Stephanie Charles Email & Phone Number

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

My role as a Senior Manager has been nothing short of transformative, marked by a series of challenges embraced and milestones achieved. Stepping into this role for the first time, I was responsible and intricately involved in the origination and development of the broader sourcing organization within the company. I'm proud of how I acclimated and asserted myself in this new position.The main focus of my role has been managing Costing Events, where I led initiatives for product placement that aligned with the overall company sourcing strategy, ensuring a seamless process with multiple internal and global partners. By refining cost reporting and fostering cross-functional collaboration, I ensured that costs in my area remained within guidance, underscoring my commitment to excellence and attention to detail.Moreover, my involvement in various committees and special projects has allowed me to make a broader impact. Co-leading the Strategic Sourcing Committee has been particularly rewarding, as it provided me with the opportunity to drive overarching strategy and foster communication with upper management. Reflecting on my journey, some of my proudest moments have been rooted in personal growth and meaningful connections. Accompanying top leadership on an Asia trip post-COVID was an invaluable experience, providing insights into vendor relations and factory operations after the pandemic. Building relationships with vendors has been particularly gratifying, as it underscores my commitment to nurturing partnerships and driving strategic initiatives. I was also directly involved in our Western Hem growth strategy and established relationships in those countries. Beyond my managerial responsibilities, I've been deeply invested in the growth and development of my team. Whether it's supporting their career advancement, onboarding new talent, or sponsoring aspiring leaders for development programs, I've strived to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Transitioning to apparel presented a steep learning curve, but I dove in headfirst, immersing myself in multiple new categories of business and quickly adapting to the nuances of the product category. Navigating the intricacies of apparel processes, from fit reviews to ASHOs, presented new challenges, but I relied on my team and expert APMs to keep us on track. Learning to operate in the grey and make decisions amidst uncertainty was a valuable lesson, one that continues to shape my approach to problem-solving and decision-making.I recognized the importance of forming strong relationships with my new teams and vendors. Through open communication and a shared sense of purpose, I fostered a culture of trust and collaboration, driving meaningful conversations and effectively executing to product strategy. One of my proudest achievements was successfully influencing merchant partners and playing a pivotal role in executing the transition of our largest denim program to a direct vendor from a domestic importer, demonstrating my ability to navigate complex transitions with finesse and precision while achieving strategic sourcing outcomes. Ultimately, I was chosen to participate as a lead negotiator for a company wide strategic cost savings where I drove substantial cost decreases across several categories of business, showcasing my strategic acumen and negotiation skills.

Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

I was promoted into the manager role of Home Decor and Trim in 2015. I grew immensely and gained invaluable experience all while consistently and constantly growing my area's of responsibility and adding more brands to my portfolio.As a seasoned Team Lead managing diverse private brands, I exceled in presenting strategies to senior leadership. In my role overseeing the $85 million Home Décor Category, I orchestrated three exclusive brand partnerships (Disney, Lauren Conrad and Property Brothers) , propelling $10 million in sales growth. My expertise in the Concept to Customer process ensured seamless execution while managing vendor communications and updates, creating and implementing the development calendar, and driving collaboration cross functionally to execute to product strategies. During my tenure in this role, 90% of the product I sourced was from China. I had to diligently and independently manage the vendor matrix and strategically diversify production locations to mitigate tariff impacts. With a keen eye on communication and process management, I ensured timely deliveries and streamlined operations. Additionally, I spearheaded the development of an artisanal home décor line, leveraging international travel experience to forge valuable vendor relationships and meet evolving market needs. I gained invaluable experience on oversea's trips to strengthen vendor relationships while also evaluating new sourcing opportunities across India, Taiwan, China and other Countries of Production.

• Managed $12 million private label Frame and Wall Decor business. • Increased private label penetration of business by 30% on frame and wall decor floor pad.• Drove $1.3 million dollar increase in our Christmas private label brand through product differentiation and incremental growth in wall decor category.

DRIVE PROCESS AND DATA MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCIESCROSS FUNCTIONAL PARTNERSHIPSSupported the Product Manager while independently owning the categories of table linens and frames / home décor.• Outlined assortment needs based on sales analysis and customer insight in order to direct strategy.• Supported cost negotions and executed award and vendor selection• Was acutely informed of supplier and COP capability, competency, and expertise• Participated in high level strategy alignment cross functionally to define brand and product opportunities• Responsible for the production process from vendor award to in-store delivery

• Followed up daily with vendors to ensure product specification, quality standards, approvals, deadlines and deliveries were met• Managed cross-functional collaboration with buying, design and marketing departments• Negotiated with domestic and overseas vendors to achieve directed IMUs by program and drive sales• Developed strong relationships with and thorough understanding of vendor capabilities and strengths• Read and analyzed selling data to react to current sales• Benchmarked and reported competition in marketplace

Kohls Department Stores

• Participated in Product Development cycle by attending concept, break out and work-in-progress meetings with design team and buying offices • Assisted Product Manager in hand-offs, artwork direction, and buyer meetings for Decorative Bath and Basic Bath programs • Managed packaging process for the Decorative Bath office independently. Responsible for submission of packaging requests, sample tracking for photo studio shoots, release of artwork to vendors, tracking of vendor proofs and finalized approval for packaging in a sku intensive area

Greater Milwaukee Area