Caitlyn Viars Email & Phone Number

Expanded enterprise customer base and surpassed revenue targets in the swag software management sector by implementing custom-branded merchandise strategies and nurturing client and vendor relationships. Became the go-to swag consultant for clients, offering strategic insight on promotional product selection, optimizing designs, and identifying distribution objectives.-Managed end-to-end lifecycle of premium custom item development, utilizing comprehensive market insights to curate a dynamic selection of trending, customizable hard goods, apparel, and gifts-Directed sourcing, curation, and design processes for custom items, cultivating global vendor relationships to identify innovative, exciting, and ethically sourced products-Led development and execution of custom-branded merchandise programs aligned with clients' brand narratives, increasing brand visibility and customer base loyalty-Orchestrated impactful, large-scale gifting experiences for prestigious top-tier clients across diverse sectors, including SaaS, technology, healthcare, insurance, construction, and communications-Ensured timely and successful completion of projects and client campaigns, maintaining detailed inventory control and monitoring project timelines-Collaborated with clients to meet deadlines for international and domestic events, campaigns, and internal merchandising initiatives

Columbia, Sc

Co-founded with a close friend, Y'all-Mart provides an eclectic, inclusive queer-safe space to showcase unique artists in the community. The independent grassroots market serves as a platform to provide more opportunities for success and representation. Regularly hosts up to 50 vendors and attracts approximately 1,100 attendees, contributing to raising funds for various causes.-Develop comprehensive marketing plans and branding strategies for each quarterly market, establishing consistency across social media platforms-Conceptualize and design, or source, all creative materials for each market, ensuring alignment with the Y'all-Mart brand and theme of the market-Review vendor applications and actively seek out new talent, prioritizing individuals who align with the market's vision and demonstrate high potential for sell-through, and integrating vendors' materials into the overarching marketing strategy-Organize event management logistics, including production of marketing materials, securing event dates, managing venue space, coordinating market setup, resolving day-of-event issues, and serving as a primary communication liaison

Columbia, South Carolina

Played a pivotal role as a key leader and decision-maker within a small business of under 50 employees. Oversaw the design and merchandising operations for six branded apparel lines catering to wholesale, retail, and online customers, generating annual revenues of up to $5 million.-Managed the creation of production files for internal manufacturing, including screen print separations, dye sublimation, embroidery, and direct-to-garment printing, ensuring high-quality outputs and timely delivery-Directed a dynamic creative team in conceptualizing, designing, and executing compelling designs and product materials that resonated with customers, resulting in exceptional sell-through ratesLed and mentored a team of Graphic Illustrators, Designers, Production Artists, and Freelancers, monitoring their progress while implementing growth metrics and development strategies-Cultivated and maintained partnerships with sourcing manufacturers to integrate innovative products into apparel lines-Spearheaded the implementation processes and procedures for new Direct-to-Garment equipment, including staff training and troubleshooting best practices to optimize operation efficiency-Managed the end-to-end launch of a new branded apparel line, from initial conceptualization to final consumer product, ensuring alignment with brand identity and market demand

Columbia, South Carolina Area

Entrusted with making critical business decisions with sound judgment, I processed complex inquiries to enhance customer satisfaction. Provided support to both the Customer Contact Center and Individual Billing Services, consistently exceeding performance targets for both partners.-Selected to spearhead the Complex Billing skill set project and pilot program by developing workflows, procedures, and a training curriculum-Acted as a primary communications liaison between departments for Customer Research-Processed time-sensitive requests from individual customers with a commitment to prompt response and accuracy, handling premium processing, payment adjustments, cancellations, and research requests-Engaged in weekly team collaboration to support culture of continuous improvement and ensure delivery quality customer service

Columbia, South Carolina Area

Responsible for promptly addressing external customers’ inquiries, adhering to documented processes and workflows while identifying opportunities to streamline processes and reduce negative customer experiences.-Collaborated with team members to exchange ideas and propose process improvements to enhance efficiency and raise customer satisfaction levels-Provided hands-on support and constructive feedback to newly trained representatives during live calls, helping them navigate inquiries and develop their customer service delivery

Charleston, South Carolina Area

Led end-to-end product development process from concept to retail, overseeing internal manufacturing or fully packaged sourcing strategies to increase retail business growth. Successfully developed and implemented seasonal product lines across multiple retail brands including Mossy Oak and Realtree for large-scale retailers such as Walmart, Dollar General, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.-Requested, maintained, tracked, and prepared sample inventory for market showcases, sales presentations, and tradeshows-Conducted competitive analyses across multiple markets to determine current and emerging trends, creating product development strategies and ensuring alignment with market demands-Collaborated with technical design team to incorporate innovative elements into product offerings-Initiated weekly meetings with Marketing, Sales, Production, and Distribution departments to address potential issues and enhance overall development process and timelines

New York, New York

Provided support to the Merchandising team through research, data analysis, and inventory management.-Maintained, tracked, and prepared sample inventory for all markets, including inventory for cancelled styles-Assisted in performing sales analyses and monitored merchandise performance by style-Conducted trend, market, and competitive analyses-Assisted in photo shoots with garment coordination and model styling to ensure brand aesthetic and vision were represented

Columbia, South Carolina Area

Develop wholesale policies for payment, shipping terms, order minimums, and exchangesOrganize and manage inventory line sheet with item numbers, item descriptions, and units available Point of sale operations, including customer check out, totaling purchases, receiving cash or credit payments and maintaining sales and inventory recordsDevelop point of sale merchandise displaysMaintain relations with business representatives via emailOrganize and execute fundraising activities for charity events

Use spreadsheets to organize, track, and locate inventory Develop a merchandise buying plan to satisfy the demands and needs of the organizationNegotiate prices and terms with vendors to obtain and develop desired products Determine price points, mark-up rates, mark-down rates to maximize net revenue for the sale of merchandisePoint of Sale operations, including customer check out, totaling purchases, receiving cash or credit payments and maintaining sales and inventory records Develop point of sale merchandise displays and online website marketing strategies