James Mcdowell Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Baltimore, Md, Us

Lead department for all things reporting and data.Work with business stakeholders to scope, define, and deliver reporting and analysis needs.Help lead company into new era of data driven decision making.

Pennsauken, New Jersey, Us

From a weekend concession in a flea market to a fast-growing major retailer in the off-price apparel sector, Forman Mills has expanded to 8 states and Washington DC.My title of Divisional Planning Manager encompasses several management roles with duties varying depending on needs of the business. The end goal, however, is always constant, profitability and a well educated staff.► Partner with Executive Management to define, align, and implement company vision ensuring fiscal responsibility and profitability at company and location levels ► Collaborate with DMM (Divisional Merchandise Manager) for Men's Main Floor, Young Mens, Designer, Team, Underwear & Hosiery► Evaluate business for trend opportunities/liabilities, shifting OTB dollars to maximize potential► Work with Merchants on crafting a high level vision for major product groups that are efficient and executable► Interface with DMM and Merchants on store level sales trends and inventories► Train Buyer and Assistant Buyers on Key Performance Indicators and relational dependencies► Train Assistant Buying staff on Allocation methodologies► Analyze and enhance company processes for merchandise planning, allocation, and standardized reportingIf you are interested in learning more about my involvement in these areas, please contact me for a detailed list of accomplishments.

Burlington, Nj, Us

Burlington Coat Factory is a leading off-price apparel and home product retailer. They operate over 543 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico.I was brought on in 2011 as a Merchandising & Retail Planner and in October of 2012 was elevated to the position of Senior Planner. ► Partnered with Divisional Manager in directing +$150 million business in Young Men's, Designer, Urban, Electronic & Gift-able Accessories (as Senior Planner)► Worked with merchant staff on daily management of Men's main floor knits, wovens, sweaters, bottoms, and team apparel (as Merchandising & Retail Planner) with full financial OTB responsibility► Led preseason and in-season financial planning process.► Mentored Financial Planners and Inventory Analyst in merchandise planning and inventory management philosophies/processes.► Executed continual evaluation for profitability► Drove vendor level evaluation and maximization efforts.If you are interested in learning more about my involvement in these areas, please contact me for a detailed list of accomplishments.

Rita's Water Ice started on a front porch in Philadelphia and is now one of today's freshest and fastest growing franchise concepts with opportunities across the country and around the world.

A consultancy specializing and advising in retail business processes.Consulting services included but were not limited to:► Demand planning/forecasting► Inventory Control► Big Box retailer servicing► Excel spreadsheet consulting and VBA script► Business costs reductionIf you are interested in learning more about my involvement in these areas, please contact me for a detailed list of accomplishments.

Plano, Texas, Us

J. C. Penney Company, one of the nation’s largest apparel and home furnishing retailers, is dedicated to fitting the diversity of America with unparalleled style, quality and value. Across approximately 1,100 stores and at jcpenney.com, customers will discover a broad assortment of national, private and exclusive brands. In 2003 I relocated to Texas to work in the corporate offices of this company. During this time I honed my skills in the planning & allocation arena of the retail industry. ► Profit maximization► Inventory productivity, flow, control► Sales growth, forecasting► Marketing analysis, effectiveness► Brand Strategy► Product Markdown minimization► Product assortment mix productivity► Store planning, clustering►Daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal reporting managementIf you are interested in learning more about my involvement in these areas, please contact me for a detailed list of accomplishments.

Egg Harbor Township, Nj, Us

Spencer's operates over 600 stores throughout the United States, Canada and online and is one of the longest running shows in the mall. Strong operating disciplines combined with their unique merchandising formula underpins their continued growth. As the Merchandise Planning Manager I specialized in several different areas. I led the management team in defining and creating Merchandise Planning department structure. I was also charged with evaluating the then current processes within Merchandise Planning, Assortment Planning, Space Planning, Merchandising, and Product Allocation departments and recommending changes/enhancements to executive management. ► Worked with departmental management to integrate changes to structure and processes► Lead team to select and implement fully integrated Merchandise Planning system► Worked closely with Merchant staff to strengthen communication and tie all activities back to financial plan► Managed financial Open to Buy ($275 million annual volume)► Constant vendor interaction helping lead product evaluation and price negotiations► Piloted location planning effort, training staff on philosophies and general practicesIf you are interested in learning more about my involvement in these areas, please contact me for a detailed list of accomplishments.

Burlington, Nj, Us

► Manage Staff of 2 Financial Planners, 2 Assistant Planners, and 12 Allocators► Training and development of Planners, Assistant Planners and Allocators► Work with GMM, DMM(s) on inventory, sales, receipts, markdowns, turn, and gross margin. ($500 million annual volume)► Create and maintain financial plans at department/classification level with Planners for inventory, sales, receipts, markdowns, turn, and gross margin► Regular vendor interaction helping lead product evaluation and price negotiations.► Manage location planning and trending at the classification level for basis of bottoms-up planning► Manage ecommerce analytics for Men’s merchandise► Identification of corporate sales and margin opportunities► Highlight, resolve and report corporate sales and inventory Development of successful unit planning process for Allocation systemIf you are interested in learning more about my involvement in these areas, please contact me for a detailed list of accomplishments.

► Financial planning of merchandise Open to Buy ($55 million Gross sales)► Plan store merchandising and unit flow► Supervise two Distributors► Manage location planning and trending at the classification level for basis of bottoms-up planning► Oversee all sportswear replenishment items and weekly purchases ($6.9 million Gross sales)► Heavy vendor contact, securing planned turns, stock levels, and process improvements► Continual negotiations with vendors to minimize cost and maximize inventory productivity► Monitor vendor stock levels weekly to protect planned receiptsIf you are interested in learning more about my involvement in these areas, please contact me for a detailed list of accomplishments.

Bs, Economics

Undergrad Towards Economics