Experience

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  High Life Apparel, LLC

  • New York

  • VP Merchandising

    • Feb 2013 - Present
    • New York

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  Marc Ecko Enterprises

  • NYC

  • Director of Women's Merchandising

    • Jan 2011 - Present
    • NYC

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  Merchandising Consultant

  • Consultant

    • Jun 2010 - Jan 2011

    Offering exceptional service in Fashion Industry, with extraordinary vision and a practical point of view to suit your business needs.- Trend Forecasting- Competitive Analysis- Product Development - Merchandising & Planning Strategies

• 

  The Children's Place

  • Divisional Merchandise Manager

    • Dec 2006 - May 2010

    • Lead & Managed $620M growing business in all RTW of Big & Baby Girl Divisions.• Developed innovative merchandising strategies that resulted in increased sales, profit margin and inventory turns by +10%.• Managed the merchandise selection process while partnering with the head of design, production & planning to create an assortment.• Partnered and traveled with VP of Design on product development and concept ideas for future seasons. • Developed seasonal financial strategy by total, division, category and floor set to drive growth.• Head the execution of a seasonal buy with pricing and assortment strategies to support financial targets.• Traveled overseas to assist VP of Production in sourcing, costing and quality control.• Collaborate with visual merchandising on display of product to drive fashion and key item looks.• Assist in developing marketing strategies to build brand recognition.• Direct and manage daily business needs by analyzing and reacting with promotional strategies.• Hands on leader of a team of eight with effective communication skills and strong analytical problem solving abilities.• Possess strong fashion sense with the ability to identify market trends and customer needs while understanding competitive activity.• Developed and maintained Cross Functional Time & Action Calendar for company.

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  Victoria's Secret

  • Director Merchandising

    • Jun 2006 - Dec 2006

    • Lead & Managed $50M denim business and merchandising team, including buyer, associate, assistant & trainee. • Manage in season business by analyzing and driving sales while identifying key opportunities.• Lead implementation of new business opportunities by executing seasonal assortment plans & strategies.• Extensive travel to Europe & Domestic to forecast trends and sample shop to execute concepts.• Manage product development & sample execution for each season.• Assort and paginate all denim merchandise for 64 catalogues and web sites.• Approve photography & copy for product. • Partner with director of planning and production to support and manage the overall success of the denim business.

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  Aeropostale

  • Senior Merchandiser

    • Jun 1998 - May 2006

    • Managed and operated a $240M Woven Bottoms, Tops and Denim business from $50M.• Was part of significant store growth from 165 to 675 stores. • Merchandised & launched New Concept Stores for 14 Jimmy’z Retail locations. • Managed Accessory Merchant & team at Jimmy’z.• Managed in season business by analyzing sales accurately by identifying and maximizing opportunities and minimizing liabilities thru promotions & markdowns.• Identify new business opportunities – strong comp growths 20%-30% & exceeded financial goals every year.• Develop strong financial strategies & plans with the partnership of planning to support overall company’s goals.• Lead the process of assortment development & merchandising with strong partnership of design & product teams.• Understand customer & trends- identify right items & classifications that will impact the business with out getting over assorted. • Work with product team on creating a strong vendor structure to improve quality and profitability of our product by getting lower costs. • Partner with visual merchandising & marketing to give product knowledge to ensure the image stays consistent.• Look for opportunities & challenges – review past & future assortments.• Provide leadership and direction – manage and develop merchant, associate and assistants.

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  Calvin Klein

  • Associate Merchandiser

    • Nov 1994 - Jun 1998

    • Assisted in Merchandise Assortment planning. Working closely with design and production. • Worked with Sales team to prepare for Market. • Assisted Vice President of Merchandising with daily duties.