Experience

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  Spinrite

  • Charlotte, NC

  • Key Account Manager

    • Mar 2022 - Present
    • Charlotte, NC

    Currently manage key accounts for US and Canadian big box retailers.

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  Sally Beauty

  • Denton, Texas, United States

  • Category Manager/Senior Buyer

    • Apr 2020 - Mar 2022
    • Denton, Texas, United States

    Manage $120M in annual sales volume for +1300 US and Canadian store network. Also drive Ecommerce and Full Service Wholesale distribution Omni-channels. Currently delivering a 15% increase to LLY in high sku intensive Basic Salon, Styling Tools, Hair Extensions and Salon Equipment categories.

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  Cre8 Direct (Ningbo) Co., Ltd.

  • Irving, Texas

  • Senior Product Development & National Account Manager

    • Jul 2016 - Apr 2020
    • Irving, Texas

    Responsible for product development of everyday and seasonal programs for U.S. and International accounts. Collaborate with US Design Team in the development and launch of new product presentations. Conduct Market Research for assigned product lines, brands and categories. Collaborate daily with Cre8 colleagues in Asia to develop product lines and strategic market plans to support key existing accounts and drive new business opportunities. Manage production calendar to ensure the needs of all National Account customers are being met within the required timeline. Manage several large U.S. retail accounts, including Walmart and Staples, on a daily basis. Accountable for product meeting quality, brand specifications and sales performance requirements.

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  Michaels Stores, Inc.

  • Senior Buyer: Wall and Table Top Frames, Home Decor and Wall Decor.

    • Nov 2013 - Feb 2016

    --Responsible for over 40% of the company volume, $50M annually, 12+ categories, 6000+ skus for Aaron Brothers Art & Framing Specialty Division of Michaels Stores, Inc. . --Mentored and managed two Associate Buyers. Full portfolio of categories in addition to frames included: Home Decor, Textiles, Lighting, Wall Decor, Mirrors, Clocks, Candles, Gift, Pet, Storage and Albums. --In June of 2015 launched a new Wedding and Baby line "BEST DAY EVER". Exceptional speed to market planning. Developed assortment in Asia in Nov. 2014, delivered to the floor in May 2015, planned advertising cadence. Total program for 2015 achieved sales plan by +8% with lift on existing products in planogram +40% comp.--Managed daily all aspects of the product life cycle including product development and sourcing, cost negotiation, assortment planning, package development, quality control and testing. promotional planning, planogram placement and exit strategies. Proven ability to multi task in high work capacity. -In 2014 and 2015 had the most successful seasonal sell through on Holiday merchandise. Bought and advertised appropriately in order to exceed sell through goals of +85%.

  • Private Brand and Global Sourcing Manager---Jewelry Making and Storage

    • May 2011 - Nov 2013

    --Delivered over $600Kin COGS savings at a rate of 13.8%. Converted two major programs accounting for over 50ft. within the dept. --Increased department private brand penetration from 32% to 58% and delivered $600K in cost savings. --Developed new products within the Jewelry Prop Category and developed a Lanyard Jewelry Line that performed within the top 25 Drive Aisle and Power Panels of the company. Producing over $400K--Developed successful partnerships with the Merchant Team as well as with the Asia Agent Teams. Worked cross functionally with Design, Packaging, Supply Chain, QA Teams and regularly met on time deliveries. --Traveled extensively 3 times a year to Asia for development and factory reviews,

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  At Auction, LLC.

  • Dallas, Tx.

  • Director Product Development and Brand Management, Ladies Accessories

    • Oct 2009 - May 2011
    • Dallas, Tx.

    --Sourced and negotiated cost of goods for an e-commerce Auction based website as well as the AAFES platform. --Responsible for the development of product in the categories of precious and semi-precious jewelry,scarves, small leather goods, handbag and luggage lines. --Strategically purchased close-out product. Maintained 62% gross margin. --Traveled overseas multiple times a year to China and trade shows in Hong Kong. --Developed product for in-house brands. Required trend and competitive pricing research, product knowledge, collaboration with marketing and web developers. Approved all photography and copy prior to launch on site. --Led a new brand from concept to launch. Developed the jewelry line as well as coordinated with in house Marketing Team the direction of the new website, logo design and print campaign,. www.lesbijouxcollection.com. Maintained 70% gross margin.

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  Harold's

  • Dallas, Tx.

  • Senior Buyer, Ladies Sportswear, Dresses and Denim

    • Nov 2007 - Nov 2008
    • Dallas, Tx.

