Kathy Thiessen Email & Phone Number

Arlington Heights, IL, US

Elk Grove Village, Illinois, United States

• Forecast, manage and maintain catalog inventory for over 1500 items/2500 SKU’s. Analyze multiple reports to assess the effectiveness of inventory investments, and evaluate in-stock rate and service issues.
• Consistently writes PO’s for new and repeat items for in season and future season catalogs.
• Partners with cross functional teams to ensure weekly catalog delivery and success.
• Demonstrates strong relationships with 180 vendor base, both domestic and import.

• Developed seasonal plans for both Sears and Kmart on all items in the managed assortment. Collaborated with the Buyers to ensure buys fit within receipt and OTB plans. Partnered with SIA to ensure the assortments are.
• Partnered with buying team to develop strategic merchandise assortment plans in the costing model tool.
• Collaborated and made recommendations through analysis on category and item levels.
• Developed SKU affordability buying guidelines of breadth and depth by volume groups.
• Consistently and efficiently managed multiple projects and dynamic priorities in a fast-paced environment both independently and collaboratively.

Hoffman Estates

• Planned, managed and maintained replenishment for specified business. Analyzed sales and stock levels to reflect sales trend, presentation standards and turnover. Leader to analysts and provided system training within.
• Training of new and experienced Analysts on daily responsibilities, new initiatives and overall strategies to develop consistency and efficiency within the department.
• Forecasted and reacted to additional inventory needs based on seasonal sales trends.
• Communicated basic replenished needs to vendors while aligning on availability of product for flow while maintaining financial obligations to the overall department budget.
• Collaborated with logistic teams to ensure the flow of product thru the Supply Chain process.
• Represented and partnered with management on developing best practices for department.

Hoffman Estates

• Successfully allocated product to stores, maintained in-stock levels, and managed the flow of product based on sales trend, buyer direction and analysis.
• Developed an ordering tool to effectively monitor orders and allocations.
• Identified issues and opportunities in marketing, sales, and inventory to vendors, buyers and manager to determine growth strategy for total business down to the program level.
• Successfully tracked receipt flow by managing inventory levels from the distribution center to stores.
• Managed vendor purchase orders to ensure timely delivery.

• Effectively created profitable assortments and marketing strategies thru pricing, negotiations and procurement.
• Developed assortments by market clusters with planning team and vendors based on historical trends.
• Negotiated margin building opportunities with vendors.
• Partnered with design and sourcing teams to achieve the best cost and product for private label brand.

• Managed daily department operations, associate development, customer service and executive training.
• Managed employees to effectively meet sales goals and maintain presentation levels of department.