Buyer

• Nov 2021 - Present

Road Sales Representative

• Aug 2020 - Nov 2021

Category Marketing Strategist

• Jul 2019 - Jul 2020

SUMMARYThe core responsibility of the Category Marketing Strategist is to plan and develop category campaigns and content to ensure divisional sales and profit objectives are met. Position requires an excellent ability to creatively problem-solve, using marketing executions to meet category goals in a flexible and fast-paced team environment.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.• Assists in the development of multi-channel category marketing plans designed to increase sales and profits. Translates plans into campaign-based creative briefs and guides channel teams on execution.• Sets campaign KPIs which reach toward overall category sales goals. Reports on KPIs throughout and at the conclusion of each campaign, as well as provide key learnings and insights.• Directs the content of multi-channel materials. Strong artistic and conceptual thinking ability. • Participates in the creation of the storyboard and shot list for category or athlete photo shoots. Directs category and athlete photo shoots. Serves as the category/product expert on all shoots. Represents the company with professionalism, as a calm and capable presence “on the ground.”• Coordinates the development and delivery of creative assets through collaboration with other functions (brand, MCM, vendor management, purchasing, creative). Executes all activities in a timely and accurate manner including status reports informing groups and stakeholders or marketing activities. • Reviews market research and internal reports to keep up to date on category sales and goals. Understands category demographics and stays current with marketing/merchandising trends.• Consults with vendor and partnership teams to coordinate and implement proposals that meet brand strategy and align with category marketing plans. • Proofs marketing materials for category customer authenticity, accuracy, and consistency across channels, both internal and external.

Associate Buyer

• Nov 2018 - Jul 2019

Assortment PlanningDevelop and maintain a merchandise strategy and assortment plan for each category assigned. Emphasis should be placed on maximizing sales volume and profitability. Focus on unique products that make our business distinct, and maximizing the width of assortment that our customers have come to expect and demand. Support the B&M assortment plans with omni channel assortment plans. Omni Channel Merchandise IntegrationOur goal is to have merchandise integration with the brick and mortar (B&M) banners for the respective dotcom bannerFinancial ControlWork closely with the Planners to maintain an open-to-buy forecast in Marketmax to meet and exceed the category’s assigned budget. Keep inventory within plan. Keep inventory aging within divisional standards.Vendor ManagementMaintain a professional relationship with all vendors and their sales reps at all times. Develop and drive vendor initiatives. Work closely with the vendors to find the best available products and resolve vendor issues. Identify and maximize special make-up (SMU) opportunities. Manage vendor negotiations relating to price, terms, and delivery dates. Improve purchase discounts when the opportunity presents itself. Negotiate and manage Return to Vendor (RTV) efforts when needed.Trend IdentificationResearch the market to find the new trends within each category and determine what products will best serve our target customer. Do market visits, Internet shopping comparisons, and competitive analysis. Attend our target customer’s athletic and social events to do market research. Keep up-to-date on all performance, fashion and competitive trends in the marketplace.In-Season ManagementWork with the Planners to manage the receipt plan in Marketmax on a weekly basis to match the revised sales and margin forecasts. Initiate and drive strategies that maximize growth opportunities in up-trending categories, and minimize the impact of down-trending categories.

Team Sales Marketing Coordinator

• Jan 2014 - Nov 2018

SUMMARYThe core responsibility of the Eastbay Team Sales Merchandiser is to creatively merchandise the assigned category assortment and selection of products to ensure sales and profit objectives are met. Position requires excellent ability to be organized, be detailed and flexible while working in a fast paced team environment.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Develops and executes multi-channel category marketing plans designed to increase sales and profits. Creates and proofs accurate and intelligently merchandised multi-channel layouts (i.e. catalog, web pages, ads, sales flyers, emails) per brand standards and category marketing plans. Ensures the timely completion of all Team Sales marketing collateral needs.Works closely with business units to become familiar with products and customers in order to develop appropriate strategies and designs for communicating to the target. Reviews market research and internal reports to keep up to date on category sales and goals. Understands category demographics and stays current with marketing/merchandising trends.Consults internal resources to coordinate and implement vendor proposals that meet brand strategy and align with category marketing plans.Responsible for communicating to the sales and customer service teams as needed regarding upcoming promotional details, contests, product initiatives, etc.Develops new multi-channel opportunities in marketing the brand and assigned categories. (Ex: grass roots events, ads, vendor opportunities, videos, tests, ROIs, etc.). This position may coordinate and/or maintain Team Sales social media presence.Plans and directs photo shoots to keep in line with brand strategy, category marketing plans, and compliance with applicable rules (NFHS, NCAA, etc.).Coordinate and maintain Team Sales sample products for marketing collateral needs. Maintains Team Sales marketing reports and product sample inventory.

Purchasing Support Specialist

• Sep 2010 - Jan 2014

SUMMARY Provide detailed support to the Buyer. To successfully manage the development and growth of categories for which they are responsible. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Maintain Buyer’s merchandise “buy plans”. Create models and SKUS from the information contained in the buy plan. Model and SKU creation to be done in the SKU Establishment System (SES). All UPC’s to be loaded into SES to required SKUS needing UPC’s.Create purchase orders for loading prior to EDI/vendor deadlines.Acquire and process merchandise samples from vendors by required sample deadlines. Maintain the sample tracking databases.Assist Buyer with catalog proofing to include SKU number, description, price, sizes available, image, delivery date, and proper inventory levels.Works with vendors through e-mail and phone calls to track incoming purchase orders to ensure timely delivery of merchandise. Update SKU ETA as needed on the Order Management System (OMS). SKU ETA dates are to be accurate for our phone agents and customer’s to provide a positive customer service experience. Upon receipt of merchandise with a presell status, must update the OMS status and send and Internet Request to remove the attached presell text.Resolve purchase order discrepancies from vendors relating to any shortage/overages/pricing and obtaining any Return Authorizations as needed.Analyze weekly sales results to forecast and recommend fill-in and cancellation strategy to Buyers, which will maximize inventory turns and maximize profit margins. Cancellations must be processed by the respective vendor deadlines.Assists Buyer with preparing seasonal product presentations.Ensure missing images (MIA) are completed and/or resolved in a timely manner.Maintain Launch and Special Buy database.Assists Catalog Communication Center by answering inbound customer calls when call volume exceeds expectations.

Building Supervisor

• Dec 2010 - Sep 2016

Sales

• May 2001 - Sep 2010