Carly Mandarano Email & Phone Number

-Conceive and establish a global visual merchandising strategy for 300 stores with 10 different formats, combining both strategic and creative aspects that maximize sales across the enterprise.-Key member of Stores Leadership Team and CEO’s weekly store design executive council, advise and partner on the creation of visual merchandising programs that support strategic initiatives and impact business goals.-Collaborate with Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Merchandising Officer to align sales and buying strategies with in-store visual execution to maximize customer experience and results.- Lead and develop a highly effective team of managers and specialists to design, create and implement monthly visual merchandising updates, product and partner initatives, store signage packets, CAD layouts, and all refresh/relocation support materials. -Educate and coach Zone Vice Presidents and Regional Directors on how and why flawless visual merchandising execution supports sales and margin business results. -Develop best in class visual standards for all store formats and implemented through the creation of video-based training, job aides, reference materials and targeted virtual and in person visits to ensure a unified experience for the guest. -Source and implement a real-time Visual Intelligence Platform app, Pop Tracker, to measure execution and compliance of visual standards. -Establish enterprise-wide strategy and implementation plans for all visual merchandising elements including visual guidelines and display standards, planograms, display fixtures, window displays, seasonal changes.-Partner and collaborate with store operations, marketing, learning and development, store design, merchant team, creative and purchasing and to ensure all projects are designed in support of the company’s strategy of flawless omni channel execution.

- Worked cross-functionally with Marketing and Digital teams to establish cohesive omni channel strategies including promotions, in-store signage and overall customer experiences.- Actively promoted and drive testing of new strategies to continuously evolve and improve the in- store customer experience and loyalty.- Maintained timelines and develop plans in partnership with the Store Support corporate team to ensure all programs/communications are effectively delivered to stores team.- Designed all store visual communication for product launches, sale set ups, monthly updates, and sign kits using InDesign.- Partnered with the merchant team to present all product in a unique and compelling way that support the brand and inspire customers to purchase.- Coached and develop Visual Operations Assistant and Visual Designer team members.- Managed development with Store Development team for new stores, relocation and refreshed stores including communications, store layout, space planning, and store set up.- Traveled to new and relocation stores to ensure stores are being set to brand standards. Train store management team on visual merchandising standards for the new store layout.- Partnered with Learning and Development Team to create the first ever Visual Merchandising Foundations training program for the field management team.- Lead and support ‘bringing the brand to life’ at all company events, including Corporate Town halls and Field Sales Meeting.- Managed communication and partnership with external design firms, manufacturers, and preferred vendors.- Redesigned the store layout, in support of new company strategy, to improve sales and the overall customer shopping experience. Including, an enhanced and larger “bridal and bridesmaids’ shop” and a more prominently placed prom and occasion shop.

- Conceived and designed a new “bridal shop” concept and implemented across the entire chain. The new bridal shop resulted in a 3% bridal conversion increase. - Re-merchandised the visual presentation of all in-store accessories to provide a dedicated space for every category and improve negative sales trend. Resulted in a 5% increase over prior year. - Assisted with creating visual merchandising direction for product launches, sale set ups, monthly updates, and sign kits.- Developed first-ever Store Visual Merchandising Standard Guides for new store and core store layouts. - Created, coordinated and scheduled all visual merchandising communications and store tasks via the Field Intranet.- Created, coordinated and managed calendars outlining monthly visual updates, product launches, testing strategies and promotion set ups.- Developed, in partnership with creative department, all new in store product and marketing presentations for the customer.- Managed visual samples, fixtures and sign library.- Managed and facilitated a two-way communications process with corporate visual team and stores team to ensure high-support and clear visual merchandising execution across the chain.

- Managed the email content calendar for ecommerce, store product campaigns and trigger emails.- Partnered with internal teams and department heads to ensure the business goals are being met in all email campaigns.- Reviewed all creative assets to ensure that creative is optimized for email delivery and performance.- Managed budget for email program.- Track email results and generate weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly reports.

- Developed and managed the email calendar.- Produced six email marketing campaigns a week across three brands.- Built weekly customer email campaigns including text, HTML and subject lines.- Reviewed and analyzed email results and generated weekly reports to determine go-forward strategies. - Utilized web metrics to evaluate performance of website experience.- Identified, developed, and implemented strategic on-line promotional opportunities to meet ecommerce sales growth targets.

- Traveled to new stores to implement floor sets.- Developed floor-set plans in collaboration with buyers and visual team on a monthly basis for the field team.- Communicated with vendors on a daily basis regarding product, purchase orders, fit samples, marketing samples, negotiating costs and deliveries.- Presented ‘Best Seller’ info to merchant team on a bi-weekly basis.- Reviewed lab dips and trims with Product Development team and send comments to vendors.- Attended fit sessions and assist in making alterations to styling and construction.- Collaborated with buyers and planners to formulate seasonal plans and ‘open to buy’ budgets.- Analyzed selling and generate reports on a weekly basis.- Evaluated color/size selling and key item plans with planner and buyer.

- Trained and developed all store staff.- Ensured productivity goals were met while adhering to company defined best practices. Resulted in a 3% increase over prior year. - Managed the execution of in-store marketing.- Ensured all visual elements within department(s) were set and maintained to company standards.- Responsible for changing all store displays and completing the floor set every month.

Buyer (1/2005- 11/2005) / Assistant Buyer (9/2003- 1/2005)- Responsible for buying $24 million dollars for missy, petite and plus pant area for all stores.- Formulated seasonal plans, maintained ‘open to buy’ budget including monitoring inventory levels and markdowns.- Negotiated and approved all prices with vendors.- Analyzed selling reports on a daily basis to react to business needs.- Increased sales from previous years by 4%.

King Of Prussia, Pa

- Assisted clients to build on existing wardrobes and build new wardrobes for recent graduates and others entering business world.- Assisted visual manager in completing window displays and floor set every month.- Traveled monthly to surrounding stores to assist with their floor set. - Communicated product knowledge of cuts, fabrics and materials with clients