Managed two Merchandise Associates while providing reporting and analytical support for Drug, Consumables and Pet categories.  Analyzed syndicated and internal data sources to identify trends and opportunities for category growth; assessed competitive environment and threats; executed category reviews annually; generated insights & made recommendations to achieve sales goals. Utilized promotional effectiveness tool for suppliers and retailer to develop insights and recommendations as it related to advertising tactics; promotional methods, frequency, price points, and competitive influences.  Evaluated brand performance in Consumables categories; as a result seven brands were eliminated and in turn increased overall category and private brand sales dollar and direct margin growth. Created employee developmental plans and evaluated performance; interviewed and onboarded new associates.  Prepared and delivered weekly scorecards to 7 key supplier partners with $24M annualized sales. Created and published monthly contest results to 197 store managers, 23 market directors, and 4 regional VPs to help build private brand awareness at retail. Served as volunteer member of Great Places to Work Committee and Communications Committee.

Created and maintained floor plans for Drug, Baby, Garden, and Gas Station in 190 stores. Collaborated with visual merchandising and properties to develop proposals of floor plans incorporating analytics, merchandising initiatives, and product adjacencies to present to senior management for over 100 department remodels and 21 new stores.  Executed with accuracy key tasks associated with routine and seasonal layout design and distribution for over 1000 floor plans. Created and implemented training curriculum for 2 new Floor Plan Specialists.

Supported two Drug buying desks and 15 categories with planogram merchandising, analytics and product maintenance. Analyzed and interpreted internal/external data to make recommendations on product assortment, shelf placement and competitive trends.  Identified and collaborated with Daymon business managers and customer buyer to source and develop a specialty bath private brand program. Managed the daily coordination of new private brand product activities including item maintenance, quality assurance, label development, and shelf placement.  Communicated with stores and suppliers to provide information and resolve issues surrounding products and planograms.

Responsible for packaging design and development of new product designs as well as packaging line extensions for over 15 buying desks in Grocery and Consumables.  Maintained timely execution and accuracy of over 100 projects at any given time and the database that supports the process. Partnered regularly with customer’s merchandising and creative team about package design standards, legal department regarding trademark registrations and vendor contracts, and with quality assurance on packaging issues and consumer complaints, ingredient statements and recipe testing.