Sales Customer Service

DIANE T. HUGHS

**** ******* ***** ? Smyrna, Georgia 30080 ? 404-***-**** ?

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

SUMMARY

Entrepreneurial product/marketing manager with expertise in developing,

launching and managing innovative product lines that incorporate unique

sales channels to efficiently reach the targeted customer. Combine strong

analytical and strategic planning skills with solid creative background to

assess the market, define customer-focused products and successfully

introduce merchandise to the marketplace. A collaborative leader with the

ability to educate and influence key stakeholders in order to drive the

business, retain client relationships and positively impact the bottom-

line.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Sales Forecasting Assortment Planning

Inventory Management Promotion Execution

New Product Launches Vendor Management

Competitive Analysis Sales/Product Training

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

d.terrell ltd., Atlanta, GA 1986-present

A private-label women's fashion apparel retailer, utilizing non-traditional

distribution channels.

Founder, President

Created and executed the long and short range merchandising, marketing,

sales, pricing and distribution strategies for this innovative retailer.

Built the organizational infrastructure to include a team of up to five

regional managers, 150 sales representatives and 17 support staff.

Developed and delivered semi-annual merchandise assortment plans consisting

of 170 unique styles and 600 skus. Established and managed a vendor

network. Developed the semi-annual and weekly sales forecast. Created the

bi-annual P & L and controlled operating expenses.

. Established and grew this unique apparel business to become a multi

million business, utilizing direct in-home and e-commerce distribution

channels.

. Achieved a 20% increase in the average sale per customer in Fall, 2008, a

declining retail sales period, by creating a customer-focused, value-

driven merchandising product line and by educating sales reps and

customers on the most cost-effective methods to enhance their wardrobes.

. Enhanced the sales reps' ability to sell products by creating and

distributing detailed product look books that showcased the product-line

and demonstrated numerous wardrobing options for customers.

. Developed and facilitated comprehensive product, market trend and sales

training programs that contributed to year-over-year sales increases on

average of 30% for program participants.

. Designed weekly and semi-annual forecasting reports that improved

management's ability to project sales needs and manage inventory.

DIANE T. HUGHS Page Two

d.terrell ltd., (Continued)

. Created and successfully launched an on-line retail business, in response

to consumer trends, which generated the average sales per customer 49%

above the top 20% of small apparel on-line retailers.

. Reduced purchasing expense 7% and secured discounts averaging 15% by

analyzing the existing vendor structure and re-negotiating contracts with

preferred vendors.

. Reorganized the existing sales rep recruiting program to include: a new

commission structure, an incentive bonus program and the introduction of

a new position to the sales team, which increased new show sales 42%

within one season which contributed to 11% of the company's total sales

increase.

. Reduced shipping and distribution expense more than 40% in key areas and

improved operating efficiency by evaluating vendor invoices and

identifying and implementing cost saving solutions.

. Improved operating efficiency and customer service by collaborating with

a custom software developer to build a custom program for the order

entry, customer service, shipping processes and the inventory and sales

management systems.

. Created "d.terrell has Heart", a promotional program that incorporated a

community charitable giving component, which enhanced community relations

and generated more than $50,000 in incremental sales for participating

shows.

. Collaborated with a major vendor to create a product and marketing

program to buy school uniforms for African girls in Ghana, increasing the

previous year's proceeds 66%.

. Featured in the Wall Street Journal, The Atlanta Business Chronicle and

the UGA Alumni Magazine for successfully establishing and managing an

innovative retailing business.

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Delta Airlines, Atlanta, GA

Flight Attendant

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BS, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Birthing of Giants Entrepreneurial Executive Leadership Program MIT

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Finance Committee, Mount Vernon Baptist Church

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