Managing product categories including: Business Bags, Luggage ,Travel Accessories, Hydration, Lunch and Retail Store Supplies . Formerly managed Shredders, Office machines, Telephones, and Projector segments. Developing category strategy including assortment plans, merchandise and vendor selection, negotiation, financial planning, supply chain and inventory turn implications, promotional and seasonal plans, merchandise presentation, vendor relations and administration for assigned lines. • Developed and achieved category business plans for retail channel including budgeted goals in sales, margin, and inventory. * Executed and effectively communicated strategy to the highest levels of the company. • Manage vendor relationships and collaborate on building joint business plans. • Negotiate for lowest total delivered cost, volume incentives, rebates, advertising and other applicable allowances.• Effectively partner and influence other cross-functional teams to prioritize and align with strategy’s. Teams include Pricing, Store operations, Store experience, Marketing, Inventory & Planning, and more.*Collaborate with Store Brand partners on development and strategy of Staples own brand items. • Manage and develop, mentor support team.

• Managed categories including Seasonal General Merchandise and Apparel ; Multi cultural Hair Care, Hair Accessories and Fragrance for 7500+ stores. • Crafted, implemented and presented annual financial budgets and managed monthly profit and loss statements. • Developed, executed and managed assortments, planograms and category reviews annually for maximum productivity. • Analyzed internal sales reporting, Extra Care (customer loyalty), and market data (IRI and Nielsen) to create strategies and drive growth in sales, profitability, market basket and market share. • Influenced and built strategic partnerships with cross functional support areas, key stake holders and the vendor community including annual joint business plans.• Collaborated continuously to create process improvements, process mapping, adopt best practices and implement sustainable new solutions.• Coordinated 360-degree multimedia marketing strategies including, TV and print, display, in-store events, social media, public relations and weekly circular promotional activities.• Traveled overseas, developing seasonal trend direction and product. Directed all aspects of product development from inception to packaging and displays. • Created seasonal plans for key items establishing markup, shelf pack, purchase quantity, allocation, pricing, promo and markdown strategies. • Drove innovation thru forecast modeling and implementing tests of new programs, platforms or fixturing.

Boutique Owner: Managed all areas of operation. • Managed Women’s designer contemporary apparel specialty boutique and E commerce website. • Strategized, managed and executed plans for all areas: financial, merchandising, marketing, operations and personnel • Developed company brand, designed look of store , website content ,direct mail items and print advertising vehicles

Merchandiser, Junior Girl’s Knit and Fleece Tops and Bottoms, Sweaters and Graphics Tees • Collaborated on crafting and implementing the merchandising and brand strategy. • Established direction and priorities for cross functional teams comprised of designers, production, technical, financial planning and visual merchandising. Led the team to create a product line that supported the store’s goals with a key item focus. • Collaborated with design team to shop, research and identify fashion trends, to interpret and exploit for customer profile.• Develop seasonal business plans, item purchase quantity and promotional pricing strategies. • Completed accurate financial forecasts balancing impact of historical, current and future trends.• Skilled in product development. Challenged production, technical teams, and vendors, to secure best pricing, sourcing, quality and proper fit.• Trained, developed, motivated and mentored assistant, associate and new buyers, to ensure effective performance and growth.

Buyer, Junior-Teen Sportswear.Associate Buyer , Womans Sweaters and Knits.

Off Price Buyer, Woman's Knits and Sweaters

Liasion between buying office and field during merger with A&S division Assistant Buyer , Intimate Apparel Sales Department Manager Executive training program