I lead a team of experienced and capable category managers and support team. We work with faculty to optimize course material submitted for use each semester. We source, produce, and provide the materials in a variety of formats to meet students needs and work strategically to offer competitive pricing. Building cooperative and collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and students maximizes our success.

I led a team of experienced and highly qualified Category Managers and Buyers in the strategic acquisition and development of products sold at the BYU Store located on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, UT and on the BYU Store eCommerce web site.

I worked as a Category Manager and Analyst, utilizing my extensive retail background and proven analytical abilities. I managed the product selection for several key categories. In addition, I developed and provided key reporting tools for a variety of departments. I also created and refined sales projections for new products under development.I played a critical role in the success of our product development and sales. I brought over twenty years of retail sales, operations, and management experience to this role. These responsibilities built solid skills in the creation and purchasing of products that connects with customers needs.Reporting and analyzing past results helped our teams develop strategies for new products and optimized their sales. Identifying key selling points for each product gave them the highest likelihood for successful.I developed partnerships with a wide variety of individuals and departments, along with external suppliers and manufacturers. My end goal was always to maximize results and strengthen positive relationships. Being optimistic, yet realistic, helped me acquire diverse communication skills.Results will always be based on the successful creation and implementation of strategies to obtain and market the right products to the right customers. That is what I accomplished.

As a Senior Category Manager I was responsible for overseeing a team of Category Managers along with several key product categories. I inspired others to create the best possible results and motivated individuals and teams throughout the process. I worked to recogniz and reward positive actions that led to positive results.I was able to identify and create products that generated record sales, achieved margin goals, and grew year over year sales in every category. I fostered positive relationships with our publishing department, product developers, suppliers, sales representatives, retail administration, retail management, retail associates, marketing, and accounting.I led our team to set and achieve specific sales, selection, and SKU count goals. Our most critical focus was to see and create the REMARKABLE. We continually trained our eyes to see events, people, companies, and products so remarkable that people naturally talk about them. Learning and studying the remarkable led us to find, develop, and produce remarkable products for our publishing and retailing departments.The retail landscape is fast paced and we developed strategies and plans anticipating change rather than reacting to it. Through constant measuring of sales of product in each category we refined the selection in each channel to maximize results, meeting customers needs, both expressed and impulse driven. To know the customer is to know their needs and meet them at the highest level possible.We studied products continually and worked regularly with sales associates, managers, and customers. Making the connections between customers and products is where we measured successWe were a highly successful and disciplined team that improved year over year sales in the majority of products categories for five consecutive years.

My role was to manage several key categories for our retail outlets, including 37 retail stores and a web site/mail order department. I was responsible for product selection and managed the life cycle of the products including product development and design, distribution, merchandising, and marketing.My overall goal was to maximize the revenue generated in my categories. I established and maintained specific revenue, SKU count and inventory goals for each category based on sales history and sales potential.This was a challenging position which I worked hard at. I made monthly visits to retail stores to observe and adjust merchandising as needed and to interact with store associates and retail customers.

Managed the operations of various retail book stores in Colorado and Utah.