Merchandising and Direct Marketing professional with over twenty five years experience with retail brands. Accomplished business leader, recognized as a problem solver with a creative vision.Currently looking for a new Staff position or a Consulting role.Please contact me via LinkedIN or at jfriedman8055@gmail.com

JEF CONSULTING LLC 2017 - present• Provides merchandise consulting for apparel and footwear catalogs, and websites• Partners with senior management on organizational structure, merchandise planning, assortment, pricing, presentation and vendor/sourcing selection• Consults on wardrobe selection and styling for local publicationsSample past clients included:Fashion Consultant, Jstyle Magazine (2018)• Hired as Fashion Consultant and Stylist for quarterly fashion magazine serving the Cleveland community• Identified and selected wardrobes from local retailer; evaluated fit on non-professional models, styled models on photo shoot, and advised on final photography selection Re-branding Specialist and Trainer, Universal Screen Arts Inc. Hudson, OH (2017-2018) • Contracted with CEO and Merchandise Manager to re-brand, assort and merchandise Catalog Classics, a women’s apparel and footwear catalog geared to a 55+ audience• Led Buyers in merchandise selection, creation of cohesive spreads, and pagination; introduced new categories, vendors and expanded plus size offerings• Trained merchandising staff on improved process for catalog analysis including product categories and price points• Partnered with Creative Staff to improve model selection, and merchandise styling• Collaborated with VP E-commerce to enhance web experience and e-mail offers

Provided leadership to merchandising teams for the Anthony Richards, Complements, and Essentials catalogs as well as Anthony Richards.com and AmeriMark.com. Managed and directed footwear and intimate apparel merchandising for catalog and web titles at AmeriMark Direct. Participated in Strategic Leadership Team identifying growth strategies and initiatives for the company. Mentored and managed 21 associates including 6 direct reports. Merchandising• Led re-branding effort for Anthony Richards catalog improving appeal to Baby Boomer demographic by modernizing product selection, catalog density and presentation resulting in converting prospects into new customers. • Partnered with Senior Art Director and VP, Creative on re-design including layouts, model selection, photography selection, copy and pricing promotions, and approval on final catalog pages.• • Reduced returns in apparel by 3.2 points and footwear by 2.1 points.• Created comprehensive study of competitive set to fine-tune niche in marketplace.• Initiated Apparel Direct Import Program based on sourcing from China, Bangladesh, India, and Viet Nam with ~50 % of product assortments sourced through sourcing agents and vendors.• Created and executed new catalog, Essentials by Anthony Richards with focus in Sleepwear, Loungewear and Intimate Apparel. Since inception, GDS increased 52% on 20% increased circulation. AOV increased 37.5%.• • Partnered with VP, Inventory on seasonal planning and management of on-time inventory, product turns, backorders, and excess inventory.• Promoted 7+ team members to Buyer, Senior Buyer and Catalog Director roles.Direct Marketing• Collaborated with VP, Marketing and Senior VP, Merchandising creating one catalog from four distinct catalogs and merchandise categories. First test mailing performed at over 100% to plan. • Partnered with Marketing team creating test vehicle for updated Anthony Richards catalog. Results were positive house and prospect files.

Recruited to analyze, evaluate and re-merchandise the apparel business to stimulate gross demand for this value-priced apparel catalog. Responsible for three buyers and staff of 10. • Brought Anthony Richards catalog to profitability by analyzing sales historical performance results, and introducing new product categories resulting in increased GDS by 50% in 4 years. Margin increased by 2.5 points.• Partnered with Creative team reengineering page presentations achieving improved flow on spreads. • Re-aligned spring mailings of Anthony Richards to expand season with April mailings becoming one of largest circulations in the year. • Created page and pricing promotions to move volume and remain competitive in marketplace.• Introduced Anthony Richards’s buyers to vendors in New York apparel marketplace improving exposure to brands and fashion and market trends where none existed.• Developed and implemented quality assurance and quality control department through creation of garment specification and standards resulting in improved fit and overall appearance in alignment with fashion trends.• Built department infrastructure by assessing and re-assigning buying responsibilities and creating reporting structure.

Recruited to evaluate and re-merchandise Spring and Fall 2001 product mix to stimulate sales and drive profitability.• Introduced concept of key items to merchants. Directed buyers to fashion, color and fabric trends.• Collaborated with CEO and SVP, Merchandising on mail format change from direct mail envelopes to catalog format. • Analyzed competitive marketplace for merchandise mix and pricing strategies.• Hired Quality Control consultant to upgrade and improve

Produced gross revenue of $120M for large size sportswear division of America’s largest specialty catalog retailer.• Increased gross demand by 15% over 6 years and decreased return rates by 2.6%.• Achieved 2.5% margin increase.• Traveled to Asia negotiating key programs and uncovering new sourcing and merchandise opportunities.• Devised pricing strategies including “Lowest price of the season” and deal pricing to promote volume.• Designed “stopper “pages for key items resulting in increased unit activity by 67%.