Collaboratively defined product assortment with my team of 3 buyers & 3 assistants for 200 stores in 24 states and produced positive results in the areas of sales volume, gross margin, turnover, and other controllable elements of net profit. * Generated $50 million out of $132 million in total company sales volume in the areas of my responsibility - Knit Dept, Bottoms Dept, and Lounge Dept. In the 3 years of being the Senior Buyer over the Knit Dept, increased sales volume by over 43% and gross margin by 23% * Developed a successful and profitable private label basics business thru direct importing.($11 million out of $40 million in Knit Dept sales volume) Increased this business 63% in volume in 3 years and gross margin by 64%. * Assisted with the launch of the Vanity E-commerce site in July 2008. * Monthly travel to the east or west coast to meet with vendors and determine trend, color, product assortment. * Overseas travel 2-3 times a year to determine trend, color and product assortment with purchasing samples & adjusting the items for the target customer. * Partner with DMM, Merchandise Planner, and Buyer to execute assortment plans and financial plans for up coming seasons. * Effectively managed OTB, inventory levels, and imu's with chasing or cancelling of product in accordance to business conditions & utilizing a markdown process. * Improved management techniques and attention to detail, developed and maintained relationships with 15 major vendors. * Earned a reputation as a valuable and cooperative coworker by: being fair, honest, and willing to help others when needed; effectively resolving conflicts at appropriate times; and assisting new managers and other staff to become familiar with policy and operations * Proficient in Outlook and Excel. * Managed employee performance evaluations and incentive programs to increase employee productivity * Interviewed, hired & trained multiple staff members.

Determined product assortment for 170 stores and worked with Planning staff to maximize sales volume, gross margin, inventory, and turnover. * Generated a 40% increase in sales volume from 1998 to 2005 in my area of responsibility. ($20 million to $28 million) * Hired, mentored and trained 2 assistants to take on additional responsibility in the form of select classes she would purchase. * Monthly travel to east or west coast to meet with vendors to determine trend, color, and product for multiple seasons. * Partner with DMM and Merchandise Planner to execute assortment plans and financial plans for up coming seasons. * Effectively managed OTB, inventory levels, and imu's with chasing or cancelling of product in accordance to business conditions & utilizing a markdown process. * Daily involvement with the Fit Dept to ensure execution of Vanity specifications from vendors.

Managed 3 buyers & 2 assistants with forecasting trends & managing otb's and inventory levels

I worked in the Childrens area as a Dept Lead.

Supervised 8 part-time associates, promoted strong customer service, executed monthly directive merchandising, monthly and seasonal markdowns/markups, completed in-store price changes, weekly preparation and ad-set, created a communication manual for my area, and received "Associate of the Month" for July

Worked in the Dresses & Coat area as a Dept Lead.

Supervised 4 part-time associates, promoted strong customer relations, area floor merchandising, monthly and seasonal recaps on merchandise, weekly hot item reports, daily communication with merchandiser, handled monthly markdowns and sale promotions, and received "Communicator of the Year" award.