Tara Ecklund Email & Phone Number

The head of buying for Avalon’s Carpet, Area Rug and Furniture Divisions - reporting directly to the CEO.

The head of buying for Avalon’s Carpet, Area Rug and Laminate Divisions - reporting directly to the CEO.

Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States

The head of buying for Avalon’s Carpet and Area Rug Divisions - reporting directly to the the Vice President of Global Sourcing.

Cherry Hill, New Jersey

My roll has expanded into the area rug and window treatment decorative categories . I buy, negotiate, plan, merchandise and execute directives for 3 major departments, across 17 retail locations in the Philadelphia metropolitan region.

Cherry Hill, Nj

Assisted in managing carpet inventory, remnants, pricing, merchandising and buying for 14 locations across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Engage in daily reporting and communication with the executive team summarizing daily orders, merchandise and sales goals. Execute communication with management from each location focusing on departmental directives and the processing of sample and merchandising requests. Travel to all 15 locations to ensure the flow and placement of new samples, merchandising, tag and pricelist updates. Assist in setting sales goals and track the development and progress for each location.

Wilmington, De

Serviced both retail and contractor based clients throughout the flooring interior home design process. Utilized customer service and creative problem solving skills to consistently provide an elevated customer experience and superior end results. Provided custom drawings, color schemes and layouts to effectively capture the ideal vision of clients. Developed and maintained a strong client base through referrals and builder connections and consistently met and exceeded sales goals. Served as a manager on duty in the showroom until a promotional transition into product management in August 2015.

Chadds Ford, Pa

Managed and merchandised the apparel department, while supervising the sales floor. Utilized merhandising days to effectively interpret and execute the company vision while catering to the specific clientel of the region. Ensured proper inventory and merchandise flow from shipment to sales floor. Provided weekly reporting and feedback to buyers and headquarters to aid in effective evaluation of the location's business. Minimized shrink and worked with facility and security management to establish protocols that created a safe working and shopping environment. Managed holiday hiring and training sessions for peak selling seasons. Participated in merchandising and selling workshops for both the Philadelphia metropolitan disctrict and the greater D.C. area. Hosted and organized in store special events to raise the awareness of the stores offers and upcoming special features.

Served as an instructor and lecturer in the fine arts department of the university while completing my graduate degree and thesis. Courses included, Design1 &2, Drawing and Painting and Painting for non- majors. Wrote and executed course syllabi, projects and grading scales. Utilized digital teaching and grading software including Sakai. Served as a Advisor in the art advising office assisting undergraduates with degree and course planning. Additionally assisted managing the photo and multimedia lab and supervised equipment use and return.

Ellicott City, Md

Sykesville, Md

Ellicott City, Md

Maryland

Master Of Fine Arts (Mfa), Painting

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Graphic Design