Christopher Lottes Email & Phone Number

United States

United States

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Member of the Purchasing Leadership Team with oversight of up to 40 team members and complete oversight of company inventory• Project Manager for, and led the implementation of statistical forecasting module in Anaplan, and influenced overall design and functionality of product• Co-led the design and implementation of department procurement module in Anaplan• Manage development and annual performance reviews for a team of 9 Buyers/Demand Planners/Inventory Analysts/Purchasing Coordinators ranging from entry level to senior level employees. Leading team in performance of key department metrics of margin, turnover, and fill rate• Coached 6 employees through departmental career path resulting in promotion to the next level of their position, including one into a leadership position• Collaborated with Buyers on all vendor promotions and marketing campaigns, responsible for selection and approval for all vendor marketing strategy• Led departmental training on marketing strategy and opportunities, departmental career path, and the formal relationship between Buyers and Inventory Planners• Co-led cross functional team in prioritizing and filling content of company’s marketing channels including print, web, email, box inserts, and social media• Co-led development, implementation, and process of company’s premier marketing piece, Call Up, a 32-page monthly sales magazine distributed to over 6000 retailers• Led project to develop/refine departmental career path and documentation• Supported purchasing team through company transition to SAP software• Cross-functionally led Seasonal Essentials program, a spring sales program incorporating Purchasing, Sales, and Marketing, designed to drive sales during a challenging spring selling season

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Responsible for vendor and product management, marketing strategy, assortment planning, pricing strategy, developing relationships, and maintaining a profitable portfolio for up to 30 vendor accounts and 2500 SKUs.• Responsible for both domestic and international product sourcing as well as dual-sourcing models.• Direct purchasing, sales and marketing strategy for company's 3rd largest vendor account.• Increased average annual fill rate from 80% to 92% while dramatically decreasing average annual for company's 3rd largest vendor.• Negotiated the annual sales and marketing budget with company's 3rd largest vendor, ensuring a 1.5% return on all purchases plus additional percentage points based upon target purchase levels.• Developed and maintained annual sales and marketing budget for company's 3rd largest vendor account.• Led the initiative to define the relationship between Buyer and Inventory Planner, and outlined where unique and overlapping responsibilities lie.• Selected by senior leadership to participate in QBP Leadership Institute (facilitated by University of Wisconsin – Madison)• Prior to being hired as a Supervisor, I was chosen by management to be a mentor for Buyers including a struggling employee, ultimately resulting in the promotion of the employee.• International business experience working with vendors from the US, Italy, Taiwan, China, Japan, the UK and the Netherlands.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Negotiated with a large vendor seeking to leave the company to continue their partnership. I then negotiating direct sourcing of their product from China which resulted in an additional 8% margin. • Developed a new forecasting and replenishment strategy for key vendor master distributor inventory, which resulted in increased fill rate from 75% to 97%, while dramatically decreasing average annual inventory. • Served as a departmental lead and resource during the department-wide implementation of Infor Demand Planning software.

Madison, Wisconsin Area

• Responsible for assortment planning, merchandising of retail floor, margin, fill rate, and turnover for all bicycle parts and accessories for all stocked product and special orders. Directing ongoing inventory cycle counts.• Responsible for management and scheduling of all mechanics at yearly off-site sale. • Developed an efficient, streamlined process to ensure customers’ bikes were tuned-up and all accessories installed prior to taking delivery of their bike at our annual off-site sale.

Madison, Wisconsin Area

Manage work flow for 15 sales employees, ensuring all customer needs are met, replenishment of showroom floor and evaluating the value of all trade-ins.

Madison, Wisconsin Area

Responsible for opening and closing of the store, managing employees and sales.

Madison, Wisconsin Area

Sales of new bicycles.

Mt. Horeb, Wi

Responsible for leadership and instruction of skiing and ski racing for a team of 75 skiers ranging in age from 5-19.

Madison, Wisconsin Area

Sales, delivery, collection accounts, ski tech.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.)

Associate Of Science (A.S.)