Erica Smith Email & Phone Number

Mooresville, Nc, Us

Mooresville, Nc, Us

• Translated strategic objectives into actionable tactics to drive sales, gross margin, and inventory turn • Developed and implemented innovative strategies to meet customer needs, grow market share, and capitalize on Product Line Review and other business strategies• Maintained strong vendor relationships, negotiated effectively, and acquired new partnerships to optimize product category success.• Stayed abreast of industry trends and new businesses to ensure continued success in the competitive market.

Mooresville, Nc, Us

• Drove triple digit comps by promotional planning, item expansion, and online content enhancements• Added new items in Home Accents (Furniture, Soft goods, Mattresses), Storage & Organization, and Blinds & Shades to create customer focused Omni-Channel experience • Produced third highest Year-to-Date new items sales• Increased margin goal through vendor management and negotiations • Exceeded overall company growth in online penetration and online growth through internal search improvements and expanded assortments• Manage promotional strategies to maximize sales, profitability, and leverage pricing and promotional elasticity• Communicate recommendations regarding product mix and top selling products to cross-functional teams by analyzing historical sales, gross margin, search and traffic, current trends, and competitive information• Work with Trend, Marketing, Category Experience, and other online teams to drive the look and feel of Enterprise efforts such as New York Fashion Week, American Idol, DIY Weddings, and Décor quarterly Trend assortments• Partner with Store merchants and Supply Chain partners to define product assortments and white space opportunities by establishing efficient and cost-effective solutions for product sales • Generated and submitted weekly reports to MVP and DMM’s outlining progress against KPI objectives• Train, develop, and mentor two Online Merchandising Specialists to analyze the business, strong vendor relationships, spot trends, and understand the customer shopping experience• Mentor Associate Merchant on business strategies, processes, and improvements to meet company objectives• Mentored Summer intern in reviewing assortments, vendor meetings, promotion strategy, and final product presentation• Participated and partnered with cross functional teams in piloting/testing new functionality and process improvements• Received Executive Service Star Award

St. Louis, Mo, Us

• Managed Home assortment, with double digit comp increase in 2018, for 75 retail stores consisting of Furniture, Lighting, Rugs, Pillows, Wall Decor, and display Bedding for each store• Implemented $3K cost savings per retail store by sourcing new fixtures and bedding materials• Managed Lighting, Wall Décor, and Rug categories for internet • Managed The Décor Cooperative—A collaborated and curated assortment with three bloggers/authors—Cedar Hill Farmhouse, Dear Lillie, and French Country Cottage—consisting of Furniture, Lighting, Rugs, Wall Décor, and Accessories.• Drove retail comp and margin improvements through competitive pricing analysis, cost negotiation, merchandise selection, and product development • Analyzed sales trends and merchandise strategies to build assortments, identify new product opportunities, omni-channel merchandise implementation, and online marketing components• Established and maintained vendor relationships, executed product selection, cost negotiations, product information, and lead times• Partnered with IC to manage Open to Buy for retail and internet assortments for each season• Worked with cross-functional teams to ensure visual presentation was accurate product will be at stores and on floor by the specified due date• Sourced Furniture, Rugs, Lighting, Wall Art, and Pillows with domestic and international vendors

• Managed $10.2 million in Legwear (Socks/Hosiery), $1.6 million in Intimate Apparel, and $18.9 million in Lower Leg Health categories for the FootSmart catalog and FootSmart.com • Worked with Purchasing to facilitate all product buys, delivery, lead time, and minimums• Analyzed sales trends and merchandise strategy to identify new product opportunities, catalog merchandise implementation, and online marketing components• Drove margin improvements through competitive pricing analysis, cost negotiation, merchandise selection, and product development• Established and maintained vendor relationships and executed product selection, cost negotiations, product information, and lead times• Mentored and developed Assistant Buyer to analyze the business, spot trends, and to understand the customer and shopping experience• Traveled to domestic market shows to review product and build strong vendor relationships

Atlanta, Ga, Us

• Managed $12 million in Décor and $6 million in Lighting categories for an omni-channel retailer by utilizing financial acumen, trend analysis, vendor negotiation, and product development• Understand customer base and select appropriate products that appeal to the customer• Executed omni-channel directives by utilizing product analysis and reacting quickly to trends to create a properly balanced assortment • Managed the financial elements of the business such as OTB and IMU• Traveled to domestic market shows to review product development and in-line product• Prioritized tasks and balance the immediate and long term needs of the business• Mentored and developed Buyer Assistant to analyze the business, spot trends, and to have an understanding of the customer and the shopping experience• Partnered with cross-functional teams to drive category strategies and results• Partnered with global sourcing offices to ensure on time sample and PO deliveries.

