Amanda Wolf Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, MN, US

• Management of vendor partnership contacts with 300 vendors’ regarding pricing, terms, and program funding. Resulting in a 4% increase in gross margin and partnership funds year over year.
• Formulated growth strategies using digital analytics and POS data, optimizing store assortment and completing over 100 POGs in owned categories.
• Executed product assortment strategy with over 25, 000 SKUs across warehouse and e-commerce platforms to enhance member competitiveness and profitability in paint, home décor, consumables, and cleaning categories.
• Lead a team in executing innovative space management plans and optimized product assortment through strategic Category Management, leading to a significant increase in sales.
• Worked cross-functionally on significant projects such as developing the United Hardware website, content management for owned categories, devising trade show strategies, and effectively communicating vital information.

• Negotiate pricing, terms, and other contractual issues with suppliers. Contributing to over $40,000 in cost savings in 2019.
• Used innovation and recommend new processes and solutions that are focused on improving efficiencies within the organization.
• Effectively source project requirements from Sales, analyze which suppliers could best meet the business’ needs, obtain pricing from qualified sources, and recommend the optimal option.
• Monitor inventory levels and adjust replenishment to minimize inventory and maximize service levels, contributing to over 13 plus years of 99% on time delivery.
• Resolve discrepancies and/ or issues as they occur during the purchase order cycle.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Drove merchandise strategy, including collaborative work within the function (distribution and logistics, business development, digital, etc.). and across the organization for corporate and franchise locations.
• Managed key vendor relations to enhance merchandise planning across distribution, e-commerce, and retail sales.
• Managed e-commerce and warehouse assortments, coordinated updates with stakeholders, reviewed productivity, and communicated timelines and milestones effectively.
• Excelled in developing and optimizing a forward-thinking Sales Strategy, resulting in increased customer loyalty and product turnover
• Monitored the haircare and complementary markets for new vendor's & products, trends, competitive strategies, and industry direction.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Devised an annual and monthly sales and gross margin forecasting plan to meet order budgets.
• Leveraged knowledge of market trends to enhance Assortment Planning, ensuring a diverse and appealing product selection for customers
• Improved vendor relationships, resulting in a 5% gross margin increase through a new wholesale pricing structure.
• Collaborated daily with vendor's, marketing, finance, and planning teams to manage assortments, retail promotions, and inventory challenges.
• Managed Merchandise Analyst who assists in executing promotional and pricing strategies.

• Ensured timely and efficient product flow by partnering with vendors, logistics and distribution centers.
• Reduced costs from the prior year of $1.5M by analyzing outbound shipments during promotional periods.
• Developed annual inventory forecasts and provide vendor partners with future receipt plans.
• Responsible for distribution and salon inventory levels that support sales forecasts within open to buy budget.
• Managed a team of 2 Associate Planners.

Edina, MN

• Supported the Merchandising team by analyzing forecasting metrics on a monthly basis to drive appropriate on-hand inventory levels.
• Tracked divisional inventory levels, margins, discontinuations, repackaged merchandise, and inventory turns.
• Produced analytics of price optimization performance, promotional effectiveness, same store sales, and sales mix.
• Responsible for maintaining existing merchandising reports which involves knowledge and manipulation of internal data systems.

Edina, MN

• Reviewed salons orders for accuracy, forecasted demand and financial impact.
• Strategically allocated products to support monthly promotions and forecasted sales Reviewed salons orders for accuracy, forecast demand, and financial impact.
• Communicated daily with Salon Managers, Supervisors, and Management to answer questions and solve problems regarding merchandising orders and promotions
• Managed salon inventory budgets to ensure a balance between optimal shop inventory levels and service margins
• Analyzed out of stocks to drive sales through strategic inventory management