Directed flow of product line from vendors – including Serta Mattresses, Ameriwood, Franklin, American Furniture and Sauder – to one of 1,400 company stores. Planned and forecasted all future sales and receipts on weekly basis, while maintaining optimal supply levels across all distribution centers. Managed product portfolio consisting of 200+ SKUs, procuring items, tracking and maintaining product inventory, and overseeing timely deliveries of all orders to distribution centers. Collaborated with buying, planning, allocation, marketing and logistical teams as well as agents in Asia and Europe. On weekly basis, reviewed sales and receipt plans, forecasting and adjusting current order based upon existing trends. Planned flow for promotional events, communicating needed changes to vendors and agents, generating and containerizing orders within agreed upon lead times. * Helped employer generate $300 million in annual sales representing 15% of $2 billion total annual furniture sales revenue. Directed flow of 200 products from 31 domestic/import vendors to five distribution centers, which ultimately ended up at one of company’s stores.* Increased area of oversight authority by 100% – from $150 million to $300 million over tenure – improving flow of goods while maintaining consistently high in-stock rates and credible product forecasts. * In response to challenge to add more than $5 million in additional receipts for advertisement – where receipts required making room in inventory for goods – formulated workable strategy. Entailed adding receipts – without increasing total inventory – while ensuring no interruptions of flow to stores.* Helped generate anywhere from $3 million dollars to $39 million in sales from advertised promotions, which would cause challenges product flow. Funded events while protecting and oftentimes building inventory of advertised product, to ensure success of promotional event. * Produced $1 million in freight savings for 2016.

Produced $5 million in annual sales – at 10% of total furniture volume – overseeing furniture clearance and closeout locations across three states, while supervising three employees. Directed flow of goods between all stores and two warehouses, coordinating placement and presentation of products on clearance floors. Organized and maintained damaged furniture program, filing carrier claims, negotiating vendor chargebacks and migrating full-priced retail goods to clearance centers.* Improved sales, while simplifying and automating store special furniture and custom order process. Accomplished results by playing crucial role in implementation of furniture special order system following Bon Ton merger with Elder-Beerman. Efforts encompassed modification and distribution of furniture manuals and training Associates at regional locations* Headed furniture custom and special order office in York, Pennsylvania, processing orders and receipt of all special/custom order instructions from clients of area stores.* Negotiated suitable settlements – in cases of damaged furniture – with Furniture Buyers and vendors. Initially inspected actual damages, subsequently determining if damage was caused by carrier, improper packaging or production flaw.* Formulated and implemented process enabling warehouse and store supervisors to assess extent of furniture damages and determine disposition of damaged furniture. Involved use of labeling system to designate furniture as “unfit for resale,” items “needing replacement parts,” or merchandise to be “moved to clearance.” Actions freed up invaluable staging-area spaces and reduced amount of items to be inspected or “damaged out” by Associates.

Supported main Buyer for Misses Separates Department with total of $38 million in annual sales. Planned and tracked departmental sales and markdowns, negotiating price of merchandise with vendors – by phone and at market – preparing advertising layouts and promotional copy. Tracked all product orders and shipments – from creation to receipt – negotiating merchandise margins and providing markdown assistance to store management.* Coordinated volume purchase of basic pant and blouse product lines valued at $9 million annually. Planned assortment of items shipped to individual stores, specifying key items and amounts to be included in all shipments, and negotiating terms and conditions with vendors.* Played key role in development of “Sag Harbor Week” major selling intensification promotion. Helped design and complete multi-page layout in Spring Sale advertising mailer, developing store sales contests – including sales goals by region and store – informing store management of promotion via monthly store planner.* Helped integrate Bon-Ton and Elder-Berman product lines during 2004 corporate merger, maintaining sales while adapting to new merchandise lines and processes. Disseminated insight and experience to colleagues across ready-to-wear division, boosting productivity of employees during challenging transition.* Developed and sourced new products, working with vendors during monthly market meetings to review products and lines. Conducted comprehensive reviews of merchandise specifications and quality as well as marketplace trends, subsequently collaborating with visual staff to determine placement of goods on store floor.

Ensured that product levels remained constant to meet demand while generating forecasts to ensure that all items remained in stock. Oversaw automated replenishment system, reviewing weekly sales, estimated order and store in-stock metrics through exception reporting activities. Performed routine, ongoing assortment reviews with Buyer and Planning Manager colleagues, meeting with store management to receive feedback on product flow performance* Managed $77.5 million in golf, baseball, hockey and table game department inventory, interacting with such well-known vendor brand names as Nike, Titleist, Wilson and Spalding. * Responded to dramatic increase in demand for youth soccer bags within Atlanta market. Involved speaking with regional store management and Planning Manager, realizing that inventory turned over too fast in previous year, missing large number of sales. Altered procurement plan so that soccer bags would be delivered to stores earlier in season and more frequently, greatly reducing store out-of-stock scenarios.* Optimized effectiveness in career field with new product line, by collaborating with colleagues to gain understanding of market and associated product flow. Assessed previous years’ trends to formulate projections and develop product assortment plans.