    --Responsible for eight of the eleven Ladies categories. Managed 40% of company annual volume. $38 million. --Launched twelve collections annually. 100% private label. --Hired to improve the fit of the Women's Pant offering. In June of 2008, presented and implemented the new strategy and fit at annual Manager's Conference. Initial reaction and sales, were the strongest in three years. --Launched a new Ladies Denim program. Involved branding Harold's Denim through all aspects of product development, packaging and marketing. Completed initiative while on a condensed 7 month timeline. Completed Time & Action calendar 100% on time. --Improved gross margin by over 800 bpts in less than a year.

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  Michaels Stores, Inc.

  • Dallas, Tx,

  • Director of Merchandising, Recollection Stores, Specialty Division

    • May 1998 - Nov 2007
    • Dallas, Tx,

    --One of original team members at Michaels Stores to start a Papercrafting concept. Involved in all aspects of starting the Recollections Private Label Brand concept. Led building product assortments, pricing strategies, inventory presentation levels, as well as participated in opening ten of the eleven stores. --Improved gross margin from low 50% to 60.3%, Achieved this by negotiating deeper cost discounts from suppliers as well as conducting retail pricing analysis, driving programs such as "Item of the Week", and implementing best practices cross functionally with Store Operations. --Currently, the Recollection private label brand has become a multi-million business in excess of $300M in the Scrapbook Division of Michaels Stores. Distribution channel of over 1000+ US stores. Prior, was Senior Buyer of the Wedding and Ribbon Department for Michaels Stores for five years growing the business from $80 to $140 million.-Introduced cohesive branding and packaging for Wedding and Ribbon assortments-Annually negotiated over $1.5M in vendor co-op and rebate funding. -Negotiated Vendor support for launch of the first wedding link to the Michaels Website. Also, negotiated co-op dollars for two National Ads in Brides and Modern Bride Magazines. This was a "first time ever" participation for Michaels on a national advertising level.

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  Blockbuster

  • Dallas, Tx.

  • Merchandise Manager New Business Development

    • Jun 1997 - May 1998
    • Dallas, Tx.

    --Part of a selective team brought on board to test and implement a new store start-up concept to increase profitability in the Music Division. --Implemented strategy and participated in the opening of four Fresh-Cut Music Stores in the Atlanta area. Candy was the first category that Blockbuster, Inc. exploited and adopted, producing $38M to Blockbuster Video Stores, Inc. annually.

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  Walt Disney World

  • Orlando, Fla.

  • Product Developer/Buyer, Branded Apparel and Swimwear

    • Dec 1996 - Jun 1997
    • Orlando, Fla.

    --Responsible for merchandise sold at resort locations. Categories included the development of Disney character swimwear as well as the purchasing of Ladies Resort wear, Junior and Young Men's apparel, Traditional Men's, and Accessories from well known brand name labels. --When hired in December, with first quarter results in, the department was planned (15%) to last year. Actual sales for the year ended flat at $18.7 million. --Developed a Disney character swim cover-up business that took the swim business from $300,000 to $700,000 within one year. +133% --Managed over 20,000 skus and 60 suppliers.

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  The County Seat Stores

  • Dallas, Tx.

  • Senior Buyer, Ladies Accessories

    • Dec 1993 - Dec 1996
    • Dallas, Tx.

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  Rainbow Apparel Co (previously 579 Shops/Edison Brothers)

  • St. Louis, Mo.

  • Buyer, Juniors Accessories and Swimwear

    • Jul 1990 - Dec 1993
    • St. Louis, Mo.

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  Claire's Accessories

  • Hoffman Estates, Ill.

  • Buyer, Women's Accessories

    • Oct 1987 - Jul 1990
    • Hoffman Estates, Ill.

    Promoted from Assistant Buyer to Associate Buyer reporting directly to Divisional Merchandising Manager. Promoted to Buyer and solely managed a $10 million jewelry department. Traveled extensively to the Far East, sourcing and purchasing product. 100% private label company.

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  Gateway Apparel

  • St. Louis, Mo.

  • Allocations Manager

    • Aug 1985 - Oct 1987
    • St. Louis, Mo.

    Allocation's Manager for, at the time, one of the nation's largest off-price retailers. (Fashionation, Fashion Gal, Show-Off Fashions with 150 stores)

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  Brown Shoe Company

  • St. Louis, Mo.

  • Women's Rebuyer

    • Nov 1983 - Aug 1985
    • St. Louis, Mo.

    Planned the stock, sizes and widths of women's shoes to be manufactured in the Naturalizer Shoe Division. Monitored inventory levels for twelve factories for leading National Wholesale and Retail Giant. Started in the Advertising Department as a Copywriter.