Thomas (Tom) Kruth Email & Phone Number

Saint Paul, Mn, Us

Saint Paul, Mn, Us

Grinnell, Ia, Us

Analyzed complex data and developed competitive pricing strategies to gain market share and achieve revenue goals across all categories for Brownell’s (Direct), and Crow Shooting Supply (Wholesale). Analyzed data from multiple sources, developed complex pricing models, and collaborated with sales, marketing and merchandising teams to develop category margin strategies.

Medina, Mn, Us

Responsible for delivering the financial performance of specific departments and limited categories for the entire life cycle of all assigned products. Partner with cross functional team members to drive strategy, purchasing decisions, supply chain management, marketing campaigns, retail POG rollout, and execution of all products and programs throughout Rockler Stores, Internet and Catalogs.Key Contributions:♦ Manage the legacy category of Finishing & Media: 3,000+ items, 100+ vendors♦ Responsible for the department budget planning and execution♦ Determine standard and promotional product pricing through competitive analysis, industry research, store visits, product pricing strategies to support to support management of major product categories♦ Work collaboratively with buyers, merchants, marketing, creative and distribution teams to assure the supply chain is managed efficiently and product is represented in all channels and effectively distributed to the customer♦ Negotiate with vendors to secure the lowest price and most favorable terms utilizing incentives, payment terms, rebates, co-op, allowance, returns, item quantities and freight discounts♦ Implement / manage asset collection for item setup for ecommerce, catalog, and retail♦ Report POS weekly, monthly, quarterly sales and inventory reporting, and provide forecasts to vendors to maximize in stock rates♦ Develop “Buyer’s Guides” on key assortments, showcasing differences and improving the customer experience, assist in creating product training guides and quizzes for retail teams on new items♦ Work collaboratively with creative, marketing, on new signage rollout

South St. Paul, Mn, Us

Excellent at POS reporting and analytics, forecasting, inventory management. Solid strategic planner, with a strong track record for developing / implementing innovative processes to streamline business objectives, minimize inventory losses, and increase profit margins. Ability to planner across the company with Merchandising, Creative, and SEO teams to create a Omni-channel customer experience on key categories, products, promotions, campaigns and marketing initiatives. Team focused motivator, who is known to for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with internal/external stakeholders. Key Contributions:♦ E-commerce Analyst for aftermarket vehicle accessories, marine, water sports, and ATV, at Sportsman’s Guide, Boating Savings and Truck Monkey micro sites.♦ Expanded the market channels by adding merchandise to Amazon (Increase 12mm), and eBay (Increase 1mm).. ♦ Managed, analyzed, and reported on the business strategies, tactics, purchase orders, and customer insights for assigned categories, leveraging both customer and 3rd party channel insights and POS analytics to optimize the customer experience♦ Implemented / managed all assets necessary for item setup, and maintenance on new and existing products, leveraging upload sheets and vendor portals♦ Worked collaboratively with marketing, merchants, creative teams, to enhance product detail pages with images, copy, banners, and implemented the enhancements ♦ Aligned cross functional teams (Inventory and Planning, Space Planning) as it relates to buying, inventory strategies, weekly, monthly, quarterly performance review♦ Managed and executed the E-commerce business / marketing strategies, and implemented Online promotional calendars♦ Established improved navigation, search, and taxonomy plans on key categories by partnering with merchandising, and customer insights and analytics tools ♦ Interfaced with technical support teams to implement navigation changes

South St. Paul, Mn, Us

Key leadership responsibilities in e-commerce as a buyer of sporting goods and site usability expert. Perceptive with a solid reputation for strategizing / executing profitable action plans and exceeding targeted business goals by partnering with merchandisers and marketing. Designed, implemented, administrated UI/UX usability on SportsmansGuide.com. Managed several 3rd party customer facing insight tools, to improve the customer experience. Collaborated with internal/external teams to ensure project success. Key Contributions:♦ Built strong sports and recreation assortments as an e-commerce category manager in hunting, shooting accessories, guns, gun parts, marine, water sports, camping, fishing, truck accessories on Sportsman’s Guide, Boating Savings and Truck Monkey micro sites from start-up and grew micro sites to 10mm, 30mm Sportsman’s Guide♦ Expanded the e-commerce market channels by adding merchandise to Ebay (Increase 1mm), and Amazon (Increase 12mm)♦ Entrepreneurial, and innovative individual who pioneered the JIT & Factory Direct business model by reading vendors inventory (Virtual warehouse) and selling up to those quantities, cutting purchase orders, and delivering the merchandise the next day to Sportsman’s Guide warehouse ( FD 30mm, JIT 13mm)♦ Managed and executed the E-commerce business strategies, tactics, and customer experiences for assigned categories, leveraging both customer, channel insights and analytics to optimize the online experience♦ Managed several 3rd party customer insight marketing tools, including: Endeca and Bloomreach search and navigation, Bazaarvoice customer ratings & reviews, and OpinionLabs to gain insights on customer’s experiences, and recommend enhancements based on the results♦ Designed, implemented, and administrated usability studies to enhance the customer experience♦ SME on several renditions of PLP & PDP enhancements, facet and attribute optimization

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

♦ Managed Target.com high profile Electronics category 1,800 SKU 300 Vendors.♦Created reports using relational databases to measure all business metrics and analyzed the results.♦ Foretasted revenue, margin, unit sales and inventory turns and strategized/develop forward-looking seasonal plans.♦ Analyzed sales, promotional, and volume production constraints, communicate with external vendors, and strategize inventory allocations to meet long-range product demand.♦ Analyze/monitor product pricing, markdowns, and advertising impact, and recommend appropriate adaptations.♦ Tracked market trends, identified business risks, and developed action plans to avert revenue and margin losses.♦ Analyzed inventories to surface hot trends, key items, and slow turning products.♦ Successfully converted market intelligence and industry insights into business-specific tactical plans.♦ Forecast inventory projections for vendors, communicate and maintain vendor files.♦ Interact cross company all levels of Target Corporation.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

♦ Trained and executed Planogram, and POS displays at Target corporation, 4+ years♦ Responsible for various departments at Target Stores in merchandise appearance, in-stocks, presentation, assisting the store guests 4+ Years, placed on the “Fast Track” career path♦ Manage and train employees