Gary Hoiem Email & Phone Number

Lake Frederick, Va

After 50+ years in the Toy Retail/Wholesale sector, I felt this is the right time to begin a new chapter! Doting grandfather expecting 2nd grandson in January, new home in a new state and more time for myself! Quickly getting used to resort life in a 55+ lakefront community! Trilogy at Lake Frederick is the community, built by Shea Homes.

Parsippany, Nj

Continuing education in wholesale toy business while pondering retirement.

Paramus, Nj

Advising companies on a variety of business disciplines including:ProcurementSourcingMerchandisingIntellectual PropertyNew store developmentProduct and brand managementLogisticsCustomer ServiceNew supplier onboardingProduct safety

Cranbury, Nj

Franklin Lakes, Nj

Strategic consulting in the development of exclusive toy, baby and related categories of products including sourcing, packaging, marketing and logistics. Project management of off-shore suppliers ensuring compliance with quality, delivery and regulatory requirements.

Hoboken,Nj

Managed all aspects of retail account services to include: maintaining Price Lists, providing item quotes, adherence to all compliance requirements (product safety, shipping, item setup, etc) and coordination of samples for sales teams. Trade Show participation - showroom set-up and sales support material. Analyze sales and shipping reports by customer. Work with China staff to ensure on-time shipment and adherence to all customer requirements.

Wayne, Nj

•Directed and implemented strategies relating to the Toys “R” Us reverse auction product sourcing initiative. Obtained savings of over $21M against spend of $121M.•Managed internal compliance with corporate sourcing initiatives (i.e. vendor/item selection review and selection, final cost negotiation, product quality and safety review)•Trained and supported new bidders in use of on-line auction tool. Provided on-boarding information (liability insurance, product testing, EDI… Show more •Directed and implemented strategies relating to the Toys “R” Us reverse auction product sourcing initiative. Obtained savings of over $21M against spend of $121M.•Managed internal compliance with corporate sourcing initiatives (i.e. vendor/item selection review and selection, final cost negotiation, product quality and safety review)•Trained and supported new bidders in use of on-line auction tool. Provided on-boarding information (liability insurance, product testing, EDI requirements, etc.) Show less

Wayne, Nj

•Managed corporate intellectual property (patents, trademarks and copyrights) with in-house Legal Department.•Organized and directed annual global merchandising trips to Dallas and Hong Kong for 120 – 250 Toys “R” Us associates. This included buyer/vendor scheduling, sample layouts, vendor negotiations and system support with IT Department.•Managed 3rd party premium program with Wells Fargo Bank and Petco, yielding +$300K in commission revenue. •Developed and maintained first Toys… Show more •Managed corporate intellectual property (patents, trademarks and copyrights) with in-house Legal Department.•Organized and directed annual global merchandising trips to Dallas and Hong Kong for 120 – 250 Toys “R” Us associates. This included buyer/vendor scheduling, sample layouts, vendor negotiations and system support with IT Department.•Managed 3rd party premium program with Wells Fargo Bank and Petco, yielding +$300K in commission revenue. •Developed and maintained first Toys “R” Us vendor information web site providing buyer information, Toys “R” Us corporate purchasing policies, etc.•Coordinated and managed import buying trips in Hong Kong and supported on matters related to rollout of various Merchandise Transformation phases, purchasing issues and sourcing questions. Supported Prod Dev staff on matters such as Quote Sheets, shipping, floor displays, vendor questions, HK buying trip, bi-lingual packaging, and system issues.*Guest speaker at Hong Kong Toy Show advocating for enhanced product development. Show less

Paramus,Nj

Engaged Toys R Us international (Germany, Spain, France, Germany, UK, Japan, Canada and Italy) to support new private brand "Geoffrey's World.Coordinated development of multi-lingual packaging for Toys R Us private label brands.Organized Toys R Us International Spring Buying Show in New Jersey between suppliers and buyers.Provided domestic sales information on private brand sales and consolidated global sales reports.

Paramus, Nj

Coordinated roll-out of Storeroom Inventory System to 230 stores. System utilized POS and trailer manifest information to manage and report on store inventory on sales floor and in storeroom.Developed and directed User's Guide and training video for this system.Provided daily system support and performance reports to management.Worked with IT group on system enhancements..

