Larry Cunningham Email & Phone Number

Paterson, New Jersey

Direct all Project Management operations for the company. Travel as necessary to work with Asian team.

Fort Myers, Florida Area

Leverage deep command of medium to high-end furniture retail and interior design markets to provide business consulting services to an international clientele.Tailor and deliver retail business strategies and programs to support growth of domestic and international furniture retailers. Work closely with retailers and wholesalers to identify opportunities for business enhancements, initiate new product design projects, and facilitate sourcing of proprietary merchandise.Developed short- and long-term business strategies to drive profitability of major Chinese retailer with more than 40 stores in China.Launched and operate innovative design office in Cebu to create original product sketches, renderings, and CAD drawings.Supported U.S retailers in sourcing merchandise from China and the Philippines.

Pompano Beach, Florida

Oversee US operations of Hospitality furniture business.Responsible for managing and developing the project management team.Liase with team in Asia to assure client's designs were executed as requested.Oversee that all standards were met from initial drawings through sampling process and production to final installation.Communicate with clients to correct any issues during installation.Worked with logistics team to ensure the most efficient method of transportation was used to meet client timing needs and cost efficiency to the company.

Fort Myers, Florida Area

Advanced through positions of increasing responsibility, playing instrumental role in growing retail business from a 6-store, $22M operation into a $270M retail leader with more than 20 showrooms in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.Oversaw merchandising team operations across 15 retail locations, with a scope of responsibility that included product development, sourcing, purchasing, and long- and short-term strategic business planning. Sourced and worked closely with international vendors to implement new merchandising programs; liaised effectively across business development, marketing, sales, and accounting divisions to optimize showroom operations. Handled departmental budget planning and reporting, providing monthly reports to CEO, President, and CFO. Trained, motivated, and managed 16 direct and indirect reports. Spearheaded launch of a global sourcing program of proprietary designs for a private label furniture program yielding $25M in annual sales, with a gross margin 15 points higher than company average; initiative created 1000 new items within a 4-year period.Increased inventory turn for 20 of 25 years of tenure, from a low of 1.42 stock turns up to 3.15 stock turns across all categories of merchandise.Heightened overall company gross margin by 8% over the course of tenure.

Fort Myers, Florida Area

Promoted from initial position as Case Goods Buyer to lead assortment planning, product development, and merchandising for multiple retail locations ranging in size from 25,000 sq. ft. to 75,000 sq, ft.In consecutive roles, directed teams of 6 Case Goods and Accessory buyers in selecting, assembling, and merchandising unique product assortments for 8-15 retail locations. Held bottom-line responsibility for managing "Cutgoods" business in floor coverings, window treatments, and wallpaper; meticulously administered departmental budgets of ~ $10M to $75M. Successfully negotiated favorable contracts with international freight forwarders. Conceptualized and launched company's first R&S direct import program from Europe and Asia.Created numerous reports to support buyers in analyzing product assortments and in improving their lines of business.Introduced effective cost- and inventory-control programs, including an "Open to Buy" system to allocate funds by merchandise category and an "Auto Transfer" program to allocate goods to specific stores.

Fort Myers, Florida Area

Joined Robb & Stucky as Case Goods buyer.Oversaw purchasing of all merchandise for the Case Goods part of the business.Responsible for inventory flow, stock turns and gross margin in all categories of Case Goods.

Miami, Florida

During tenure at Burdines worked at the store level in the men's clothing division. Spent multiple years in the central organization as an Assistant and Associate buyer in various furniture categories such as occasional and accent furniture, casual dining, recliners, and upholstery. A few years were spent as the manager of the furniture, interior design, and floor covering areas at the branch level. Final position was as the toy and book buyer.