Lara Fjelstad Email & Phone Number

Remote

Redmond, Washington

Utilize excellent communication skills while negotiating costs as well as focus on optimizing supply chain efficiency, resulting in increased company’s profitability. Plan and carry out market research to identify potential opportunity and conduct competitor analysis to determine strengths and weaknesses of the competitors. Maintain proper checks and balances to guarantee fulfilment of production and delivery requirements. Provide active, functional support with product management for product launches. Complete all assigned tasks in an efficient and professional manner such as PO management and creation, product evaluation testing, and sourcing, vetting, and onboarding new core vendors. Key Contributions:Played a key role in significantly increasing company revenue from 5MM to 10MM in the last year.- Enhanced deliveries, quality, and over all supply chain performance by writing and implementing the company's first vendor manual, resulting in eliminating lost sales due to delayed shipments.- Researched, identified, and selected four new vendors that optimized production output with lower costs, resulting in increased production by 30% and reduced cost 20% to 50%.- Took appropriate initiatives to determine and resolve discrepancies or delays with vendors and implemented corrective action plans to achieve desired objectives.

Woodinville, Wa

Oversaw and managed all activities of the project, including development of timelines from inception to delivery for product merchandising and marketing. Identified, selected, and recommended vendors by closely analyzing and assessing cost, delivery, and terms. Collaborated and functioned closely with overseas factories to guarantee achievements of all milestones and project objectives within budget.

Seattle, Washington

Rendered expert services as an assistant buyer; organized and managed various events to drive demand as well as creating and retaining an excellent shopping experience for customer. Focused on increasing vendors business through problem solving and analytic reporting. Ensured accuracy and completeness by reconciling vendor correspondence and processed adjustments in the system.Key Contributions:- Built an effective communication network with vendors that aided in following up on quality issues and discussing how to prepare for improved customer experience.- Guaranteed delivery of best prices to the customer by optimizing shopping online retails.- Significantly increased margin and sell through by negotiating and finalizing costing and discounts

Greater Seattle Area

Formulated plans and structured processes to confirm effective management of timelines for all orders with consistent production performance monitoring. Developed and improved account and brand expertise through engaging in client research. Utilized key expertise and industry knowledge while creating commercial invoices, packing lists, HTS code, and IFI forms for international shipping.Key Contributions:- Served as an initial point of contact for sales, vendors, and buyers as well as contributed efforts to determine and resolve problems between customers and product delivery issues.- Liaised with logistics partners to plan LCL and FCL shipments for incoming landed product, resulting in seamless execution of functions.- Implemented and set up new software system (SoftShoe) to catalogue skus and place production PO’s

Seattle, Washington

Coordinated and worked closely with vendors to drive demand and execute an average of 60 events per month. Utilized excellent communication skills while negotiating and finalizing costing and discounts. Maintained accuracy while processing necessary adjustments in the system to avoid any discrepancies.Key Contributions:- Successfully created and reviewed sales reports to evaluate and assess vendor’s sales statistics and forecasting.- Rendered expertise as a member of the training task force and member of the SME tech task force.- Planned and conducted training sessions for new assistant buyer and merchandising assistants to develop better understanding related to operations.

• Work with warehouse and retail store to research and resolve sales order and stock discrepancies • Daily allocation of goods to ECOM, Retail Store and wholesale customers • Process and generate returns for customers and wholesale retailers · Create and received transfers from the DC to the Retail store • Create and update all processes and guidelines for the warehouse and Sales Support department • Manage delays and ship status reporting. • Research and review all customer chargebacks • Review monthly credit memos and check for accuracy.

• Process, input & track all new orders and reorders • Continuous communication with factories and customers regarding order details, updates, customer guidelines/procedures, special pattern details, samples, letter of credits and shipping information.• Work with Pricing/sourcing for new pattern placement detail & price information for status of commitment.• Work with Product Development personnel for new pattern order detail information. • Request, track & distribute all customer confirmation samples, ad and test samples.

• Point Person for Pricing, Sales, PD, Pre-Production and factory service reps • Track production progress and ensure timely delivery. • Submit pricing requests, gather placement information for sales• Generate production orders for 1st cost • Review/approve confirmation samples and QA cartons • Prepare, maintain and distribute line and price sheets • Communicate with key customers on special order requirements• Sales Support for house accounts

• Respond to all customer inquiries, regarding Eproduct services, mis-donations and Refunds. • Effectively responding to escalated customer issues• Training of new employees• Answer high volume of calls from customers, corporate partners and field service staff• Effectively troubleshoot problems with Coinstar units

Assisted in research of seasonal trends, themes, colors, raw materials, styling and trims.Participated in Design conversations regarding styling, fabric, color, patternwork, trims, and fit.Assist in preparations for Color & Concept, Line Presentation, and other presentation meetings.Assisted Designer in developing technical sketches and proto spec packagesMaintained and coordinated accuracy of information in WebPDM Spec Packages

Responsible for fabric and pre-line development and completion of lineCompleted sample orders and communicated overseas for quality control and fitAssisted with Line lists and visual merchandisingWorked with merchandising on various special projects

Worked on various customer service projects for a variety of clients while studying for associates degree.

Supported 3 managers and their 70 direct/indirect reportsHandling of confidential materialsAssisted with presentations, Excel graphs, expense reports and purchase requests.Arranged travel, managed calendars and coordinated meetingsResponsible for new hire set up and organizational charts