Men’s and Women’s MLB Apparel Buyer

MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL Women’s Buyer

Successfully owned a subset of the comfort footwear portfolio-equating to 30+ vendors and nearly $17M in demand.After interviewing, gained support from upper management to receive next open Buyer role.Established relationships with vendors to secure competitive pricing and discounts, which resulted in growth for numerous vendors.Analyzed sales and inventory data to determine purchasing needs and reorder points.Surpassed LY sales for several vendors with some experiencing over 300% increases YOY.Onboarded new vendor partners and developed strategies for success which included negotiating buying terms (price, quantity, inventory, and delivery).Developed plans and strategy for timely sell-through on high volume pre-buys.Strategically ran weekly or bi-monthly comfort footwear collection events resulting in $25k / event and moved through on-hand units at a faster pace.Utilized vendor marketing to improve demand for new vendors and for long-time vendors with recent declines.Shared vendor marketing findings to entire footwear team to promote use of vendor marketing and cross-divisional partnership.Early adopter of AB Pool for Footwear Team. Gathered relevant findings to present a Lunch & Learn to entire Merchandising team.Successfully utilized AB Pool and managed AB and MVS team members through duration of event life.Change champion for internal tool and process changes as well as for new Shopify platform adoption process.Worked cross-divisionally to share findings for long-term improvements.Utilized KPIs and extensive reporting to assist in planning and managing the calendar, which resulted in meeting quarterly and annual goals.Maintained timely product deliveries by effectively communicating with vendors, merchants, and operations.

Successfully maintained a high dollar business in the absence of a Senior Buyer and a Buyer over the course of six months.Established relationships with vendors to support access to latest product information and pricing.Negotiated prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.Reviewed purchasing trends and forecast demand for inventory planning and replenishment.Monitored incoming orders and tracked progress to meet deadlines.Researched and evaluated market trends and industry developments to optimize purchasing strategies.Analyzed sales data and conducted competitor research to efficiently order merchandise according to sales trends.Evaluated product quality and vendor performance to maintain quality standards.Aided in driving growth for vendor partners in the vintage-inspired footwear space.Assisted Buyers and Senior Buyers with event curation from start to finish.Partnered cross divisionally for storytelling events and event improvements as the result of industry trend research.Utilized KPIs and extensive reporting to assist in planning and managing the calendar which resulted in meeting quarterly and annual goals.Drove team progress through the development of the Teams FW AB Chat and outlined SOPs for pre-buys and utilization of stock imagery.Aided in the integration of a vendor (through a VAN) from start to finish in order to develop a process for the continued integration company wide.Dedicated member of the Merch Enablement and Engagement Committee.

Fall 2018- Taught RCS 264: Fashion Retail ManagementSpring 2019- Research Assistant in the CARS departmentFall 2019- Spring 2021 - Academic Advisor for CARS department students and Research Assistant

Taught M209 Apparel Industries and M404 International Apparel and Textile Trade

Taught M209 Apparel Industries

Time spent grading writing assignments and visual-based assignments. Proponent for information literacy and served as a resource for students on proper APA citation format. Served as a class advisor for students throughout each semester, providing guidance and tools to successful learning. Prepared quizzes and midterms/final exams. Fall '15 - International Textiles and Apparel TradeSpring '16 - Apparel Manufacturing and Quality AnalysisFall '16 - Introduction to Retail Design and Merchandising Spring '17 - Introduction to Retail Design and Merchandising

Aided in the visual merchandising, inventory, and retail operations of the merchandise tent for the duration of the Western & Southern tennis tournament

Promoted twice within one year after receipt of Employee of the Month award on three different occasions. Successfully executed the district’s bottom strategy to increase pant sales 2% above forecast.Aided in supervision of a 21,000 sq. ft. remodel for a high volume store.Excelled in merchandising with results that significantly increased company sales placing Frisco into a premiere stores district.Supervised social media accounts and doubled site traffic within the first quarter.Utilized gross margins to merchandise store resulting in sales exceeding budget and previous year sales.Successfully planned and executed Gap “Styld By” events for a multimillion dollar store. Responsibilities included: Merchandising based on business acumen. Collateral/Promotional supervisor. Proper execution of visual in-store and window displays. Leading and training a successful team. Quarterly planning and execution of new product to produce high volume sales. Monthly planning for reducing aged inventory ownership.

Successfully hired among former collegiate and professional athletes.Logged and cut collegiate basketball game video into plays, tagging respectively. Cut film to be sent to universities and athletic organizations for practice and improvements in game play.

Key asset in store reaching $1 million in sales for the first time.Recognized as the primary buyer and focused on training of others.Significantly reduced internal loss through proper training of associates.Well versed in brands and subsequent individual company pricing strategies.Responsibilities included: Primary buyer. Advertising strategist. Supervision and training of team. Coordinator of displays. Direct contact for inventory control.