Established in Sept 2009. Helping you navigate your business & guiding you to success. Hardware, Farm, and Home Center Consulting. Experienced at helping manufacturers win line reviews. Specialized in global sourcing and developing private label brands. Experienced at developing and executing the overall merchandising strategy. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and abilities. Managed and made solid business decisions throughout my career. Sales Driven: Supervises, assists, and develops sales representatives in effectively identifying sales opportunities within existing customer base. Advises sales representatives on best practices in promoting and selling company products, programs, and services in order to take advantage of those opportunities. Monitors competitive activity and develops new sales techniques to take advantage of competitive weaknesses. Instrumental in driving new account prospecting and development. Plans, forecasts, and reports on sales, costs, and business performance, according to company requirements.

Menard's is a family-owned company started in 1958, Menard's is headquartered in Eau Claire, WI and has more than 300 home improvement stores located in 14 states within the Midwest. Today, Menard's is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader. And, first and foremost, Menard's has always been committed to providing high-quality Guest service.

Mills Fleet Farm has been proudly serving the Midwest since 1955 and has become the region‘s most trusted name in retail with 42 locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. Mills Fleet Farm remains committed to our founding values: honesty, integrity, hard work, service and loyalty to our Customers and Partners.

Director Level, Merchandise Manager Position:* Built strong relationships with 98 suppliers* Held over 15 line reviews and remodeled the Hardware Department* Categories include: fasteners, anchors, nails and screws, door locks, keys, cabinet hardware, builders hardware, moving supplies, safety, work wear, gloves, rope, chain, fencing, screening, and building materialsA Reliable, Team Leader who leads by example:* Held Product Knowledge training seminars, and mentored 4 trainers* Worked cross-functionally with store operations and human resources to develop a Certified Work Bench Services Training Program* Increased sales in screening, key duplication, and rekeying locks as a result of the work bench training

Greater Chicago Area and BeyondHardware Co-op & Home Center Consulting: * Managed and made solid business decisions about hardware and tools throughout my career*Held numerous line reviews as a Buyer, and participated in line reviews as a Consultant *Experienced at helping manufactures win line reviews, and helping them develop new private label products in order to expand their current business*An e-Commerce expert with experience at amazon.com*An expert in Excel and Microsoft Office ProductsGlobal Sourcing and Private Label Brand Development:*Globally sourced a private label electrical lamp parts program for Ace Hardware *Internationally traveled to Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan in sourcing and negotiating with suppliers*As a buyer, I developed the Sterling Fasteners(R) exclusive private label brand of fasteners for True ValueGlobal Supply Chain Management:*In managing the global supply chain, I have created, nurtured, and enhanced supplier relationships *Utilized the JDA Marketplace to place EDI orders to Ace Hardware using E3 as part of the Ace Hardware collaboration program.*Placed purchase orders to International suppliers *Due to a complete visibility of the supply chain, I have exceeded service level requirements, which resulted in a high approval rating on the vendor scorecardBusiness Plan Development:*Experienced in designing and developing competitive, private label brands*Experienced in developing and executing the overall merchandising strategy*Experienced in managing and making business decisions Pricing Strategies:*Extensive retail and market knowledge of the Hardware and Home Center Industry

Product Merchant* Managed True Value's top selling categories, totaling over 10,000 skus, such as fasteners, builders hardware, keys, signs, letters, numbers, mailboxes, rope, chain, and metal shapes. Interacted with 60+ suppliers. * Developed, sourced and marketed a new line of construction fasteners under a private label, Sterling Fasteners brand name. Successfully turned a declining program of fasteners into a top performing category. * Designed and facilitated a business strategy to promote top line sales with True Value's suppliers. Demonstrated excellent leadership and teamwork skills, by building solid partnerships with True Value suppliers. Refreshed supplier assortments and incrementally grew their business.* Demonstrated solid negotiating skills and negotiated prices on steel related fasteners and metal shapes.

Senior Buyer * Chosen to grow the hand and power tool business at Amazon.com.* Successfully adapted to the online culture, and helped Amazon.com facilitate its move of the hand and power tool business from Grand Forks, ND to Seattle, WA.* Utilized my online marketing skills to increase hand tool sales by 32%. * Created marketing plans to drive sales and exceed my budgeted sales plans. * Increased profitability of woodworking power tools, established a new woodworking home page, and negotiated better terms and freight with the suppliers.

* Led product reviews and researched product lines nearing $200 million in sales. Product categories included door locks, cabinet hardware, keys, shelving, builders hardware, fasteners, casters, mailboxes, rope, chain, and safety products.