• 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 within divisions to enhance member service.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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