Leah Russell Email and Phone Number

• Collaborative partner between vendor and retailer with a sharp focus on driving sales for a major, national company• Provide constructive feedback on the effectiveness of client strategies, selling programs, and initiatives• Execute against mutual business goals by identifying opportunities, mapping effective strategies, and implementing joint business tactics utilizing selling techniques, marketing research, and new business development• Presenting fresh ideas and plans by way of constant study of product, vendor, category, and market• Maximizing vendor potential using sales data, up-to-date market trends, industry information, and retailers’ goals• Support client through contract, pricing, marketing tactics, sales expectations and program maintenance • Communicate clients' priorities to Retail Sales Organization to deliver in-store presence and business objectives through the use of presentations, negotiations, sales analytics and logistics• Coordinate clients' market visits and key account calls• Provide feedback on how to build organizational capacity and improve our business efficiencies based on syndicated data research• Manage a diverse portfolio of vendors with unique capabilities, complexities and goals• Analyze promotional opportunities and marketing plans and guide the execution for both in-store and on-line sales• Provide a 'Best in Class' strategy that aligns with vendor's and retailer's priorities

Was responsible for planning, developing and executing ‘bring-to-market’ strategies by working closely with cross-functional team members and maintaining a strong vendor base. •Managed project expectations, timing and budget from kickoff to in-store delivery by working closely with Senior Leadership, Legal, Marketing, In Store Visual, Packaging, Brand, Product Development, QA and Merchandising teams to hit key milestones and keep projects on target. •Presented financial roll up presentations to all stakeholders. •Understood product positioning and marketing strategies to RFQ, negotiate cost and developed long-term vendor partner business relationship. •Identified cost savings opportunities by analyzing business growth, product and shipping efficiencies. •Worked with vendors and Quality team to ensure development of product that supported a trusted brand. •Managed, cultivated and understood vendor capabilities; offered guidance and set expectations to ensure a stable vendor base that offers fair market costs structures. •Experience with global and domestic sourcing in hard-lines, consumables and packaging.

Was Responsible for setting up initial product and vendor information at the onset of Owned Brand program launches. •Worked cross-functionally, with internal and external teams, to understand program details in order to correctly assign and set up SKU information, shipping details, product information, import classification coding and cost validation.

Was responsible for product vendor onboarding and Contract Management. Supported merchandising and vendor negotiation to ensure that terms and conditions were consistently applied across the merchandise supply chain. •Created vendor contracts and ensured master data standards meet business objectives. •Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate and develop merchandise contracts. •Ensure billing was is in-line with current contracts and worked with collections on any delinquent payments. •Led administration of contracts including identifying, drafting, escalating, and resolving non-conforming terms. •Developed and maintained collaborative partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders. •Served as subject matter expert among stakeholders in administering and implementing contracts that met company objectives. •Performed annual onsite vendor audits and worked with internal partners to develop a consistent audit program.

Was responsible for processing vendor promotional agreements and capturing Master Data for Petco’s vendor community. •Tracked and communicated projected promotional funding and ensured billing in-line with contracts. •Developed and delivered manual and automated VPAs for multiple promotions. •Served as a liaison and subject matter expert, troubleshooting issues and answering questions for internal and external customers. •Managed data for all of Petco’s vendor community and communicated changes to impacted departments.

Was responsible for all Federal and State regulatory licensing requirements, resolving issues, reporting, payment of fines, and vendor compliance. •Streamlined reporting with New Mexico, Alabama, and Texas to import and sell various companion animals. •Developed and administered methods for holding the vendor community accountable for Weights and Measures fines. •Coordinated the calibration and certification of scales for all stores located in Connecticut.

Was responsible for managing risk in the employee management aspect for the company. Managed annual OSHA reporting and compliance. •Developed training material for Worker’s Compensation injuries. •Prepared reports and evaluated evidence for potential legal action, up to and including cases that had been prosecuted in a court of law. •Ensured “Right to Know” and “Provider” information was posted at more than 1,000 store locations. •Implemented California Medical Provider Network and ensured compliance.

Was responsible for employee data integrity by updating job titles, pay rates, and contact information, while processing bi-weekly payroll for multiple types of employees. •Processed payroll for top-level officers, store associates, and pet groomers. •Oversaw wage garnishments and ensured compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Act (FDCPA). •Provided assistance and resolved pay issues. •Authorized to produce off-cycle paychecks on an as-needed basis. •Helped implement a software upgrade to PeopleSoft. •Analyzed hiring and training practices at the store level.