Cindy Levesque Email & Phone Number

Business Innovator, Team Leader, Sales Driver

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Established a front end strategy for the new Gander Outdoors brand called the Market that was a "window to the store" of how the customer relaxes and plays. Created a space that feels like a treasure hunt, is locally relevant and is highly impulsive. Determined strategy road map, white space opportunities and volume potentialDeveloped product mix that was 45% food/beverage and 55% novelty impulse categoriesExecuted a very aggressive new store roll out in an extremely compressed time frame

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Responsible for formulating and developing strategy, assortment planning, pricing, product development, managing vendor relationships and delivering all financial metrics for the Girls Accessories business

Managed product selection and financial metrics of multiple categories, including sport socks, casual hosiery, slippers, sheer hosiery, fashion leggings and tights.-Upgraded product quality, simplified assortment, identified white space opportunities, and aligned brand positioning with broader brand strategies

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Worked with a range of designers to interpret their aesthetic and create an assortment that was unique for our shoppers, drove sales and created market buzz. I was the company point of contact for all designer collaborations and worked with buying teams across the company to make sure that we maintained a consistent guest experience with each new launch.

Business Development Manager in Grocery at SuperValu. Total category volume that I was responsible for was $1.2 Billion; 58% of dairy sales. Developed and negotiated strategy, promotional plans, assortment optimization and delivering financial results for key Dairy categories. Categories include Fluid Milk, Cultured, Yogurt, Juice, Eggs, and Refrigerated Baked Goods. Successfully worked with large CPG companies to drive financial results in multiple categories.

Responsible for both planning and allocation for a $200M portion of the men's business including tailored clothing, men's pants, outerwear, shoes, dress shirts, neck wear, accessories, and furnishings. I managed a team of 14 planners with six direct reports. Key responsibilities were store planning and inventory management, forecasting, segmentation, and assortment building. Partnered with Divisional Merchandise Manager of business to drive mutual goals for sales growth as well as other key business objectives.

During my time at Marshall Fields I was also a "Swat Senior Buyer" for six years. In that role I moved every 3-6 months to a new assignment as a senior buyer. Chosen to be on the swat team based on experience level and the ability to quickly get up to speed on business opportunities and issues. Brought into an each area to work with the team, drive business, and manage the P&L when a Senior Buyer's was on a leave of absence. Fulfilled roles in Women's Apparel, Cosmetics, Kids, Home, Stationary, Intimate, Men's and the Negotiation team.Additional Relevant ExperienceMARSHALL FIELDS DEPARTMENT STORES, Minneapolis, MinnesotaSr. Buyer Men’s Sportswear • Developed product for the Men’s sportswear label that drove $40 million annually. • Based on remix of product, turned around business in one year +2% vs. a prior year of -10%Sr. Buyer Men’s Accessories • Delivered financials in the Men’s accessories business by extensive assortment planning including reducing SKUS, eliminating duplication, maximizing key vendors that differentiated us from our competitors, as well as exploding trend categories like cigar accessories.Sr. Buyer- Junior Tops, Collections and Related Separates • Worked with key domestic vendors to develop trend sweaters and knits exclusive to our store to drive incremental business in our large key item categories. KOHL'S DEPARTMENT STORES, Milwaukee, Wisconsin• Buyer and Assistant Buyer