Amy Bakker Email & Phone Number

Duluth, Minnesota, United States

• Responsible for overall sourcing strategy for high visibility category including vendor allocation, creating seasonal strategies to ensure on time delivery and driving cost engineering/negotiating to meet overall cost targets supporting annual cost receipts of $58M.⮚ Created and maintain monthly reporting to executive team including outstanding Liabilities/Positioned Fabric Recaps as well as identifying potential China Tariff Risk.⮚ Hired and developed one direct report and reported to the Director of Sourcing.

Duluth, Minnesota Area

Associate Sourcing Manger – Basic KnitsNov 2018 – April 2020⮚ Support product development life cycle from initial concept to PO issuance by working closely with cross functional teams to adhere to production timelines which required collaboration across Merchandising, Design, TD and Vendors.⮚ Develop strategic vendor relationships and created 2-year sourcing plans which are the foundation for capacity planning and ensuring cost savings goals are achieved annually.⮚ Demonstrated strong negotiation skills achieving $1.3M in cost savings for the year resulting in higher margins and profitability for the company.

Duluth, Minnesota

Merchandise Planner – Sweaters & Dresses – July 2017 – Nov 2018• Developed financially sound season/class plans through research and analysis, for multiple departments supporting annual sales of $130 million in 900+ retail stores and ecommerce. • Created financial plans that defined the sales and inventory targets (in units, cost dollars and retail dollars), across both selling channels, in alignment with corporate fiscal expectations and present these plans to the Executive team on a quarterly basis.• Analyzed trends, re-forecast sales, markdowns and inventory at a weekly level to react to business needs.• Managed Open-to-Buy through accurate inventory, sales and markdown forecasts across multiple seasons, classes and channels and participated in monthly Executive OTB Meetings to discuss risk, opportunities and next action steps.Merchandise Planner – Fashion Knit Tops – June 2014 to July 2017 • Developed detailed financial plans for Fashion Knits supporting annual sales of $135 million.⮚ Exceeded 2015 sales plan by +$13M (13%) to sales plan driving +$11M in gross margin dollars resulting in a best ever gross margin rate for the category. Cross functional team was recognized for these results by winning the Vision Award for Merchandising Team of the Year. ⮚ Completed Emerging Leadership Program a comprehensive training course covering leadership fundamentals facilitated by executive team.

Sandpoint Id, 83864

Responsible for developing detailed financial plans for multiple categories in the bottoms business supporting annual sales of $60 million in 350+ retail stores, ecommerce & catalog. These financial plans defined the sales and inventory targets (in units, cost dollars and retail dollars) for each category, across all selling channels, in alignment with corporate fiscal expectations.This role required patient coordination across multiple lines of business including, but not limited to, Merchandising, Allocation, Visual, Sourcing, Marketing and Finance.Key accomplishments included: Annual sales representing nearly 10% of the company’s annual revenue, developed a rigorous forecasting methodology for core fabrics; created a “chase” (in season purchasing) strategy that leveraged global franchise fabric positioning.

Responsibilities included developing bottoms-up financial plans for the newest categories in the business. These financial plans include full price & markdown sales across retail and direct channels. Key accomplishments included: launched the first retail leisure assortment in 66 stores driving over $3 million in incremental sales; managed total annual volume of $25 million across all categories; and reacted to Sweatshirt category trend resulting in $15 million incremental business annually.

In this complex and multi-faceted role, I managed inventory levels in dozens of Factory Stores, while also managing the profitability of that inventory through comprehensive sales, margin and pricing analysis. This role required careful collaboration across a variety of business units, including Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, Inventory Management, Merchandising and Sourcing.

Provided analytical and clerical support to the Inventory Planners across multiple teams. Created numerous inter and intra department process improvements which remain in place today. Led a variety of special projects after repeatedly demonstrating exceptional organizational and communication skills.