Paramus, Nj

Company's first Director of Customer Service.Researched, negotiated with and established 3rd party Mystery Shopper program to report on key customer service metrics in all stores.Developed, negotiated with prospective suppiers and rolled out new associate unform program to over 30,000 store associates.Participated in numerous satellite TV broadcasts on customer service to the Toys R Us stores.Designed and rolled out revised Rain Check form.Developed customer complaint… Show more Company's first Director of Customer Service.Researched, negotiated with and established 3rd party Mystery Shopper program to report on key customer service metrics in all stores.Developed, negotiated with prospective suppiers and rolled out new associate unform program to over 30,000 store associates.Participated in numerous satellite TV broadcasts on customer service to the Toys R Us stores.Designed and rolled out revised Rain Check form.Developed customer complaint database for regional use. Show less

Paramus, Nj

Company's 1st Director of Store Projects.Served as lead coordinator for installation of Books R Us department in 150 stores.Created and maintain a lMaster Activity Calendar of all store projects that listed all project details , dates, instructions, etc.Regularly scheduled meetings with all corporate project leaders to ensure timeliness and accuracy of information provided to the stores. Ensured that stores were not "overloaded" with projects at any one time.Changed seasonal… Show more Company's 1st Director of Store Projects.Served as lead coordinator for installation of Books R Us department in 150 stores.Created and maintain a lMaster Activity Calendar of all store projects that listed all project details , dates, instructions, etc.Regularly scheduled meetings with all corporate project leaders to ensure timeliness and accuracy of information provided to the stores. Ensured that stores were not "overloaded" with projects at any one time.Changed seasonal cash register program to provide easier and more-timely conversion for Christmas. This also resulted in lower expense from service provider. Show less

Paramus, Nj

Coordinated design and retrofitting of Stockton, CA distribution center to an automated (conveyors, sortation, scanning) system.Worked with material handling provider in design of Mt. Olive, NJ distribtuion center (over 900,000 square foot automated faciltiy).

Worked with consultants and internal IT staff on design and start-up of the first automated distribution system for Toys R Us in rwarehouse in Rialto, CA, (600,000 square feet).Evaluated and selected radio frequency devices for use throughout the facility.Designed bar-coded carton label, still in use today.Evaluated 3rd party warehouse management system providers.Created and maintained Vendor Shipping Guide and distributed to all suppliers.Evaluated and selected sortation… Show more Worked with consultants and internal IT staff on design and start-up of the first automated distribution system for Toys R Us in rwarehouse in Rialto, CA, (600,000 square feet).Evaluated and selected radio frequency devices for use throughout the facility.Designed bar-coded carton label, still in use today.Evaluated 3rd party warehouse management system providers.Created and maintained Vendor Shipping Guide and distributed to all suppliers.Evaluated and selected sortation scanners and label printers for automated distribution centers.Designed and obtained bar-coded storage racking labels for all automated distribution centers.Provided start-up support for 2nd (Joliet, IL) and 3rd (Youngstown, OH) automated distribution centers.Developed year-end inventory instructions for use by all automated distribution centers.Provided system support and training for all distribution center management and supervisors. Show less

Saddle Brook, Nj

Managed department responsible for over $100 million in non-merchandise purchases to support stores and warehouses.Directed purchase of shopping bags, store fixtures, office supplies, owner-supplied items for new store and new warehouse construction, leased car contracts, etc.

Saddle Brook, Nj

Led corporate initiative ($20 million project) to install register point of sale scanners and price look up in all 313 stores.Worked with IT and Purchasing on developing and maintaining UPC databases in all stores.Evaluated various scanner solutions and made recommendation for final selection. Participated in negotiation of device with IT.Visited other retailers (Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target) to learn from their experiences.Guest speaker at National Retail Federation convention… Show more Led corporate initiative ($20 million project) to install register point of sale scanners and price look up in all 313 stores.Worked with IT and Purchasing on developing and maintaining UPC databases in all stores.Evaluated various scanner solutions and made recommendation for final selection. Participated in negotiation of device with IT.Visited other retailers (Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target) to learn from their experiences.Guest speaker at National Retail Federation convention in Jan 1988.Member of Uniform Code Council sub-committee on general merchandise implemention of UPC standards,Wrote and directed scannning training video for store use.Organized national "Scan 'n Bag" contest between all stores to promote efficient scanning techniques.Implementation of scanning and price lookup resulted in faster check-out, reduced need for cashiers and registers, faster turnover of parking lots for customers and lower shrink caused by cashier error or price label switching. Show less

