John Laforest Email and Phone Number

Mills Supply Company Inc. Mills Fleet Farm Stores Managed and developed solid business plans with strategic promotional ad vehicles. Responsible for everyday and seasonal products with extensive overseas travel to negotiate domestic and import purchasing. Forecasting and replenishment management of all Toys, Publication and Printed Material, Sunglasses, As Seen On TV Products, Home Goods, and Health/Beauty Care Products for 34 large Super Centers stores with average square footage of… Show more Mills Supply Company Inc. Mills Fleet Farm Stores Managed and developed solid business plans with strategic promotional ad vehicles. Responsible for everyday and seasonal products with extensive overseas travel to negotiate domestic and import purchasing. Forecasting and replenishment management of all Toys, Publication and Printed Material, Sunglasses, As Seen On TV Products, Home Goods, and Health/Beauty Care Products for 34 large Super Centers stores with average square footage of 250K and over 120M annual revenues. Maintained a vendor selection base of over 300 suppliers.• First year completely evaluated all programs and vendor terms with a successful ending that returned over 1.9 million dollars in gross profits.• Planning catalog themes, weekly ad themes and back cover products with strategic retail pricing, promotions and multi unit pricing to support company growth and customer satisfaction.• The introduction of a new category, “As Seen On TV” resulted in over 1.6 million dollars at retail and a 41% GMROI. • Over the last five years I have managed my categories to have increases every year and in one category have increased sales double digits for four years in a row (Sunglasses). Show less

Directing a team of personnel to be true entrepreneurs for one of the largest retailers was very rewarding. My team included an Associate Buyer, Assistant Buyer, Inventory Manager and Inventory Analyst. We as a team supported the 1400 Kmart retail stores departments. Responsibilities were to implement products with high standards and a solid business plan that would produce high profits with little clearance. These categories were Timepieces, Sunglasses and Fashion Jewelry with seasonal… Show more Directing a team of personnel to be true entrepreneurs for one of the largest retailers was very rewarding. My team included an Associate Buyer, Assistant Buyer, Inventory Manager and Inventory Analyst. We as a team supported the 1400 Kmart retail stores departments. Responsibilities were to implement products with high standards and a solid business plan that would produce high profits with little clearance. These categories were Timepieces, Sunglasses and Fashion Jewelry with seasonal goods (120 Million Dollar in revenue).• Effectively negotiated vendor agreements that produced 4% more gross profits to the bottom line.• Analyzed the advertising gross margin results then by cutting back during non-peak seasons saved the timepiece department over 1 million dollars in gross margin dollars.• Successfully negotiated a 3.1 million dollar gross margin guarantee to take over an end cap of competitor’s watches. This end cap top GM$ was 1.2 Million. The vendor buy back was 1.1 million dollars. Bottom line profit increase was 1.9 million dollars per year for the next 3 years.• Performed an ALR Bid (Accelerated Line Review) on sunglasses and awarded the business to one vendor. Resulting in a 1.5 million dollar improvement to GMROI each year over the next four years. Benefits from the negotiations included all new fixtures, complete store service three times a week, annual non-productive inventory return. Additional program allowance included 3% advertising, 3% defective, 60 day cash terms with weekly pre-paid direct to store replenishment orders. Vendor managed inventory within Sears Holding Corporation guidelines. Show less

Developed and implemented marketing objectives and category strategy plans that involved travel over to China several times a year. Directed strategic business plans, Promotional Advertising Vehicles, Forecasting, Inventory control and key strategies for assortment needs with superior returns on investments to support company growth. Categories were Toys, Sporting Goods, Publications and Printed Material, Home Goods, Electronics and Health Care products, • Annually created five toy ads… Show more Developed and implemented marketing objectives and category strategy plans that involved travel over to China several times a year. Directed strategic business plans, Promotional Advertising Vehicles, Forecasting, Inventory control and key strategies for assortment needs with superior returns on investments to support company growth. Categories were Toys, Sporting Goods, Publications and Printed Material, Home Goods, Electronics and Health Care products, • Annually created five toy ads for peak seasons with two special toy import catalogs generating over three million dollars in sales.• Increased profit margins by 5% via re-negotiations of cash terms, advertising dollars, product cost, importing more products from overseas, pick up allowances and vendor sponsored educational workshops.• Created import quote sheet system which could be sent back and forth via e-mail increasing productivity and lower printing cost. Show less

Marketing and Sr. Buyer with solid expertise in a multi-channel Retail environment. Leadership experience in Retail Operations, Marketing and Merchandising Operations provides basis for analytical approach to profitable retail sites. Category responsibility included domestic and imported purchasing for Toys, Publication and Printed Materials, Custom specialty gifts, Greeting cards, Party Accessories, Home School and Office Supplies and Arts/Crafts for Mr. Bulkey Treats and Gifts. Directed a… Show more Marketing and Sr. Buyer with solid expertise in a multi-channel Retail environment. Leadership experience in Retail Operations, Marketing and Merchandising Operations provides basis for analytical approach to profitable retail sites. Category responsibility included domestic and imported purchasing for Toys, Publication and Printed Materials, Custom specialty gifts, Greeting cards, Party Accessories, Home School and Office Supplies and Arts/Crafts for Mr. Bulkey Treats and Gifts. Directed a team of professional personnel that supported over 250 retail outlets in malls across the United States.• Generated double-digit sales increase through new programs, new product and presentation of product.• Created a vendor shipping policy, which helped bottom line profit. Increased warehouse productivity and the flow of merchandise to our stores.• Exceeded margin requirement by more than 16% through cost reductions, improved promotion funding and rebate programs. Show less

Buyer 1996-1998Store Manager 1993-1996Managed profitable assigned categories such as Toys, Art/Crafts Publications and Printed Materials, Pet Supplies, Snacks/Candy Home Goods, Shoe Care, Household Electric, Basic Wiring Products, Home School and Office Supplies. Establish and monitor performance standards of the assigned categories and made adjustments to the range and space to maximize revenues. Introduced new and… Show more Buyer 1996-1998Store Manager 1993-1996Managed profitable assigned categories such as Toys, Art/Crafts Publications and Printed Materials, Pet Supplies, Snacks/Candy Home Goods, Shoe Care, Household Electric, Basic Wiring Products, Home School and Office Supplies. Establish and monitor performance standards of the assigned categories and made adjustments to the range and space to maximize revenues. Introduced new and innovating ideas and concepts to identify new product initiatives that recognize the consumer’s needs. • Successfully negotiated a cash register end cap with Hershey Chocolates for 4% display placement.• Implemented a 10% floor slotting allowance for all floor displays and free fill for all 228 stores on all new items placed in the candy flex section.• Managed a “top 10” Arbor Drugs store with sales in excess of $5 million annually. Responsible for the hiring, training, scheduling and motivation of over 40 employees. Other duties include ordering via telxon, communicating with different vendors and overseeing entire store operations, including the pharmacy and one hour photo lab (trained to operate and develop photos). Show less