Sales Product Development

Joseph J. Cheslik

**** ********** **.

Worthington, OH 43085

Email: ********@*****.***

phone 614-***-****

cell 614-***-****

Profile

A professional career spanning over fifteen years of success in Product

Development, Retail Merchandising, Global Sourcing, Management and Store

Operations in a variety of retail environments.

Experience and Qualifications

. Extensive experience in Private label product development, sourcing,

packaging and production

. Excellent Retail Merchant with much experience in all aspects of

Retail Buying and Merchandising

. Product Development and merchandising experience in Home D cor, Gifts,

Tabletop, Home Textiles, Seasonal, Pet Accessories and other

categories

. Superior negotiation and vendor relationship skills with domestic and

overseas suppliers

. Astute analytical and problem solving qualifications. Skilled in

Retail Math

. Expert in assortment planning and improvement for domestic and

imported product

. Experienced in financial planning, inventory control and allocation

functions

. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe CS3, AS-400, PeopleSoft

and others

Employment History and Accomplishments

International Merchandise Sources Columbus, OH

October 2007 to present

VP Sales and Product Development

. Product Development, Design, Sourcing and National Accounts Manager

for Fla. based importer

. Responsible for sales performance of 8 commissioned Sales Reps

nationwide

. Extensive overseas travel to work with suppliers for development and

sourcing of both private label and open market goods for US retailers.

. Work as liaison with both domestic and overseas offices to coordinate

successful implementation of merchandise imports

. Attend both foreign and domestic trade shows and markets to source new

product categories and expand on existing businesses

The Longaberger Company Newark,

OH November 2006 to July, 2007

Product Development and Global Sourcing-Tabletop and Gifts

. Product Development, Foreign Sourcing and Cost Negotiation for Private

Label US retailer.

. Worked closely with QA department and overseas suppliers to improve

and streamline processes and insure receipt of product meeting strict

quality guidelines

. Considerable overseas travel

. Increased IMU .9% and brought $500K+ in additional cost savings to

product category

. Instituted several new programs to streamline product development

process

. Left due to corporate downsize

Christmas Tree Shops South Yarmouth, MA

May, 2005-July, 2006

Senior Merchant-Pets, Toys, Infants, Sporting Goods

Extensive overseas development of new product including inception,

design, packaging and logistics

Purchased domestic and imported regular line and closeout merchandise

for a chain of discount retail stores

Achieved highest sales and margin increase in the company for 2005 and

YTD 2006

. Left due to corporate restructuring

K's Merchandise Mart Decatur, IL

June, 2004-May, 2005

Senior Buyer-Closeout Division

. Secured Off Price merchandise in all product categories for 21 store

chain department stores

. Experience in furniture, housewares, sporting goods, consumer

electronics, infant furniture and accessories, gifts, lamps, hardware

. Maintained 42% gross margin against company average of 34%

. Left due to company closure

JJC National Consulting Company Palm Harbor, FL

March, 2002-October, 2004

Product Development and Global Sourcing-Owner

Product design and development for several domestic importers of home

textile products

. Extensive overseas sourcing in Home Textile, Gift, Tabletop and

Housewares Products

. Also owned Independent video store which was later rated locally as

best video store in Tampa Bay, and nationally as one of the 10 best

video stores in the South

Big Lots Inc. Columbus, OH

July, 1995-February, 2002

Senior Merchant-Soft Home, Furniture, Crafts

. Procured closeout and developed product in Home Textiles, Rugs,

Crafts, Seasonal, Lamps, KD Furniture for 1100+ discount store chain

. Considerable Private Label design, development and sourcing experience

. Earned bonus 4 of 7 years for sales and gross margin performance

. Recognized as Buyer of the Month 14 times

Boscov's Department Stores Reading, PA

March, 1990-July, 1995

Buyer: Soft Home

. Bought in line and closeouts in Tablelinens, Decorative Bedding and

Accessories for 30 store chain

. Earned bonus 3 of 5 years for sales and gross margin performance

. Won numerous contests for sales performance

Annual Sales Volume: $7.5M

Joseph Horne Company Pittsburgh, PA

June, 1984-March, 1990

Buyer: Soft Home

. Bought Basic Bedding, Quilts and Closet Shop for 13 store high end

department store chain

. Recognized as Buyer of the Month 3 times

. Annual Sales Volume: $3.0M

Education

14 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH

Degreed

15 AAB in Business

. Major: Advertising and Public Relations

. Overall GPA: 3.64

. Member Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Student Government

References

Contact information for former G.M.M.'s and industry references will be

furnished upon request

Contact this candidate