Demand Planning Manager

• Oct 2022 - Present

Demand Planning Manager

• Nov 2021 - Jun 2022

Acquired in June 2022 by Vesta Home. Managed all activities associated with forecasting for entire Feather business including DTC ($8M) and B2B ($21M) businesses. Developed demand forecasts and managed OTB at multiple levels and time horizons as part of the demand planning function. Created and maintained forecasts using statistical information and partnered with key cross-functional partners to include upcoming product launches, partnerships and business nuances. Coordinated cross-functionally with Finance to reconcile significant variances in projected demand and spend. Used historical data, drivers & detractors, plus recent sales trends to explain variances in top down vs. bottom up forecasts. Provided monthly and ad hoc high-level summary reports on key assumptions, building blocks and forecast methodology with subsequent demand plan, expected spend, insights and recommendations to C-Suite leadership. Ensured demand plan inventory levels align with operational KPIs such as turns, WOS/MOS and sell-thru rate. Improved projected yearly sell-thru rate from 47% to 64% for the 2022 calendar year and expected to reach goal of 85% sell-thru by the end of 2023. Balanced inventory in fulfillment centers regularly via transfers or re-directs, accounting for damaged items, returns, reclaimed inventory and inventory available in the main distribution centers well as inbound POs. Lead and participated in special projects such as forecasting 3 and 5 year top line demand, converting unit projections into cubic feet as a space need analysis for new distribution center lease signing. Show less

Senior Analyst, Bedroom Operations

• Sep 2020 - Nov 2021

Managed portfolio of 12 suppliers, totaling $200M annually. Acted as the go-to operations contact, influencing overall supplier strategy and lead weekly or bi-weekly meetings with external leadership to improve performance and triage any immediate concerns. Set quarterly goals for each supplier on fulfillment, ship speed, and in-stock levels and drove strategy to meet KPIs; held suppliers accountable to performance against goals. Created replenishment proposals reflective of supplier goals and projected demand using supplier strategy, historical data and on-hand/on-order inventory to drive the forecast. Ensured suppliers follow-through on inventory commitments. Developed drop ship forecast planning tool. Rollout for first supplier led to a +2800 bps increase in stock levels and a $200K increase in June 2021 revenue for top 20 performing SKUs (projected $2.3M annual impact). Managed efficient inbound inventory flows and health, including forecasting, purchasing, and removing aged inventory. Improved turns and removed excess/dead-stock inventory by suggesting RTVs, markdowns, liquidation or third-party sales to the supplier; managed follow up actions with cross-functional warehouse operations team. Conducted ad hoc analyses and built advanced reporting using SQL and Excel to drive business decisions. Show less

Merchandise Planner

• Dec 2018 - Sep 2020

Developed preseason plans and managed in season open-to-buy for Women's Apparel, Footwear and Accessories in Brand House (Annual $15M) & Women's Apparel for Factory House (Annual $180M).Drove $1.8M in incremental sales for Brand House in FW18 and $1.3M in SS19 by identifying areas of opportunity & chasing units to overdrive in key Footwear programs. Changed trajectory of Women's Apparel Business for Factory House in FW19 by reacting in season to low and excess inventory levels, driving an additional $1M in revenue. Developed and implemented seasonal planning tools across Brand House & Factory House to increase productivity and reduce excess inventory. Determined promotional plan weekly using turns, performance to plan, and comparable historical discount percentage. Published weekly business reporting, recapped performance and provided insights and actions to key partners and DTC and North America leadership. Partnered with Business Planning to reconcile top down and bottom up plans. Executed and collaborated on a strategic vision for planning & inventory investment between key partners. Partnered with merchandising and allocation partners to recommend markdown candidates monthly. Developed and maintained internal deliverable calendar. Utilized company excess to maintain sales in over-performers and support changes in merchandising strategies. Recapped business trends and action plans for leadership in weekly meetings Covered Brand House Senior Manager role for 4 months with minimal oversight during manager maternity leave. Show less

Associate Merchandise Planner

• Oct 2017 - Dec 2018

Associate Merchandise Planner

• Dec 2016 - Aug 2017

Analyzed previous season selling information and current market trends. Suggested “Grow, Maintain, Decrease” programs based on sales performance. Worked closely with the Design team to develop seasonal SKU plans for Belts, Small Leather Goods, and Cold Weather Accessories, which were new categories in the department. Acted as a sales liaison of after-market buying communication. Worked with cross-functional partners to drive results and make decisions that supported the departmental strategies. Built relationships through effective collaboration and communicate with VP of Merchandise Planning, Design, Sourcing, Retail Planning, Product Development, and Operations. Updated pricing within internal systems & constantly communicated any changes to the Sales, Planning and Customer Service departments. Ran costing, line-lists, product development reports regularly. Determined pricing for each seasonal assortment. Show less

Buyer

• May 2015 - Nov 2016

Coordinated and lead monthly best & worst product review and performed sales analysis to determine and explain drivers. Provided suggestions for next step actions to improve sales in poor performers. Developed and maintained vendor relationships through constant communication and regular trade market trips. Partnered with vendors to develop exclusive products, negotiate pricing and payment terms. Ran weekly forecasting exercises and adjusted & placed purchase orders accordingly for managed categories. Selected product and lead pricing strategy for advertisements and promotions in managed categories. Performed regular competitor and trend product research. Collaborated with visual merchandisers on space strategy for new product launches or assortment shifts. Show less

Social Media Marketing Manager

• Feb 2014 - May 2015

• Developed fresh online marketing strategies to drive sales growth • Analyzed trends in the furnishings industry and applied these to identify product voids • Recognized potential business opportunities that provided immediate and long-term gains • Provided leadership by developing and presenting recommendations regarding company direction to upper management • Developed and maintained social media communities • Provided sales and marketing assistance for the High Point Furniture Market Show less

Design and Merchandising Intern

• May 2014 - Aug 2014

• Administrative and creative support to the Window & Multi-Purpose Fabric division effectively acting as an entry-level design assistant • Provided administrative and creative support to the Window & Multi-Purpose Fabric Division • Re-merchandised existing fabrics for the current sales force • Analyzed sales data to identify trends within business • Maintained awareness and researched the competitive landscape. • Administrative and creative support to the Window & Multi-Purpose Fabric division effectively acting as an entry-level design assistant • Provided administrative and creative support to the Window & Multi-Purpose Fabric Division • Re-merchandised existing fabrics for the current sales force • Analyzed sales data to identify trends within business • Maintained awareness and researched the competitive landscape.

Sales Associate

• Jun 2013 - May 2014

Collaborate with sales team to ensure smooth operations and develop product knowledge while helping customers; maintain and restock inventory; transitions into new seasonal store layouts and sales Collaborate with sales team to ensure smooth operations and develop product knowledge while helping customers; maintain and restock inventory; transitions into new seasonal store layouts and sales

Customer Lounge Representative

• Apr 2013 - Oct 2013

Provide customer service to International Furniture Market buyers and representatives; tending to general tidiness of the area; maintaining full supply of food and drinks. Provide customer service to International Furniture Market buyers and representatives; tending to general tidiness of the area; maintaining full supply of food and drinks.

Interviewer

• Sep 2011 - May 2012

Used verbal communication skills to conduct surveys of crucial public affairs issues from citizens of North Carolina Used verbal communication skills to conduct surveys of crucial public affairs issues from citizens of North Carolina