Atlanta, Ga, Us

-Ballard+ iPad app.--working with Creative, Merchandising, and eCommerce teams to develop concept, gather imagery, copy, and provide feedback.• Managed implementation of website Merchandising -Worked closely with Merchandise Buyers to ensure content of items on the website -Updated photography and added any additional photography that shows features and benefits -Updated Category, Product, Shopping Cart, and Search Results pages for each creative -Updated By Room section of website each catalog cycle• Quarterly review of 10 product pages and top 5 category pages with highest bounce rates and made recommendations for improvement• Management and creation of product attributes to drive “Attribute Browse”• Monitored site search results weekly and provided additional keywords and phrases• Ensured cross sells were producing ROI; optimized other pages with new strategies and biasing

Atlanta, Ga, Us

At the end of 2008, while employed as the Lighting Buyer, I took on the additional responsibility of Wall Decor. I managed both areas, for over approximately a year and a half, until I was officially deemed Wall Decor Buyer in 2010.• Managed $23 million in Wall Décor and $8 million in Lighting for an omni-channel retailer by utilizing financial acumen, trend analysis, vendor negotiation, and product development• Executed five catalogs which started at product analysis and developed into a catalog of home decorating style• Presented category introductions for each directive; maintain appropriate space and position for products• Reviewed digital/mechanical/color spreads and website for correct use of images and copy• Assortment Management - Maintained appropriate assortment for Wall Décor and Lighting - Monitored assortment for online only product for the website; grew Lighting 43% in one year to over $1 million in online sales - Determined projected volume and page space for the catalog - Maintained profitability ensuring areas increase in demand, marketing contribution, and square inch productivity. - Established relationships with vendors and negotiated pricing and discounts• Determined category needs and designed products that maintained the integrity of the brand - Developed new products and partnered with domestic vendors and in-house Sourcing team to negotiate costs and provide timely completion of projects - Domestic and International travel to review product and build strong vendor relationships

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Managed over $8 million for an omni-channel retailer by utilizing financial acumen, trend analysis, vendor negotiation, and product development • Executed five new directives which started at product analysis and developed into a catalog of of home decorating style.- Presented category introductions for each directive; maintained appropriate space and position for products- Reviewed digital/mechanical/color spreads and website for correct use of images and copy• Assortment Management- Maintained appropriate assortment for Lighting- Monitored assortment for online only product for the website; increased online assortment to over $1 million in one year- Determined projected volume and page space for the catalog- Maintained profitability ensuring areas increase in demand, marketing contribution, and square inch productivity• Determined category needs and designed products that maintained the integrity of the brand- Developed new products and partnered with domestic vendors and in-house Sourcing team to negotiate costs and provide timely completion of projects- Domestic and International travel to review product and build strong vendor relationships

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Managed Lighting for an omni-channel retailer by utilizing financial acumen, trend analysis, vendor negotiation, and product development • Executed five new directives which started at product analysis and developed into a catalog of home decorating style.- Presented category introductions for each directive to Buyer; maintained appropriate space and position for products- Reviewed digital/mechanical/color spreads and website for correct use of images and copy• Assortment Management- Maintained appropriate assortment for Lighting and reviewed with Buyer- Monitored assortment for online only product for the website- Determined projected volume and page space for the catalog- Maintained profitability ensuring areas increase in demand, marketing contribution, and square inch productivity• Determined category needs and designed products that maintained the integrity of the brand- Partnered with Sourcing team to negotiate costs and provide timely completion of projects- Domestic and International travel to review product and build strong vendor relationships

Atlanta, Ga, Us

• Worked with Merchants to develop item sales forecasts• Assure accurate item forecasts by maintaining lead times, cost, and ship method• Issue and monitor forecasts to vendors• Balance item forecasts with overall catalog sales and adjusting where necessary.• Act as liaison between Ballard Designs and CCSG Drop Ship Customer Service to ensure that backorders, late shipments, and escalated order issues are resolved in a timely manner.•Assist vendors in resolving any issues they have in using Ballard Design's order management system.

Atlanta, Ga, Us

• Assisted two Merchants in these categories:- Wall Decor- Accessories- Lighting- Tabletop/Holiday• Managed day to day duties:- Completed assortment plan- Maintained photography samples- Assisted in catalog building and presentation- Contacted vendors for spec sheets and samples

• Managed Pro Shop in the upscale Concourse Athletic Club- Met with vendors to see new lines and trends- Purchased apparel, footwear, and rackets - Helped customer's with selections and accepted suggestions for products that we might be missing- Trained employees on POS system and selling techniques

San Francisco, California, Us

Atlanta, GA-Assistant Store Manager 2000-2001New York City, NY-Assistant Store Manager 1999-2000Kansas City, MO-Lead Cashier 1998-Assistant Store Manager 1998-1999Lawrence, KS-Sales Associate 1997-1998

B.F.A, Textile Design

High School