Saddle Brook, Nj

Led company's effort to open first franchise store in Kuwait.Responsible for supplying entire assortment of products (over 10,000 SKU's) from suppliers all over the world and arranging for shipment to Kuwait.Attended various international toy shows in Italy, Germany, UK and HK to develop new business relationships across for all Toys R Us locations.Traveled to Asia (Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, China and HK) to obtain product from existing and new suppliers.Developed consolidation… Show more Led company's effort to open first franchise store in Kuwait.Responsible for supplying entire assortment of products (over 10,000 SKU's) from suppliers all over the world and arranging for shipment to Kuwait.Attended various international toy shows in Italy, Germany, UK and HK to develop new business relationships across for all Toys R Us locations.Traveled to Asia (Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, China and HK) to obtain product from existing and new suppliers.Developed consolidation and shipping instructions for export of goods to Kuwait.Worked with Kuwait franchise partner to develop merchandise layouts, procedures, competitive shopping surveys of the local market, etc.Traveled to Kuwait 3 times in support of this operation.Purchased all product for new franchised store in Singapore and made numerous trips there in support of its opening.Provided training and purchasing support to wholly-owned start-ups in Canada and UK.Gained extensive knowledge of international toy community. Show less

Saddle Brook, Nj

Purchased over $100 million at cost in children's books, records, tapes, phonographs, batteries, play guns, die cast cars and trucks, children’s cassette players, children’s science goods, telescopes and microscopes, pools, pool supplies, inflatables, Halloween merchandise.Negotiated terms and allowances resulting in margin improvement of 150 basis points.Improved merchandise turnover.Participated in multiple Far East purchasing trips to Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Saddle Brook, Nj

Managed purchase order and master price book departments.Ensured purchase orders were processed and forwarded to suppliers on a timely basis.Maintained accuracy of master price books.Issued price changes to the stores based on direction from Merchandising Dept.

Saddle Brook, Nj

Reported to General Merchandise Manager.Assisted buyers in selecting product for print ads and circulars. Ensured items selected were in stock and within parameters set by General Merchandise Manager.Provided viable alternates in case inventory was not adequate to support ads.Generated reports on item and category sales performance pre and post-ad.Wrote copy to support items in ads.Coordinated Grand Opening and other store events with live personalities and Toys R Us… Show more Reported to General Merchandise Manager.Assisted buyers in selecting product for print ads and circulars. Ensured items selected were in stock and within parameters set by General Merchandise Manager.Provided viable alternates in case inventory was not adequate to support ads.Generated reports on item and category sales performance pre and post-ad.Wrote copy to support items in ads.Coordinated Grand Opening and other store events with live personalities and Toys R Us costumed characters. Traveled to stores across the country in support of these promotional events. Show less

Bensenville, Il

Worked in Chicago region.Responsible for inventory allocation and replenishment for 14 stores.Ensured all stores were in stock for all items in weekly ads and circulars.Participated in interview and selection process of store management trainees.Coordinated training efforts of all store management trainees and obtained feedback on performance from store managers.Worked with senior area management in placement of trainees after completion of their training program.

San Jose, Ca

Worked in Northern California regional office.Responsible for inventory allocation for 6 stores.Ensured all stores were in stock with items shown in weekly ads and circulars.Negotiated with local newspapers to ensure better placement of print ads.Negotiated with local jobbers for extra merchandise late in the selling season. Able to buy at a lower cost than direct from the manufacturer.

Pleasant Hill, Ca

Responsible for all hiring and training staff, including seasonal buildup of over 120 associates. Managed front end (cash reporting, refunds, customer service) as well as all merchandising responsibilities in absence of Merchandise Manager. Also responsible for interior and exterior maintenance of building.

Northern California

Store merchandising, front end sales management, customer service, employee training

Northern California

Trained in all aspects of operating a Toys R Us store. Merchandising, Operations, Hiring ,Training, Loss Prevention, Scheduling, Sales Reporting. Store Maintenance.

Northern California

Unloaded trucks and rail cars direct from manufacturers, customer pickup, bike and other wheel goods assembly, storeroom management, processed customer returns, seasonal store fixture setups, store merchandising