Manage and oversee three brands under the Plano Synergy umbrella. Responsible for brand P&L’s and collaborated with sales in creating annual budgets for each brand. Drove the creation and implementation of strategic planning for each brand. Worked actively with allocation and forecasting teams as well as internal and external sales to execute strategic goals on sales and inventory management to enhance turns. Responsible for the research and development of new products and worked with sourcing to fully execute. Collaborated with marketing and creative teams on advertising execution and budgets to ensure our marketing and packaging accurately targeted retail and consumer trends.

Oversee and direct the buying team, managing 500+ vendors and product assortment of 15,500+ inventoried items. This experience has provided unique insight on product performance across all sales channels within hunting categories. Duties included setting and delivering on departmental goals pertaining to inventory turns, fill rate and open to buy. Responsible for product selection, negotiating annual and promotional discounts as well as creating and implementing spiffs for internal sales team. Worked closely with vendors and sales reps to establish and strengthen relationships as well as create sales opportunities for brands previously closed to distribution. Have served as a consultant for many vendors, providing direction and insight as they work to develop their brand, products and future strategies. Worked with multiple internal departments to enhance communication and relationships, resulting in improvements in efficiency and morale. Actively worked to grow my staff’s knowledge, experience and critical thinking capabilities. Served on key positions for company strategic planning. Worked with sales and key customers to identify and expand upon sales and channel opportunities as well as create, analyze and import forecasts. Experienced in the challenges and intricacies of MAP and worked with vendors to achieve MAP compliance. Responsible for coordinating all vendor aspects of annual distributor show featuring 200+ vendors and 300+ buyers in attendance.

Assisted department manager in leading department in daily operations as well as carrying out strategic objectives and initiatives. Worked with vendors to negotiate costing, programs and special buy opportunities. Worked with team to reduce and maintain our annual inactive inventory on hand to new company lows.

Supervisory experience, merchandising, buying, scheduling, training, hiring, reviewing and event planning for the archery department of a large independent retailer. Responsible for all aspects of running a high volume sales department as well many shared management tasks such as: opening/closing, creation of annual sales flyers, and running leagues. Gained significant technical skills in the area of archery and was recognized as one of the top technicians in the area.