Lauren Stark Email & Phone Number

Cleveland, Oh, Us

United States

Consultant services: Amazon Seller Central including Marketing Marketplaces on boarding - Target/Walmart/Macys/Nordstrom/MirkalInventory managementMerchandise planningProduct development

Glenwillow, Ohio

•Sales and operations business leader with accountability for sales and margin performance on Global Amazon Seller Central, Target MP, Walmart MP, Wayfair, Bed Bath and Beyond and other MP; include company website mdesignhomedecor.com. Relentless improver of the sales and margin performance of the company• Regularly reassess the design, development and management of the sales and operations organization and reorganize as needed to optimize the resources in the most efficient and effective way possible and be a world-class, industry leading organization• Craft expanded strategy for new business opportunities for mDesign by managing the execution of the sales transformation in the immediate term• Design & implement sales operations and processes to achieve financial goals• Lead Project Management Organization to create effective measurement tools to gauge the efficiency and effectiveness of internal and external processes and continually improve them to increase effectiveness every year• Support the Company’s technology transformation by leading and overseeing the successful implementation and change management within the company• Build, cultivate and lead high performing, engaged, and winning mDesign organization.

Glenwillow, Ohio

• Serve as a key leader of the Executive Team to drive and deliver sustainable, profitable growth for the Digital Native Brand-mDesign on Global ecommerce Platforms and Marketplaces.• Financial and thought partner to Leadership in creating strategic plans for Product, Merchandising, Marketing and ecommerce platform growth.• Develop, execute, and communicate financial plans, merchandise plans, and strategies to support the merchandising, marketing and financial objectives.• Define, direct, and manage promotional strategies including PPC, Retargeting, Google, social Media Marketing across all platforms• Responsible for development of key performance indicators, communication of financial results, forecasts and action plans to the business.• Build, cultivate and lead high performing, engaged, and winning mDesign organization.

Solon, Ohio, United States

• Oversee the development of analysis, and revision of category plans for sales, margin realization, and inventory.• Oversee and approve plans related to merchandise selection, distribution and exit of businesses.• Implement process redesign, rigor and discipline around planning, inventory buying, inventory management and tracking, and product allocations.• Build, cultivate and lead high performing, and engaged Product and Design mDesign Team.• Drive financial results that maximize revenue, gross margin, inventory and ecommerce goals and minimize excess inventory.

Stow, Ohio (Home Office) Rock Hill, South Carolina (Corporate Office)

• Manage sales of the company’s products and services ensuring consistent, profitable growth in sales revenues through positive planning and strategic product proposals. • Identify objectives, strategies and action plans to improve short and long-term sales and earnings. • Responsible for making sales calls on a designated Customers and working closely with order entry, claims, schematics, and retail sales associates to ensure all Customer standards are met. • Ensure incremental sales through distribution of new products and maintenance of existing skus. • Demonstrate sales accomplishments and areas of opportunity by coordinating in sales presentations. • Achieve incremental growth by pursuing volume-producing merchandising strategies.

Hudson, Ohio

Develop and led the visual merchandising strategy for 850 stores and new prototype stores. Led and execute seasonal, monthly and weekly store planograms and presentations in close collaboration with Merchandising, Inventory Management and Store Operations teams. Led the merchandise presentation and signage strategies that deliver a customer experience that aligns with our Brand. Developed innovative in store presentations and signing that support key business objectives and resonates with our target customers. Cultivated positive and productive cross functional relationships with Store Operations, Store Planning, Store Development, Merchandising and Marketing teams. Developed and monitored the store labor isolated to merchandise sets. Developed and managed an annual In-Store Experience financial and capital expenditure budget of $7M.

Hudson, Ohio, United States

Directed Merchandise Planning & Forecasting, Replenishment, Inventory Optimization functions, Space Planning and Merchandise Information and System Support. Led 4 direct reports and a staff of 110. Managed $1+B purchasing budget and a multi-million dollar departmental budget. Facilitated quarterly evaluation of markdown reserve requirements. Directed the inventory investment for new and remodeled stores. Managed open to buy and in season forecasting. Guided the optimal allocation of merchandise through replenishment and fashion allocation. Coached team on best-practices, reporting, forecast accuracy and inventory productivity. Ensured distribution center (DC) service level and in stock performance. Led support functions for merchandising, replenishment, Joann.com, merchandise planning and analysis. Sponsored and supported key initiatives that span cross-functional teams, including merchandising, product development, store operations, IT and store planning.

Hudson, Ohio

Led the development of Merchandise Sales, Margin, Inventory, assortment plans and merchandise presentations for the Sewing and Seasonal Divisions. Partnered with Leadership in managing various product lines to maximize company profitability. Executed strategies in forecasting and replenishment to achieve company goals for in-stocks and DC service levels. Accountable for all inventory controls of DC in bound/out bound flows and allocation of receipts to 820 stores. Developed and led a team of 40 space planners, financial planners, replenishment analysts and 5 Managers to ensure overall merchandise strategies and financial plans were executed properly and met financial goals.

Hudson, Ohio

Accountable for all financial performance indicators, category strategies and marketing plans forHome accents, storage, sewing machines, and lighting. Responsible to achieve all financial targets. Accountable for developing and executing new programs in juvenile storage, modular furniture and home accents. Partnering with .com team members to increase .com business by 50% over 2 years. Implemented and executed buy plan timelines for all fashion and basic purchases. Led and motivated 10 team members to embrace new strategies and execute new programs that ensure the achievement of all financial goals.

Hudson, Ohio

Managed the development of Merchandise Sales, Margin, Inventory and assortment plans for the Home Décor and Seasonal Division. Partnered with CMO Leadership in managing various product lines to maximize company profitability. Executed various strategies and initiatives in forecasting and replenishment to achieve company goals for in-stocks and DC service levels. Accountable for all inventory control of DC in bound/out bound flows and allocation of receipts to 820 stores. Developed and lead a team of 21 planners and analysts to ensure overall merchandise strategies and plans were executed properly and met financial goals.

Hudson, Ohio

Accountable for all financial performance indicators, category strategies and marketing plans for amultiple merchandise shops including Home Décor Fabrics, Home Accents, Candles, Storage, and Sewing Machines. Achieved and exceeded all financial targets and goals and led my team to achieve +5%-+20% of our target key performance indicators of sales, GM and Turn yearly. Partnered with international logistics and legal to develop and implement STR testing for all candles and holders bought for JoAnn Stores, in turn limiting the liability claims against the company by 50%. Responsible for extensive product development and global cost negotiations. Implemented buy plan timelines for all purchases with a working knowledge of the import structure and global vendor base.

Tower City Center

Responsible for supervising and maintaining the merchandising and selling functions of the store in order to ensure sales objectives and presentation standards were met.