Experience

Jay Strongwater LLC

• Seattle, Washington, United States

• Director

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  Manage and developed wholesale partnerships with Top US Department Stores, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Ave, Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman Launched DTC with Dept Store partners, and executed set-up of New EDI system Manage and developed wholesale partnerships with Top US Department Stores, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Ave, Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman Launched DTC with Dept Store partners, and executed set-up of New EDI system



Nordstrom

• Seattle, Washington

• Buyer

  • Aug 2002 - Jun 2020

  Nordstrom | Women’s Designer Sportswear Buyer | 2016-2020 Most recently, I owned the wholesale purchasing for women’s designer sportswear with $162M+ in sales and $275M in receipts, averaging $1K per item with a value range of $400 to $7K. I curated a matrix of merchandise for 55 locations throughout the US and Canada, assorting product from low to high price points and led and mentored 3 direct/indirect reports. ► Captured highest historical comp growth year over year, delivering strategies to transform underperforming business unit into a financial leader over 3 consecutive years. ► Outperformed plan, attaining all-time volume highs in designer apparel category by launching new brands and accelerating growth in comparable stores. Nordstrom | Bridge Sportswear Buyer | 2014-2016 As the Bridge Sportswear Buyer, I controlled a base of contemporary and designer sportswear suppliers and managed a $100M+ budget. ► Identified strategic sourcing opportunities. Onboarded multiple high-value designers, including Eileen Fisher, Hugo Boss, and Classiques Entier (in-house brand). Nordstrom Rack | Contemporary/Bridge Sportswear Buyer | 2007-2014 While a Contemporary/Bridge Sportswear Buyer, I directed the procurement of contemporary and bridge price point sportswear for all 150 Nordstrom Rack locations across the US. ► Led the opening of 100+ Nordstrom Rack stores while driving annual store growth, improving corporate profitability, and providing customers with relevant, on-trend merchandise. ► Introduced contemporary/designer business for Nordstrom Rack, acquiring brands such as Rag&Bone, Helmut Lang, and Alexander Wang for the off-price division. Nordstrom.com | Contemporary/Bridge Sportswear Buyer | 2002-2007 I began my career with Nordstrom as a Contemporary/Bridge Sportswear buyer, establishing corporate purchasing for Nordstrom.com as e-commerce trends emerged. Show less