Rob Bolke Email & Phone Number

Fort Worth, Texas

Strategic vision, leadership, and relationship management of the Sporting Goods Business Unit.Supported by a group of category experts and a talented central service team, we are forging a new commercialization path to deliver more value to our retail partners and suppliers. This is developed through efficiencies in a centralized supply chain, influencing.

Mendota Heights, MN

• Management of all Outdoor Sporting Goods categories, including: Shooting Sports, Hunting, Fishing, Marine, Paddle Sports, Watersports, Pool, Camping, and Household Electronics
• Representing the best interests of up to 40 independent retailers. Creating opportunities, efficiencies, and profit enhancements to the group through creative negotiation and a constructive, fair, and ethical use of.
• Significant experience in event management, sales, and service from hosting dozens of major events. Including industry leading semi-annual trade shows, buyer conferences, and executive strategy meetings.
• Built a category portfolio of nearly 600 of the industry's most influential brands. Leading to more competitive assortments and value on the shelf, which has supported significant market share growth for our retailers.

• Management of all merchandising activities in the Rod, Reels, and Fly Fishing categories, with success founded on aggressive action, strategic planning, and thorough execution
• Strategy, planning, and execution of highly regional assortments for 160+ store chain. Developed from an extensive understanding of national, regional, and local segmentation
• Repaired a struggling business on a four-year decline, into a $40m category with double-digit growth each year after
• Proven private label sourcing and product development expertise. Executing on all aspects from strategy to sale – delivering end of year results of up to 30% sales growth, and margin rate improvement of 2800 bps over.
• Restored consumer confidence in private label products through improved positioning, a heightened emphasis on quality, on-trend aesthetics, and a relevant marketing approach to our targeted demographic.
• Greatly improved vendor relationships through better partnership, creative negotiations, and transparency

Saint Paul, MN

• Management of all ecommerce inventory strategies and operations, in both Hardlines and Softlines categories
• Developed multi-channel processes to optimize efficiencies between brick & mortar and online operations.
• Led significant change in replenishment process and discipline, reducing backorders and out-of-stock rates

St. Paul, MN

• Responsible for all categories in Fishing, Camping, Cooking, Paddle Sports, Auto & ATV, and Marine.
• Developed and managed omni-channel strategy that drove historical growth year-over-year.
• Managed annual assortment, pricing, and promotion strategy for over 60,000 SKUs
• Provided creative and merchandising direction for improved customer experience
• Managed vendor relationship, creating significant efficiencies and opportunities through better partnerships

Saint Paul, MN

• Inventory strategy and management of 8,500 SKUs, driving $40 million in sales annually
• Create department and item level forecasts through financial planning and demand forecasting systems
• Maintain timely replenishment and product in-stocks by managing product flow from suppliers to stores
• Identify and communicate potential opportunities and risks to management teams with actionable recommendations
• Maximize sales and inventory productivity by developing regionally relevant assortments and distribution strategies
• Optimize item productivity and department growth through planogram and floor plan analysis Category Experience: Fishing Rods, Reels, Combos, Saltwater Tackle, Fly Fishing, Big Lake Tackle, Ice Fishing, Marine.

Saint Paul, MN

• Established and improved logistic partnerships that increased profitability
• Created sales and standard operating procedures
• Managed and approved special order sales on power sports equipment and services
• Coordinated sales with second party dealers and classifieds web sites
• Improved existing auditing procedures by applying comprehensive cycle counts for inventory management
• Planning and coordination of consumer shows

St Paul, Minnesota, United States

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Bachelor Of Business Administration - Bba, Marketing; Psychology, Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Beta Gamma Sigma

Education record