Assistant Buyer Teamed with Buyer to develop and implement merchandising plan. Executed and managed all related merchandising activities including product selection, design creation, vendor negotiation, vendor set-up and item maintenance on all product. Tracked all purchase orders to verify receipt accuracy and insure timely delivery into the warehouse. Managed customer requests for special orders. Ordered and maintained all product samples for planograms, marketing and ads. Produced reports and analyzed weekly sales for all categories. Developed buy plans for seasonal categories. Set planograms for various categories.Categories - Basic party including: Juvenile, General Birthday, Themes, Sports, Catering, General Entertaining, Tableware, Bakeware, Electronics and Piñatas with a budget $94MM, representing 49% of purchases in the 185 store chain.•Integral part of increasing purchases from $18M to $34M by completing 7 new planograms and converting 6 planograms in a 6 month time-frame; normal process is 12-18 months.•Developed new Juvenile Party Program by changing store profile, incorporating toys, books and gifts, enabling consumer one-stop shopping. Sales increased 3.9%•Under strict deadline, developed licensing sales report by gathering and reviewing 35,000 skus, assigned licensed code where applicable and automated the manual process from 5 days to 1. Report enabled managers to make better decisions on licenses based on performance. •Proactively researched, secured fixturing and approved product shipment for store grand opening. Actions ensured complete catering program at time of opening preventing lost sales of $10k and a negative impact on customer relations.•Implemented 3100 prices changes in less than 2 days increased sales by $500K•Developed sku for Kids Party Catalogs as an item in warehouse. Sku allowed catalogs to be shipped from warehouse to stores and replenished. Shipping catalogs instead of UPS save the company $18,000.

Account Executive (1998-1999)Managed 20 small to medium financial institutions in the Midwest. Developed sales plan, presentations, prepared financial models, identified opportunities and recommended programs for growth, retention and usage. Traveled 50%.•Led team that developed a co-branded credit card with Bridgestone Firestone and MasterCard resulting increase card volume of 2000 credit cards and $1M in sales.•Developed programs that increased retention and usage programs by $500 million for credit cards by strengthening relationships and brand preference.Account Associate (1996-1998)Managed over 100 remote non face to face financial institutions through email, phone calls and mail and communicated new marketing opportunities.•Developed survey to analyze the needs of remote accounts. Based on survey, developed plan and implemented program that increased sales by 5%. Sales Correspondent (1994-1996)Conducted analysis and research support for day-to-day Maestro Atm cards/debit cards operations to help senior management attain performance goals. Responded to member inquiries and requests in a timely manner and in accordance with quality standards. Coordinated and attended 20 tradeshows in Midwest region relating to debit products yearly.•Develop accurate, attractive analytical product and sales support materials for use in sales calls and regional efforts.•Provided monthly billing and back-up finance that ensured timely and accurate invoicing of switch and membership feesAdministrative Assistant (1993-1994)Performed full range of support and coordinated daily operations for Vice President, Director and Management level staff members. Established maintained and utilized member data bases used in mailings and internal reporting. Managed inventory for all sales material, premium gifts, and office supplies for Midwest office. Coordinated travel for all tradeshows, booth, premiums and sales materials for account executives.

Supported Director of the QCA Association and 12 Account Representatives and Managers. Assisted in planning all regional seminars, annual conferences and education training classes and the development of all materials, selection of hotels and catering and travel arrangements. Maintained the 450 member database. Invoiced and collected annual dues.