBAN OUTFITTERS

  • ASSISTANT STYLIST - INTERNSHIP

    • Mar 2004 - Aug 2004

    Assisted on set styling for women and men’s apparel, home and accessory photo shoots. Responsible for delivering brand image for website and direct mail. Worked directly with hair senior stylist to reinforce brand image through creative styling to support current trends.