Katherine M. Davis

**** *********** ****

Knoxville, TN 37931

865-***-****-home

865-***-****-cell

abi56n@r.postjobfree.com

I am an experienced Buyer, Salesperson and Category Manager with a wide

variety of experience. My qualifications include the clear understanding

and ability to plan, coordinate, and control the merchandising and

procurement aspects of business pertaining to categories while also

building product lines and am proficient in analyzing, managing,

merchandising and forecasting categories as well as the follow up necessary

to monitor the sales and performance of product. I am highly effective and

experienced in negotiating and identifying/developing opportunities for

possible cost reductions and/or negotiating purchase agreements. I also

provide effective centralized buying practices while identifying and

resolving problem inventory. I have proven ability to manage staff, develop

and oversee operating budgets, and communicate with other departments,

vendors, and executive management to ensure procurement goals are met.

Employment:

Fred Meyers Jewelers-October 2009-present

. Key carrier-ensures proper opening and closing standards of

store.

. Promotion of all store events as well as training for special

jewelry events.

. Promote customer service to maintain current customers as well

as new customers.

. Ship and receive merchandise, planograms and special orders with

vendors.

Jewelry Television-August 1999-November 2008

Category Manager-May 2008-November 2008

Asst Manager-Gemstone Procurement Department-April 2004-May 2008

Personal Asst to Gemstone VP-2001-April 2004

Multi-Gem Coordinator-August 1999-2001

. Successfully managed all product lines in the Gemstone dept at

various times.

. Developed strategic suppliers and negotiated contract agreements

to reduce the number of vendors from 100+ to a group of 40 core

partners resulting in cost savings due to quantity price breaks.

. Increased margin from 49% to 56% to increase bottom line.

. Managed top 10 stone categories while increasing sales a minimum

of 15% utilizing sourcing, pricing and allocation skills.

. Guided overseas office in buying practices to build a successful

team from 15 to 70+.

. Attendance of tradeshows as well as communication with suppliers

and overseas buyers to provide complete market information to

increase sales.

. Identified opportunities for price increase based on supply as

well as merchandising opportunities to "package" product to move

multiples.

. Started the "Collectible" product group which became top 5 group

producing $25M+ annually.

. Procured product for 3 top selling days in company history, $3m,

$4.2m and $4.5m while procuring product for daily sales.

. With multiple overseas visits, built supply chain visibility

which saved up to 50% depending on the category.

. Identified product opportunities to make special 24 hour events

which became annual events spanning up to a week.

. Negotiated contracts including blanket agreements and bulk

commodity pricing agreements, and conducting production

planning. Possess knowledge of manufacturing operation gained

while visiting manufacturing facilities to recommend ways to

improve operations.

Service Merchandise-1990-May 1999

Assistant Manager-Jewelry Department 1998-1999, Diamond Consultant

1996-1998, Jewelry Receiver 1992-1996, Jewelry Sales 1990-1992

. Training and managing associates to promote sales and customer

service as well as providing training to educate both employees

and customers.

. Maintained and exceeded all monthly sales quotas.

. Promotion of all store events as well as training for special

jewelry events.

. Responsible for pulling, stocking and preparing all incoming and

outgoing jewelry shipments including store to store transfers,

home office, vendor shipments and jewelry repairs.

Education:

Pellissippi State Community College

UT-Knoxville-Accounting Major

References:

Available upon request

Contact this candidate