Drive the execution of all processes in the product lifecycle for $768M Office Supplies categories; Office Accessories, Mail & Shipping, Storage, Dates & Forms, Note Taking, Office Essentials, Writing, Bags & Luggage, School Supplies, BTS, Labeling, Filing and Binding.

Responsible for the development and execution of the strategic category plan for multiple departments, total volume $678M. Oversees the channel strategy, vertical engagement, store optimization, offer development and the go to market strategy. Provide consumer solutions by segment including vertical execution to maximize customer spend. Develop new products, services and solutions to fill gaps within the assortment. Partners with senior leadership to develop 1-3 year strategy plans for categories by customer type for assigned categories.Works with the Director in the establishment and execution of the necessary category plans, strategies and tactics to deliver the sales, margin and inventory objectives supporting the solution strategy. Promotes the objectives to which the Assortment Optimization Specialist, Private Brand, Finance, Solution Insights and Product Optimization Specialist operate.

Directed daily buying operations and team of five buyers, allocators and planner. Set and executed strategy over procurement of grocery, pets, household chemical, consumable, general merchandise, automotive, health and beauty aids, and produce items. Established and implemented growth road map for Texas market. Targeted and closed deals with key brands to generate rapid, sustainable growth.Selected Achievements:• Responsible for sales of $200M.• Catalyzed 16% increase in comparable sales through business development and relationship building.• Captured 17% SKU optimization by collaborating with vice presidents of merchandising and suppliers to streamline related processes.• Generated 10% savings by integrating plan to reduce freight costs.• Added several new local Texas supplier accounts, improving brand penetration.

Progressed through various levels of increased leadership responsibilities due to exemplary performance. As VP of Merchandising, created and executed strategies to promote sales and profits in household chemicals, pets, paper goods, health and beauty aids, ethnic and cosmetic goods, grocery, consumable, candy, tobacco, and adult beverage categories. Worked with marketing, operations, replenishment, supplier, and other support teams to address goals. Procured household paper goods and household chemicals products.Selected Achievements:• Managed a team of five Buyers and an Assistant Buyer.• Responsible for sales of $380M.• Grew sales and profits beyond area growth for four consecutive years. • Achieved more than 19% of company’s general merchandise sales and profits. • Developed and implemented best practices for managing all spend activities including supplier consolidation, demand reduction, supply chain optimization and inventory control to control cost and optimize value.• Developed and launched Private Label program.• Implemented e-Auction process across each category, creating +$300K in profit savings.• Promoted to Director of Merchandising (10/14 - 5/15), sales of $340M. Categories: household chemicals, paper goods, H&BA, ethnic, and cosmetic products.• Buyer (2/12 - 10/14): managed $100M household chemicals and $85M paper goods categories.

Define and implement strategies to drive Sales and Profit within the following categories; Household Chemicals & Paper Goods, Picnic Supplies, Food Storage, Trash bags, Diapers, Health & Beauty Aids, Ethnic and Cosmetics. Engaging larger cross functional team to achieve objectives; Marketing, Operations, Replenishment, Suppliers, and other support teams. Managed a team of five Buyers.

Buyer Household Paper, Picnic Supplies, Food Storage, Trash Bags and Diapers. Promoted to Buyer for Household Chemicals.

Directed category team assistant and replenishment and planning team in designing and launching strategic business plan to purchase products. Established clear goals and objectives for each team member and provided honest and timely feedback.Selected Achievements:• Responsible for sales in excess of $1B.• Managed Stationery, Office Supplies, Safes, Shredders, Back to School/Back to College categories.• Reached 91% sell-through and 6% market share for seasonal Back to School/Back to College.• Created and launched new Private Label Office Supplies brand, developed 1200 import item assortment.• Sourced, developed and implemented $30M import fashion office assortment.• Implemented e-Auction process across Shredder category. • Selected Buyer of the Quarter twice. • Won “Sam Would Have Been Proud” Award.• Selected to attend “Up and Coming Leaders” training series.• Promoted from Buyer of Fishing and Water Sports (6/07 - 7/09), sales in excess of $400M.

Supervised operations, merchandising, store layout, and other teams in automobile wipers, wiper motors, belts, hoses, power steering, and exhaust parts and service areas. Worked with internal product development team and outside suppliers to revamp entire private label program.Selected Achievements:• Developed and implemented strategic business plans with strategic supplier partners, marketing, and merchandising teams.• Helped create and suggest new business procedures to improve efficiencies. • Developed and implemented private label assortment across all product categories.• Worked with product development and suppliers to redesign packaging.• Worked with cross functional teams to implement 'EverDrive Used Parts Program'.• Reduced 'Undamaged Return Rate' from 24% to 20%.• Managed Top 100 VDP parts. Implemented process to capture additional sales by adding top special order parts into distribution channel.• Named Buyer of the Quarter, 2005• Selected as Buyer of the Year Runner-Up, 2005