Steve Benson Email & Phone Number

Stillwater, Mn, Us

Responsible for directing day to day operations, financial planning, international product sourcing, and enterprise business process. Develop sourcing and negotiating strategies across key programs to maximize supply chain, costing, and resource efficiencies. Co-lead the building of annual financial budgets and monthly forecasting to present in monthly financial reporting packages as well as quarterly board meetings.~Led a company restructuring effort at Gartner Studios, resulting in consolidating positions and creating specific role-based positions for job focus and accountability. Initiative resulted in over $265,000 in annual payroll cost reductions, positioning the company for a turn around and enabling profitable growth. ~Managed and led the rebuilding of Gartner Studios product design and development process and new supporting system, resulting in a streamlined process, reducing team workload by 30%.~Developed and implemented an inventory reduction plan, eliminating 25% of Gartner’s inventory exposure for new programs by partnering with vendors upfront. ~Created a sourcing strategy to consolidate vendors and negotiate programs over an annual basis, resulting in stronger vendor collaboration, supply chain efficiencies, and an overall product cost reduction of 10.4% ($2.5M in cost savings) over 2015 and 2016 combined.

Stillwater, Mn, Us

Responsible for developing the business process to support the greeting card business, day to day warehouse operations, and leading key management through a major reorganization. Managed day to day warehouse operations, budget development and planning and ensuring key performance measures were achieved.~Executed the business process and intelligence requirements to support the everyday and seasonal inventory management and replenishment for greeting cards, resulting in achieving fill rates of 97% or better, and capturing seasonal sell thru above 80%, driving bottom line profitability. ~Planned and led effort to move Gartner Studios warehouse operations from a 60,000 sq. ft. facility to a 150,000 sq. ft. facility, and assisted in the lease negotiations ensuring minimal day to day disruptions.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Administered and managed all phases of project development, staffing, financial planning, process development, scope management, testing, change management, and implementation. Directed and led a team responsible for a $100 million dollar cross company initiative to develop a new process and system for Target to manage all item master data. ~Guided Target's $100 million cross company initiative to develop new tools and processes to manage all item master data. Delivered the project $7 million under budget and six months ahead of schedule.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Managed all phases of the project: staffing, financial planning, process development, scope management, testing, change management, and implementation. Managed cross functional team responsible for integrating Target's brick and mortar item data with its internet business, enabling Target to deliver a multi-channel experience.~Successfully lobbied and developed business case to expand the scope of Target's EDI 856 Electronic Receiving Project to include Vendor Managed Inventory Direct Store Delivery vendors, resulting in labor savings of over 40,000 hours annually for Target Stores.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Managed all phases of the project, staffing, financial planning, process development, scope management, testing, change management, and implementation. ~Spearheaded Target’s Scan Based Trading (SBT) initiative. Built strong partnerships with merchants and vendors to develop and implement new processes and systems to convert vendor supplied categories to SBT, resulting in labor savings of over 60,000 hours and $1.2 million in payroll annually for Target Stores.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Assortment planning across categories, strategy development and category management utilization to deliver financial results and grow market share. Extensive experience in financial planning and forecasting, vendor negotiations, seasonal builds, and supply chain planning.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Developed inventory management strategies and managed a team of re-buyers to maximize just-in time merchandise flow and store allocations to achieve turnover goals.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Worked in various Target merchandising departments in assortment planning, product procurement, and financial planning and forecasting.