Experience

• 

  BBC International LLC

  • Boca Raton, FL

  • Senior Manager of Planning/Forecasting/Merchandising

    • Mar 2010 - Present
    • Boca Raton, FL

    BBC International LLC, Boca Raton, FL 2010 - Present SR MANAGER OF PLANNING/BUYING/MERCHANDISINGResponsible for the forecasting and procurement of Champion Men’s/Women’s/Children’s shoe lines, Ralph Lauren Polo Children’s & Layette shoe lines and the Tommy Hilfiger Children’s shoe line for the U.S. Distribution channels which accounts for 60 % of annual wholesale division sales. Responsible for maintaining all costing of all these brands in the company system, ensuring accuracy for both factory costs and Wholesale pricing. Develop discounted wholesale pricing for off price channels that meet company margin expectations. ● Implemented a SKU Productivity Process which measures sales and production productivity by Season, allowing us to evaluate and recommend the number of development skus needed by category for the next “like” product development season. This process is a cost savings in development and sample costs while also improving efficiencies at the factory level which, in turn, may reduce factory costs/increase company margins. ● Implemented a “Special Make Up” process which includes a review of the product requested as well as a formal sign off on such requests. This process ensures that all special make up requests meet the brand distribution strategy which, in turn, allows us to maintain brand integrity in the marketplace. ● Drive all phases of obsolescence process to identify, sell and ship discontinued merchandise while ensuring that we meet company margin expectations.

• 

  Rockport Company

  • DIRECTOR OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

    • May 2006 - Jan 2009

    Oversaw product forecasting and procurement for domestic wholesale division with 5.0 million pairs shipped annually to meet sales and growth plans of 75 retail and 1700 wholesale accounts representing $274M in business. Brands included Rockport, Signature, XCS, Est. 1971, Capital, I Travel, and Works.Hired, trained and developed a staff of buyers and analysts.Prepared seasonal forecasts for 2,000 stock numbers annually and provided long-term production schedules to Sourcing Division partners.Performed monthly review and analysis of sales trends and inventory position to determine monthly factory buy requirements needed to maximize business opportunities while adhering to turn goals and controlling product obsolescence.Key contributor in development of seasonal sku targets and tooling budgets for each brand to drive business growth; developed strong partnerships and worked closely with Product Development, Wholesales Sales and Sourcing departments to ensure objective success.Drove all phases of obsolescence process to identify, sell and ship discontinued merchandise with focus on meeting corporate margin and turn goals. Managed the Open to Buy plan by brand on a monthly basis to meet sales plan and turn goals. Reviewed go forward sales based on state of business with finance and sales operations and revised operating plan as necessary. Key role in style reduction initiatives for each brand resulting in seasonal average pattern reductions of 20%.

• 

  Stride Rite Children's Group

  • DIRECTOR OF WHOLESALE MERCHANDISING

    • Jan 1997 - Jan 2006

    Managed product forecasting and purchasing for division with 10.9 million pairs shipped annually to meet sales and growth plans of 300 retail and 900 wholesale accounts representing $266M in business. Brands include Stride Rite, Born, Tommy, Munchkin, Nimi and Sperry. Responsible for leading and developing a staff of buyers, an analyst and a coordinator . Key contributor in division's 6% cumulative growth from 2000 - 2005 and 38% turn rate improvement.

  • MERCHANDISE MANAGER

    • Jan 1991 - Jan 1997

    Forecasting and purchased 4.5M pairs of footwear and managed 5,500 skus per season.

• 

  Children's Group Divison

  • SENIOR MERCHANDISER

    • Jan 1987 - Jan 1991

• 

  Manufacturing Divison

  • MASTER SCHEDULER

    • Jan 1986 - Jan 1987

    Responsible for the scheduling of production in 7 manufacturing facilities for all Stride Rite children's brand, Sperry Topsider brand, and Herman Survivor Safetread brand product with emphasis on efficient sku productivity, quality, and on time delivery of product to meet customer requested ship date requirements.