Manager Project

Karen J. Finn

[pic]**** Whispering Trail* Atlanta, GA * 30328

954-***-**** Cellular

**********@*****.***

April 1, 2010

Dear Hiring Manager:

With more than 12 years of successful retail merchandising and marketing

experience I've helped companies develop and execute marketing and visual

merchandising strategies that drive overall business goals; I would

appreciate speaking with you to about the Director of Visual Merchandising

position in your organization.

As you are aware marketing and merchandising requires a broad-based

knowledge of sales, internet and ecommerce initiatives, advertising,

promotions, public relations, and administrative processes. My resume

provides a glimpse of my leadership and creative project management skills,

and I am confident that I can duplicate my success to help assist your

company achieve and sustain greater levels of performance.

Most recently, I have been working as a Sr. Manager promoted to Director on

the In Store Presentation team for Wal-Mart. For the two past years I have

helped execute design strategies that have assisted the electronics and toy

department gain overall market shares in video games, HDTV, BluRay,

computers and portable accessories. I collaborated with suppliers such as;

Sony, Fox Studios, Disney Studios, Warner, Nintendo, Apple, HP and Dell in

developing brand strategies and effectively managed the full scope of each

project to successful completion. I approved all creative, design, color

schemes and copy concepts for signing, and worked closely with third party

agencies to ensure designs were on brand and supported overall strategy.

While supporting the "Project Impact" corporate strategy I redesigned the

electronics and toy departments and my work is highlighted in their

National ad campaign.

My academic background coupled with my management experience makes me a

unique candidate for a Director of Visual Merchandising position.

If you would like to discuss my qualifications in further detail please

feel free to contact me at the above referenced phone or email address.

Sincerely,

Karen J. Finn

Karen J. Finn

[pic]6503 Whispering Trail* Atlanta, GA * 30328

954-***-**** Cellular

**********@*****.***

Marketing Retail Management Summary

. Proven knowledge of best practices in Visual Merchandising and/or Store

Planning.

. Strong understanding of effective customer-centered retail environmental

design.

. Focused competitive analysis skills to effectively market products

against competitors.

. Driven by new and emerging trends to improve company and store-level

profitability.

. Excellent communication skills to optimize internal and partner business

opportunities.

. Detail-oriented, multi-tasker, and thorough project management skills to

meet and exceed expectations on-time and under budget.

. Strong academic background in Art & Design, Business & Finance.

. Ability to think logically, critically and analytically to achieve

optimal results.

[pic]

Career Highlights

Wal-Mart Corporate, Bentonville, AR (Specializing in Visual Merchandising)

2007-2009

Senior Manager / Director - Electronics Merchandising:

. Developed effective product presentation for the electronics department

to gain overall market shares in video games, HDTV, BluRay, computers and

portable accessories.

. Contributed to company and store level profitability by creating an

inviting, visually appealing environment to target markets.

. Collaborated with suppliers such as; Sony, Fox Studios, Disney Studios,

Warner, Nintendo, Apple, HP and Dell to develop brand strategies.

Effectively managed the full scope of each project to successful

completion.

. Approved all creative, design, color schemes and copy concepts for

signing, and worked closely with third party agencies to ensure designs

were on brand and supported overall strategy.

. Redesigned the electronics and toy departments' adjacencies, customer

flow and internal marketing. Work is highlighted in the Wal-Mart National

ad campaign.

. Identified areas of opportunity and made recommendations that supported

both the presentation and the business goals.

. Researched both competitors and aspiration of retailers' merchandising

direction including marketing, packaging, fixtures and in-store

communication.

. Ensured consistency in messaging, color, copy, and design principals

. Developed strong partnerships with internal groups, such as Accounts

Payable, Merchandising, Operations and Marketing, to collaborate on

customer insights and measure successes through ROI analysis

Complete Marketing Strategies, Miami, Florida (Specializing in

Merchandising in-store brands) 2003-2006

Managing Director of Merchandising & Marketing:

. Gathered Customer Insights and build strategy for clients.

. Communicated product presentation, key product messages and merchandising

changes via plan-o-grams, presentation, directives/guidelines and

seasonal bulletins.

. Contributed to the store profitability by creating an inviting, visually

appealing environment for our customer's shopping pleasure; including

signage, visuals, window graphics and perimeter graphics.

. Communicated merchant strategies to optimize business opportunities with

regards to location, space adjacencies and presentation.

. Identified areas of opportunity in the assortment and made

recommendations that optimized both the presentation and the business

goals.

. Possessed strong knowledge of both competitors and aspiration of

retailers' merchandising direction including packaging, fixturing and in-

store communication

Karen J. Finn, page two

[pic]6503 Whispering Trail* Atlanta, GA * 30328

954-***-**** Cellular

**********@*****.***

Colchester Holdings, Colchester, NY (Specializing in Marketing /planning)

2000-2002

Senior Project Manager/ Marketing:

. Created and executed project work plans and advised when appropriate to

meet changing needs and requirements.

. Managed day to day operational aspects of project and scope.

. Collaborated with the company VP to continually follow up with clients to

optimize the presentation of product and the business goal.

. Negotiated multi-million dollar contracts with Federal and State

governments.

. Developed brochures of products and strong relationships with clients.

Block Buster Incorporated, Brunswick, NJ(Specializing in Merchandising in-

store brands)1997-2000

Manager Store Merchandising:

. Developed the process to create clear and effective store communication.

. Strongly participated in new store and concept store layout.

. Reviewed agency store design efforts and provided effective feedback.

. Collaborated with store planning to continually refine adjacencies, floor

plans and product presentation tools that optimized both the presentation

and the business goals.

. Worked with Store Planning to make sure all new fixtures are ordered and

follow through until receipt.

. Partnered with store operators to ensure communication and consistency

with product presentation and brand messaging.

The Walt Disney Company, Brunswick, NJ (Management) 1994-1995

Asst Store Manager:

. Excellent customer service skills and management of Cast members.

. Made effective decisions by analyzing information and considering

priorities.

. Completed performance appraisals, gave feedback, and developed employees.

. Demonstrated ability to coach and develop people. Helped team members set

and attain development goals

[pic]

Education/Professional Development

SUNY College at Oneonta NY, BA Arts 3.6 GPA, Dean's List

Keiser College, Sarasota FL, 4.0 GPA, Dean's List

Dale Carnegie, Human Relations Award and Outstanding Performance Award

Up and Coming Talent, Bentonville, AR - Outstand Achievement Award

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