Talented Merchant experienced in vendor and inventory management. Knowledgeable about pricing structures, supplier relations and contract negotiation. Driven to lower costs and increase quality of goods with proactive approach to supplier management. Familiar with retail practices and business operations. Finely tuned to customer buying desires, rising trends and changes in supply chain.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Merchandise Financial Planner
PetSmart
Phoenix, AZ
09.2024 - Current
Develop and manage financial plans and forecasts to support merchandising strategies across key categories.
Partner with merchants to align Open-to-Buy budgets with promotional cadence, sales goals, and seasonal assortment strategies.
Analyze sales, margin, and inventory performance to identify risks and opportunities; drive actionable recommendations for in-season and future planning.
Lead financial reviews with cross-functional partners to ensure alignment on category financial targets and performance metrics.
Utilize tools including Excel, EP, and internal planning systems to build and optimize forecasting models.
Collaborate with supply chain and inventory teams to improve inventory productivity and maximize in-stock rates while minimizing markdown risk.
Category Buyer
Bunzl Processor Division
10.2022 - 09.2024
Managed and maintained 100+ purchase orders and invoices weekly.
Created new buying tool using Excel for purchasing team to improve workflow and create efficiency when placing purchase orders.
Monitored and analyzed sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine purchasing needs and reorder points.
Assisted employees, vendors or customers by answering questions related to sourcing and procurement processes, procedures and services.
Established and maintained relationships with 60+ vendor portfolio to secure competitive pricing and discounts.
Sourced new vendors in effort to boost range of products offered while reducing costs through strategic contract negotiations.
Analyzed inventory levels and made strategic moves within network to reduce overstock and dead-stock.
Sales Coordinator
Essense Of Australia
11.2021 - 10.2022
Provide administrative and reporting support to Global Sales organization by focusing on sales processes, documentation management, reporting development, procedures, managing departmental requests, and project management for numerous sales related activities, projects, and initiatives
Develop reports on competitive and market research supporting company’s long-term growth and development
Monitor sales initiatives, reporting development, and ensure sales team compliance with company priorities
Create and publish Salesforce Reporting to support seasonal Global Sales Initiatives in both brides and stock selling seasons
Create, maintain, and publish processes and procedures used in Global Sales and Sales Administration department
Utilize Apparel21, Salesforce, Wrike, and Qlik software for daily reports and tasks
Merchant II - Season Cards
Hallmark Cards Inc
08.2021 - 11.2021
Led and coordinated marketplace, situation, and competitive analyses; summarized learnings and recommended actions for executive audience
Created product sales analysis as input to after-action assessment; partnered with advanced analytics teams on larger program assessments or analytical initiatives
Translated product/program strategy into product model lines that balanced performance data and customer/consumer needs. Incorporated competitive research into recommendations.
Understood and influenced end-to-end commercialization path, with awareness of programs through distribution, ship, and installation at retail
Played key role in customer linkage meetings related to assortment decisions to ensure goals of customer as well as business were met
Merchant/Product Developer
Hallmark Cards Inc
06.2018 - 06.2020
Managed $10M wholesale gift product business while focusing on digital transformation and efficiencies in supply chain.
Created program level strategies and developed assortment recommendations based on wholesale data analysis while balancing corporate priorities, customer strategies, and past performance.
Analyzed consumer research to enhance effective decision-making; incorporated customer and competitive/trend research into program strategy.
Collaborated with product designers to develop product lines that met identified merchandise and assortment requirements.
Negotiated costs to maximize gross margin while maintaining competitive retail prices.
Worked closely with Marketing and ecommerce teams to drive merchandise sales in-stores and online.
Created, reviewed, and submitted purchase orders for leadership approval.
Performed forecasting, reporting, and sales analysis.
Ensured vendor compliance with shipping and pricing policies.
Buyer
Rally House-Sampler Stores Inc
12.2016 - 07.2018
Built strong vendor partnerships and negotiated prices and credit terms.
Worked closely with marketing and ecommerce teams to drive merchandise sales in-stores and online.
Managed high volume of purchase orders from aspects of purchase order creation, inventory logistics, receiving, and allocation.
Performed forecasting, reporting, and sales analysis.
Designed and allocated products for placement and sales in all stores.
Negotiated costs to maximize gross margin while maintaining competitive retail prices.
Ensured vendor compliance with shipping and pricing policies.
Identified trends to develop new products, graphics, and Rally House exclusives.
Updated website with content, edits, and new product information.
Communicated regularly with stores using appropriate communication channels.
Sales Assistant
Glance Eyewear
09.2016 - 12.2016
Developed and maintained tracking sheets to monitor and analyze sales by style and by customer on weekly basis.
Tracked and updated regularly status of POs, shipments, inventories and ATS.
Coordinated with internal teams to ensure samples were prepared in timely manner.
Partnered with internal customers and colleagues including Production, Operations, Imports, and Shipping to ensure timely delivery of goods.
Developed working relationships with customers, through showroom and telephone interaction.
Assisted Executive Vice President with meeting preparation, including preparing and managing samples during meetings.
Men's Buying Intern
Buckle, Inc
05.2016 - 07.2016
Spec'd and pulled for approvals.
Shipped packages to vendors.
Organized and dictated appropriate product for photo shoot.
Analyzed sales performance and made recommendations to maximize sales and opportunities.
Understood target customer by store.
Communicated regularly with stores using appropriate communication channels.
Communicated regularly with vendor and merchant community to achieve department goals.
Assisted in buying responsibilities once buyer determined allocation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion: Textiles And Clothing in Business
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO
01.2013 - 08.2016
Skills
Microsoft Office
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Quote
Each small task of everyday life is part of the total harmony of the universe.
Saint Thérèse de Lisieux
Timeline
Merchandise Financial Planner
PetSmart
09.2024 - Current
Category Buyer
Bunzl Processor Division
10.2022 - 09.2024
Sales Coordinator
Essense Of Australia
11.2021 - 10.2022
Merchant II - Season Cards
Hallmark Cards Inc
08.2021 - 11.2021
Merchant/Product Developer
Hallmark Cards Inc
06.2018 - 06.2020
Buyer
Rally House-Sampler Stores Inc
12.2016 - 07.2018
Sales Assistant
Glance Eyewear
09.2016 - 12.2016
Men's Buying Intern
Buckle, Inc
05.2016 - 07.2016
Bachelor of Science - Fashion: Textiles And Clothing in Business