Lauren Sutton Email and Phone Number

Working for a dynamic and successful women’s and men’s accessory company providing an experience to customers through the vision of owner/founder Jerry Kohl.I am the person at Brighton that ensures the best consumer experience imaginable for the brand and its partners.Provides operational support and strategies working alongside IT and eCommerce department to produce new and exciting ways to enhance services to the Brighton consumer. Leader who is innovative and customer focused relationship builder, motivates through establishing and monitoring metrics and implementing changes to improve performance of operations and staff.

Collaborated in creation of non-profit whose mission is to promote education to the public and to provide crisis intervention, referral services, education, and advocate assistance to individuals, and families of those, who are experiencing mental illness issues/disorders while navigating the justice system.

Provided leadership, direction, and training for 23 Account Coordinators, servicing a base of 350+ department and specialty store accounts across an 11-state region (including Hawaii and Guam), which generated annual sales of more than $8 million. Collaborated with Account Executives and National Account Managers to develop and implement strategic plans and training initiatives to drive growth within the region. Negotiated prime merchandise space with retail managers, managed all aspects of inventory and category management, and conducted in-store presentations to drive sales.Attained the highest regional rate growth in shipments and retail sales with the company's largest account (Macy's) for 3 consecutive years (2008-2010).Motivated, directed, and inspired team to achieve 3 consecutive years of double-digit sales growth in the independent store category, a strategic, untapped market, which included FY2010 growth of 27%+. Consistently exceeded performance metrics for team building and retention, for a team that was twice the size of any other in the company.Analyzed sales performance developed sales forecasts, and implemented plans and measures to continually drive efficiencies in spending and steadily improve profit margins.Selected by National Sales Director to create training manuals for the New Channel division, which represented incremental revenue of more than $20 million.

Drove attainment of regional merchandising objectives and goals by coordinating the activities of diverse internal and external stakeholders, including corporate and district managers, regional merchandising managers, department managers, buyers, and sales associates. Traveled extensively throughout the region to coordinate and oversee a variety of projects, including special promotional events, seminars, in-store meetings, and individual sales incentives. Directly supervised as many as 15 merchandisers. Established and built the West and Midwest sales territories from the ground floor.Recruited, built, and trained a team the company's first team of merchandisers, which was consistently recognized for top-tier sales performance and superior service.Maximized overall sell-through across the region by creating employee incentives that were heavily weighted on performance.Significantly improved the productivity and cost effectiveness of Area Service Representatives by analyzing territory logistics and setting up schedules that optimized calling efficiency.

Partnered with General Manager in designing the Area Service Representative (ASR) program, which incorporated strategies for expanding market coverage to effectively manage a larger national territory. In addition, maintained full regional management responsibilities.Developed the guidelines, policies, and procedures for the ASR program, which attained recognition as the industry standard within the organization.Enhanced the company's image and product line as the company's representative and spokesperson.

Served as a liaison between the company, field sales, and customers, including a number of major national accounts. Proactively handled customer inquiries, complaints, and billing questions, and resolved a variety of issues to win and maintain customer loyalty. Worked with personnel in shipping, warehousing, and sales to provide a seamless level of customer service that consistently exceeded expectations.

Served as a liaison between the company, field sales, and customers, including a number of major national accounts. Proactively handled customer inquiries, complaints, and billing questions, and resolved a variety of issues to win and maintain customer loyalty. Worked with personnel in shipping, warehousing, and sales to provide a seamless level of customer service that consistently exceeded expectations.