Manage kitchenwares, appliances, furniture, tabletop, and domestics categories.

• Drives financial results by executing operational standards, merchandising strategies, and delivering exceptional customer service.• Coaches and trains store associates to ensure effective execution of customer service and scheduled tasks.• Manages scheduling and payroll to generate sales and meet budget goals.• Builds brand loyalty by promoting and offering customers the corporate rewards program.• Reviews business needs and utilizes reactionary merchandising tactics to capitalize on opportunities.

Executes project based assignments to assist Director of Sales in analyzing key accounts.

• Managed purchasing, merchandising, and marketing for the in-store and online education class program and gift card programs. • Analyzed and reported on the efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability of programs. • Collaborate with store operations to write and implement the procedures and policies for the education class program. • Managed development of class curriculum for in-store and online sewing and crafting classes.• Developed marketing tactics and promotions for programs to capture new customer information for data base.• Built merchant process for launching new class content on website through effective documentation.• Created content and design for class catalog, in-store signing, and digital pages.• Executed the buying and product presentation for Gift Card Mall and for the Jo-Ann Gift Card.

• Managed the merchandise purchasing, planning, and promotional strategies for multiple product categories across various retail channels to deliver shop operating plan. • Developed product assortments to drive retail sales and to achieve margin dollar plan as well as maintain an inventory position to support sales trend. My plan-o-gram analysis and review process was mapped and rolled out as a new corporate initiative for all buying teams to use for product reviews.• Partnered with planners and product development to build private label merchandise programs, establish brand strategy, and set pricing model.• Negotiated vendor support for shelf placement, marketing initiatives, clearance funding, and promotions.• Prepared presentations to communicate seasonal assortment buys and plan-o-gram updates to executive level.• Positioned product categories as authority assortments and obtained market share from direct competition.

• Supported Buyer with assortment selection and in-store presentation.• Tracked product assortment performance on ladder plans and recommended pricing actions based on sell-through measures. • Managed end cap and feature item buys which increased sales through better visual presentation.• Communicated with vendors on expediting purchase orders and ensuring ship dates were met.• Promoted to Buyer after two years for achieving sales plans on merchandise programs.