Experience

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  IVEST Consumer Partners

  • Vancouver, BC / Los Angeles, CA

  • Consultant-Operations and Merchandise Strategies

    • Jan 2019 - Oct 2019
    • Vancouver, BC / Los Angeles, CA

    A niche focused private equity group investing in companies exclusively in the consumer products and retail sectors to create shareholder value. Key responsibilities include strategic operational and merchandising guidance and implementing best business practices to exceed sales targets of newly acquired acquisitions.• Provide analysis of new acquisitions (opportunities and challenges) to senior management.• Develop multi-year strategic business initiatives to drive revenue and exceed sales targets.• Manage merchandise sales plans, category allocations, inventory, and vendor relationships.• Identify and implement operational requirements and critical time paths for cross-functional teams.• Establish operating standards, best practices, policies and procedures and customer service guidelines.

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  Spence Diamonds

  • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

  • Director of Merchandising

    • 2015 - 2018
    • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Designed and implemented products, packaging, display fixtures, and merchandise categories to support existing and new retail store concepts. Analyzed retail sales, inventory levels, product innovation, operational processes, trends, and gross margin to exceed short and long-term goals. Collaborated with cross-functional teams including finance, marketing, production, and senior executives to maximize sales and profitability.• Consistently achieved a 65% gross margin ROI (standard 50% on products).• Increased peak season holiday comp sales an average of 22% yearly.• Negotiated a 20% savings on company-wide product and packaging with vendors and improved quality.• Implemented employee product knowledge programs resulting in 5 star customer service reviews.• Handled multiple projects from project start through delivery by prioritizing needs and delegating assignments.• As a critical team member, played a pivotal role in the successful, on-time, opening of several ‘concept stores' in the United States and Canada.

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  HRA Group

  • Vancouver, BC

  • Divisional Supervisor and Brand Ambassador

    • 2006 - 2015
    • Vancouver, BC

    Developed sales strategies, purchasing efficiencies, streamlined product development, implemented visual merchandising strategies, and critical time-paths to increase profitability. Coordinated with cross-functional team's operational mandates and client development.• Managed six sales representatives to exceed sales goals and establish new clients across Canada and the United States resulting in a 10% year over year sales increase.• Coordinated with the manufacturing teams in defining product time-lines, pricing, product mix, and product allocation for more than 120 client accounts. • Cultivated strong business relationships reflecting increases in customer experience, satisfaction, and retention rates while increasing buyer accounts by an average of 24% over seven years.• Spearheaded annual trades show expansion and coordinated client sessions, product materials, contracts, pricing, and operational requirements reflecting revenue increases yearly of 18%.• Provided employee training for Forevermark Canada (a DeBeers Premium Global Brand) in delivering a clear value proposition. Developed and implemented marketing and merchandising strategies to enhance brand vision resulting in an increase of brand awareness.

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  Birks Group

  • Vancouver, Canada Area

  • Category / Studio Manager

    • 2000 - 2006
    • Vancouver, Canada Area

    • Exceeded the sales budget by 50% within the first year of business while maintaining high profitability levels.• Achieved and exceeded all sales goals and budget requirements for inventory, gross margin, and production for six years and was recognized with the President's Award for Excellence.• Efficiently managed daily operations of the studio including purchasing, HR, scheduling, production, shipments, and P&L.• Increased operational efficiencies of the studio with strategic planning and staff development resulting in an increase of on time delivery from 90% to 99% in the first year.