GREG HATHAWAY

**** ***** ******, ******** *****, WI 54729

Cell: 715-***-****

ace0p9@r.postjobfree.com

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/greg-hathaway/15/1b/394/

CAREER FOCUS

Buyer with over 15 years purchasing experience and a proven record of consistently surpassing projected sales and margin

goals. Looking for opportunity to bring my initiative and self-starter skills for all aspects of category management

including product selection, advertising, margins, and inventory to maximize turns and GMROI in a professional team

oriented environment.

SUMMARY OF SKILLS

Merchandising Strategies Tough and Fair Negotiations

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Category Management Extensive Product Development

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Creative Problem Solving Global and Domestic Sourcing

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Vendor Development Multi-Million Dollar Budget Management

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Team Focus and Motivation

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Increased revenue a single category over 30%. Drove overall sales increase from $190 million to $245 million in 3 years.

Transitioned category from domestic to import program resulting in a $600,000 savings in the cost of goods annually.

Introduced new item that would become my number 1 SKU in sales dollars and unit sales.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MENARDS INC.

Eau Claire, WI

Buyer 02/2010 to 05/2014

Seasonal Hardware:

Lawn and Garden.

Outdoor Recreation.

Manage a team consisting of an Associate Buyer, 3 Analysts, 2 Merchandise Planners and an Office Assistant.

•

Product selection, ordering, distribution, merchandising, advertising, and inventory of both private label and

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national brands.

Establish ongoing relationships with vendors and trading partners.

•

Negotiate best pricing and contract terms.

•

Open to Buy Category Reviews and item shootouts.

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Create volume and promotional buys.

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Closely monitor sales, product flow, inventory dollars and GMROI .

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Advertising from item selection to pricing including copy, editing and artwork.

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Insure product quality and agreed upon specs.

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Manage import and domestic vendors to insure compliance with contract terms and shipping.

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Negotiate with Vendors on all cost, terms, discounts, exclusivity, and delivery at the item level.

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Develop methods for analyzing sales and results of previous buying strategies and make tactical adjustments to

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leverage opportunities for increased profitability.

Identify growth, maintain and down trending styles and brands with the objective of improving productivity of

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total product area.

Maximize markdown dollars, understand seasonality and create a pricing/markdown strategy.

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Perform market analysis, competitive shop and analyze sales trends to keep abreast of current trends.

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Associate Buyer 08/2007 to 02/2010

Seasonal Plumbing:

Heating and Accessories, Grills, Patio and Outdoor Leisure, and Clothing

Work closely with Buyer, Analyst and Merchandise Planners.

•

Product selection, ordering, distribution, merchandising, advertising, and inventory of both private label and

•

national brands.

Establish ongoing relationships with Vendors and trading partners.

•

Negotiate best pricing and contract terms.

•

Open to Buy Category Review and item shootouts.

•

Create volume and promotional buys.

•

Closely monitor sales, product flow, inventory dollars and GMROI.

•

Advertising from item selection to pricing including copy editing and artwork.

•

Insure product quality and agreed upon specs.

•

Manage import and domestic vendors to insure compliance with contract terms and shipping.

•

GRECON DIGITIAL GROUP

Muncie, IN

Buyer 02/2000 to 07/2007

Telecommunications:

Contract installations company for Dish Network, DirecTV, Circuit City and Omnicity Broadband Internet and

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accessories.

Product selection including: tools, cable and wire, components, and connectors, brackets and fixtures.

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Inventory management, projections, and equipment maintenance.

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Supervised all installations through to completion.

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ALLIANCE MORTGAGE CORPORATION

Muncie, IN

Vice President Sales 05/1996 to 02/2000

Supervised staff of 12 Loan Originators and 20 telemarketers.

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Created Loan Officer Training Manual and program.

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Oversaw lead procurement.

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Evaluate lender programs and maintain lender relationships.

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Insure legal compliance.

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Created and implemented training program.

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Enforced sales goals and minimums.

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EDUCATION

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Ball State University, Muncie, IN

REFERENCES

Jared Atkinson

Director of Sales

Global Harvest Foods

ace0p9@r.postjobfree.com

Ph. 503-***-****

“Greg is one of the most talented merchants I have worked with. He is genuinely interested in items, and

growing sales. In my time working with him he was focused on merchandising as well as bringing relevant

items to market. He gives honest feedback that benefits his company and is fair to work with when problems

arise. He wasn't afraid to pass along bad news, but he also was happy to give honest assessments at what we

could have done better. All in all - a tremendous merchant.”

Jody Erson

VP of Sales

Vertex International

ace0p9@r.postjobfree.com

Ph. 763-***-**** ext.222

“Greg is very professional buyer that knows his stuff. He is easy to work with and understands the challenges

both the retailer and the manufacturers deal with. He is open to new ideas and welcomes innovation. When

problems arise he has been reasonable and realistic while working on solutions. Overall a great buyer to work

with.”

Jason Farber

Vice President

GSC Technologies Group & Future Beach Leisure

ace0p9@r.postjobfree.com

Ph. 450-***-****

“I have had the pleasure of working with Greg on developing successful programs at Menards over the past 2

years. He is simply a superb merchant with strong buying experience. His style encourages suppliers to bring

out their best offers, and develop winning programs.”

Amy Lister

National Account Manager

Flexon Hose

ace0p9@r.postjobfree.com

Ph. 317-***-****

“I've had the pleasure of working with Greg while I was at two separate companies. Greg is able to see the big

picture of a category without losing sight of the small details of individual items. He implements corporate

objectives while still inserting his own bit of personality - professional and personable!”

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