Kristen Barnes Email and Phone Number

• Developed assortment plans by identifying and reacting to trends and consumer buying patterns• Responsible for the design and product development of all apparel & non-apparel categories while maintaining brand integrity and differentiating us from the competition• Communicated seasonal design themes, trends, colors stories, and selling opportunities to cross functional team members• Developed and maintained relationships with domestic and overseas vendors to insure delivery and the execution of product• Negotiated price and terms of purchases to achieve financial goals with partnering vendors• Coached and mentored associates in order to provide an environment for career development• Partnered with the planning team to manage costing, margins and markdown strategies for assigned categories • Worked closely with the technical team to maintain the brands fit standards• Shopped retail markets to identify assortment and incoming trend opportunities based on competitive landscape and customer segmentation

• Responsible for the development of Product Line strategic & assortment plans to meet marketing, merchandising, financial, and corporate growth objectives.• Responsible for managing the brand equity for all product categories, including product conceptualization, development, fabrication, sourcing, costing, pricing strategies, selection, and merchandising.• Lead and supported OMNI channel strategies and projects, such as offering retail assortment for online ordering• Worked closely with creative and marketing teams to ensure clear strategies and direction for the season• Provided collaborative guidance, direction and support to the planning team in development of financial merchandise and key item plans• Achieved a 25% increase in productivity and 15% in web penetration within a 12 month period • Increased IMU by 2 basis points within a 12 month period

• Responsible for designing and merchandising missy and junior apparel for major retail markets • Coordinated and was in charge of order production establishing and managing order lead time with factories in mainland China to meet order deadlines• Negotiated prices and commercial arrangements with fabric vendors to insure sustainable high quality material to optimize costs• Interfaced with group sales team to analyze trends and buyer orders • Managed all trend, color and fabric research and prepared and delivered weekly presentations to management/sales• Increased sales volume by 50% and initial margin by 15% over 4 years

• Responsible for all sourcing and development of all ready apparel categories• Conducted intensive product development analysis, including trend, color and fabric research• Presented analysis findings and recommendations at merchandise meetings• Built, fostered and maintained relationships with domestic vendors• Negotiated prices with all vendors to optimize costs • Functionally interfaced with Inventory Planning, Quality Assurance, Creative and Merchandising departments• Increased web penetration by 10% within a 12 month period• Reduced “Return Rate” across all item categories by 2% from the previous year• Reduced “Cancel Rate” by 1 % over previous year

• Responsible for achieving sales and profit objectives for all apparel and footwear catalog business under the direction of the Merchandising Director• Participated in merchandise selection, buyer presentation and brand building in the apparel and non-apparel categories• Oversaw all vendor communication and price negotiation• Cross-functionally worked directly with Inventory Management on initial seasonal planning• Partnered with Quality Control/Quality Assurance to review high return rates and taking necessary actions to lower return rates • Assisted Creative Department to insure accuracy of copy, color, layout and photography, coordination, execution and successful delivery of all photo samples to both local and location photo shoots