Ashley Blaschka Email & Phone Number

Austin, Tx, Us

Us

Mom, Keeper of the Peace, Youth Sports Cheerleader, Chef, Carpool Uber, Playdate and Birthday Party Event Planner, PTA volunteer

Atlanta, Ga, Us

• Managed sales and relationships across three product lines for primary accounts including Hobby Lobby, The Home Depot, Lowes, and Wal-Mart.• Oversaw end to end management of all accounts working across multiple departments including operations, marketing, R&D, and finance to deliver against business objectives.• Conducted retail sales meetings and delivered effective sales presentations to meet revenue goals.• Created and implemented strategies to achieve individual account revenue targets to meet company growth objectives.• Collaborated with marketing team to ensure that customer and channel requirements were met for product labeling and packaging.• Interacted with marketing to develop key customer messages, unique item assortments, displays, and point of purchase collateral designed to optimize sell through.• Researched and tracked sales by account and stores in order to inform, influence and advise buying and inventory team strategies.• Developed and maintained relationships throughout customer buying and inventory teams.• Negotiated and maintained vendor agreements, customer set ups, item set ups and maintenance.• Assisted in the development of quarterly board meeting materials.• Exhibited at annual trade shows including Independent Hardware Chains, Ace Hardware and Do It Best, and Michaels Craft Store.• Managed and collaborated with outside sales reps for boutique and specialty retailers.

Chicago, Il, Us

• Promoted to Buyer position managing the dinnerware, glassware, flatware, and pantry product lines.• Achieved sales, margin, and inventory goals of $50 million in retail sales annually.• Managed all aspects of merchandise planning including selection, negotiation, promotion, disposition, and visual merchandising.• Led marketing, planning and proofing including in-store events, the weekly circular channel, and digital promotions (social media campaigns and blogging).• Served as brand and product ambassador for all private label categories.• Forecasted sales and inventory needs across 1000 stores. • Built competitive analysis for all categories compiling product, pricing, and promotional data across many retail channels.• Managed 1-2 assistant buyers and/or interns.

Chicago, Il, Us

Small Kitchen Appliances and As Seen on TV July 2010- July 2011Kitchenware- cookware, bakeware, cutlery, tools and gadgets May 2008-July 2010Home Storage and Organization- closet organization, plastic storage, juvenile organization, kitchen organization, laundry and waste products July 2007-May 2008 • Planned and executed sales, gross margin, markdown, advertising/marketing, and inventory plans.• Developed and executed solutions to rapidly address any deviations to the financial plan.• Monitored and analyzed assortments, competitive landscape, and emerging trends to inform new product launches. • Exhibited strong communication and negotiation skills with vendor community to build solid partnerships. • Demonstrated exceptional organizational and multi-tasking skills to simultaneously manage several projects. • Planned and executed all seasonal and special out of assortment buys to drive incremental sales to department.• Received the 2007 Perseverance Award for successfully launching a department reset during a time of limited resources. • Grew the As Seen on TV category from $10 million in annual sales to $30 million in projected annual sales with 1 year of strategic planning and execution including all negotiations, product selection, marketing planning, and in-store merchandising.• Gained experience with private label/exclusive, licensed, and national brands including Martha Stewart, Gordon Ramsay, Country Living, Rubbermaid, Hamilton Beach brands, Jarden Consumer brands, Green Mountain Coffee, Tfal, Meyer, World Kitchen brands, and Disney consumer products.

Chicago, Il, Us

• Assisted team in buying and inventory in achieving sales, gross margin, and inventory goals for 13 category groups within the Home Storage and Organization Department with a large emphasis and key responsibility in promotional planning. • Communicated with multiple cross functional teams including inventory, design, sourcing, marketing, and space planning to ensure smooth and effective transitions of merchandise at the store level.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

• Analyzed merchandise performance reports, direction from home office, current trends and apply creative abilities to effectively merchandise apparel. • Managed various tasks throughout the day to achieve sales plan, react quickly to fluctuating business demands• Communicated with buying and inventory to maximize department sales• Analyzed and managed payroll and scheduling • Coordinated human resource functions including recruiting, interviewing, continual training and development, and reviewing associate productivity

Bs, Textiles, Apparel, And Merchandising

Executive Internship At Kohl'S Dept Stores