Led strategy development for mass cosmetics and nail along with VP of merchandising for company’s first international expansion into Canada. Partnered with and supported omni-channel strategy with e-commerce team. Identified new in-market brand opportunities by proactively assessing and monitoring competitive marketplace to determine possibilities or threats. Negotiated more favorable vendor terms with large volume, key brand partners including margin rates/item costs, marketing support, and exclusivity to deliver on financial plans. Developed and maintained internal and external relationships, strengthening cross-functional workstreams and brand partnership. Communicated concerns/barriers over meeting milestones and kept other workstreams fully informed. Served as key point person with private label team and communicated compliance status and operational timelines while also coordinating assortment building efforts with Canadian merchant team. Volunteered to lead Canadian Conscious Beauty effort working with VP corporate strategies on plan of implementation for launch. • Worked in close communication with brand teams and cross-functional compliance teams to ensure product assortment across 40+ brands compliant with market laws, competitively priced, and compelling to guests in Canadian market. • Negotiated +177bps improvement in vendor terms across large volume, key brand partners including margin rates/item costs, marketing support through development of strong relationships.Landed exclusivity agreements with 23% of brands.

Set departmental sales goals in conjunction with merchandise planner for NA and EU businesses spanning 15 countries + concessions partners. Leveraged vendor relationships in order to land exclusive product, marketing contributions, and key influencer partnerships to promote brand. Utilized cross-functional teams to drive sales through in-store presentation, marketing initiatives, and trend forecasting. Drove sales in omni-channel environment through brick and mortar, concessions, and ecommerce while maintaining integrity of single brand. Mentored and empowered team of five direct reports at varying levels to independently influence business through strong team dynamic. • Drove IMU increase of +70bps over previous year despite heavy tariff increases. Evaluated retails, negotiated product costs, and leveraged product mix to ensure maximum margin productivity. • Chaired sales increase of +7% across three years in omni-channel environment. • Acted as lead buyer partnering with cross-functional teams to launch Claire's shop-in-shop in multiple concessions partners. This included over 3,000 CVS locations, Walmart, Toys R Us, and regional grocery chains.

Drove sales and margin growth in #2 largest volume department spanning 9 product categories. Led omni-channel strategy across B&M and Concession partners. Partnered with Product development team to forecast trends, design and deliver bespoke private label assortment. • Tailored product, marketing, and in-store merchandising across 15 global markets. • Achieved consecutive average store growth for 18 months. • Navigated through Toys R Us concession partnership as new omni-channel opportunity.

Managed assortment, open-to-buy and trend direction for Lifestyle, Seasonal Events and License departments for Icing stores. • Grew lifestyle penetration by +2% in 2013 adding $3M in plus businesses through expansion of tech and license businesses. • Partnered with brand founder to develop, coordinate and implement Breast Cancer Awareness assortment at ICING along with POS fundraising campaign which resulted in 3 years of breast cancer research funding at City of Hope. • Delivered $1.6M in additional margin dollars through innovative means of cost saving and AUR growth.

Responsible for buying Lifestyle/Personal Accessories and Seasonal departments within ICING. • Managed 3 complex departments for North America • Developed Business plan together with Buyer and Planner and presented strategy to senior management. • Collaborated with Planning team to manage sku counts, IMU, markdowns and monthly re-orders • Mentored Assistant Buyer by teaching best practices and key system functions

Contributed to all aspects of the product cycle including strategic business planning, trending, product development, assortment building and purchasing for in-store and e-commerce placement, visual merchandising, and inventory management and analysis. • Successively co-managed three unique departments (Fashion Jewelry, Special Occasion Jewelry & Cosmetics) of increasing complexity.