Grow product categories through market research to identify new products and/or markets. Launch new products by determining product specifications, requirements, pricing, conducting ROI analysis and producing timetable for introduction. Develop national and customer centric marketing strategies to ensure every product launch addresses a need in the marketplace.• Successfully launched a home organization product category that addressed a gap in the market. • Liaised with suppliers from… Show more Grow product categories through market research to identify new products and/or markets. Launch new products by determining product specifications, requirements, pricing, conducting ROI analysis and producing timetable for introduction. Develop national and customer centric marketing strategies to ensure every product launch addresses a need in the marketplace.• Successfully launched a home organization product category that addressed a gap in the market. • Liaised with suppliers from different countries to launch their products in North American retailers.• Managed the entire product life cycle from inception to conducting post-launch analysis.• Developed and implemented a go-to-market plan coordinating with sales, purchasing, legal and suppliers to successfully execute. Show less

Analyzed and capitalized on sales growth opportunities by applying insights from marketplace analysis and category strategy reviews. Created strategies to consistently exceed sales and gross margin targets. Identified and transitioned vendor to a scan-based trading model.• Achieved 30% increase in sales and 15% increase in gross margin dollars for Dollar Shop and received “Most Improved Category” award by developing a new strategy; including: new product assortment, adjacencies and new… Show more Analyzed and capitalized on sales growth opportunities by applying insights from marketplace analysis and category strategy reviews. Created strategies to consistently exceed sales and gross margin targets. Identified and transitioned vendor to a scan-based trading model.• Achieved 30% increase in sales and 15% increase in gross margin dollars for Dollar Shop and received “Most Improved Category” award by developing a new strategy; including: new product assortment, adjacencies and new physical layout (in some locations).• Introduced a premium private label automotive product into assortment, increasing sales and gross margin by 7% and 5% respectively.• Increased private label hardware penetration from 12% to 66% and forecasted gross margin increase of 10 basis points by negotiating reduced costing from vendors.• Increased sales of core hardware category by 10%. • Minimized gross margin loss by 10-25% through creation of an advertising support program with vendors. Show less

Supported Category Managers with quarterly seasonal financial planning. Led vendor negotiations for special costing on promotional items and provided support to Category Manager for costing of in-line items. Collaborated with Merchandising team to create and implement planograms. Identified and corrected ambiguities in promotional messaging for weekly flyers.• Increased sales generated from advertising by 5-10% through promotion planning process improvements.• Reduced training time by… Show more Supported Category Managers with quarterly seasonal financial planning. Led vendor negotiations for special costing on promotional items and provided support to Category Manager for costing of in-line items. Collaborated with Merchandising team to create and implement planograms. Identified and corrected ambiguities in promotional messaging for weekly flyers.• Increased sales generated from advertising by 5-10% through promotion planning process improvements.• Reduced training time by five days for new or transferred Category Managers by creating a standardized seasonal goods buying process. • Led vendor meetings to review submissions for new items to drive sales and profit. Show less

Maintained product service levels for all distribution centres. Managed and adjusted product level forecasts. Supervised inventory and replenishment flow from vendor to store.• Lowered minimum order quantity by 25% through negotiations with electrical accessories vendor. • Ensured forecast and flow requirements were executed to defined target/standards in collaboration with internal teams and vendors.