Sales Manager
Resume:
TAMARA L. KEENER
*******@***.**.***
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tammykeener
PRODUCT DEVELOPER AND RETAIL BUYER
Strategic leader with 20+ years of retail experience and a unique background in product development,
brand management, and financial planning. Creative team leader with demonstrated strengths in buying,
negotiating, assortment planning and identifying key trends to deliver powerful seasonal assortments.
Proven success in maximizing revenue potential, optimizing profit and loss and utilizing merchandise
logistics to improve product assortments.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WALT DISNEY WORLD COMPANY Orlando, FL 1997-2009
Location/Brand Planner (Merchandiser), Walt Disney World Resorts 2002-2009
Developed and executed Product and Brand strategies insuring that merchandise assortments were
consistent to the target guest profile and brand image of 24 shops that generate $95M.
• Partnered with cross functional teams to develop and implement new and redesigned store openings and
layouts.
Played an integral role in the development of merchandise and company initiatives resulting in
significant improved sales and margins.
Utilized product knowledge and creative strengths to developed floorplans to align with financial
goals.
Directed visual merchandise team to insure that product strategies were executed to plan and
brand essence was maintained.
• Collaborated with Finance team to develop 5 year and annual operating plans by location and
merchandise category. Enhanced revenue in 24 shops by 15% or $12M over historic revenue.
Associate Product Developer/Buyer, Kids Fashion Apparel/Costumes 2000-2002
Travelled internationally and domestically for manufacturer sourcing and development of all aspects of a
$21M business from strategic business planning to delivery of product.
• Increased girls fashion top business $1M over prior year by introducing trend right core key items.
Redesigned Character costumes to match actual in Park walk around characters and increased
category by 22%.
Drove development flow through timely approval of art execution, lab dips, garment specs and
fabric approvals.
Partnered with technical design to approve garment fit and ensure product execution met the
design aesthetic as well as acceptable quality standards.
Managed a large domestic and international resource structure to insure the development of
brand and quality product through cost, timely negotiations and sourcing of fabrics and trims.
• Amplified awareness of current trends in marketplace through competitive shopping, trend reports and
conceptual trend presentations.
TAMARA L. KEENER Page 2
WALT DISNEY WORLD COMPANY
Associate Product Developer/Buyer, Adult & Kids Accessories 1999-2000
Managed all aspects of development for a $37M business.
• Managed specific product categories through all aspects of product development process:
conception, packaging development, cost, margin adherence, production, delivery, and sales
analysis.
• Built sunglass business from $8M to $12M business by changing product mix, successfully rolling
out in shop vendor servicing and introducing new Branded eyewear resources.
Executed merchandise line reviews giving direction, focus and pertinent information to executive
leadership.
Globally sourced styles with various factories to achieve the most viable cost while upholding
product integrity.
Merchandise Planner 1997-1999
Developed financial plans for a $27M category based on history, presentation/capacity and attendance
projections
• Directly accountable for sales, gross margin, turn, COG’s and markdown targets.
Managed bottoms–up financial plans for core items while managing top-down plans at subclass
level.
Analyzed business performance and recommended financial strategy adjustments through initial
plan development, sales, inventory and monthly re-forecasting.
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.–Warrendale, PA 1996-1997
Merchandise Planner
Accountable for financial planning of three departments generating $158M for 306 stores.
• Grew the ladies division 30% or $48M by recommending a new growth oriented approach to the
existing product strategy in the ladies knit category.
Projected and re-analyzed sales adapting to sales trends and business opportunities.
International and domestic travel for sourcing, buying and manufacturing of new product.
EXPRESS Division of The Limited, Inc. Columbus OH 1989-1996
Regional Distributor 1992-1996
Facilitated prompt flow of merchandise based on stock to sales ratios, turn, WOS, and trend.
Assistant Buyer, Woven’s 1990-1992
Developed product and planned seasonal assortments for $160M woven shirt department.
• Collaborated with partners to develop and implement a Quality Assurance program for the company.
Communicated with overseas partners to negotiate pricing and production capacity to insure on time
deliveries for seasonal floorsets.
Minimized delivery slides and cancellations within the department through communications with vendors
highlighting any issues around delivery dates, order commitments, size breaks and possible quality
issues.
Sales Manager 1989-1990
Managed a $2 million business; coached and trained 50 employees; exceeded sales goals.
TAMARA L. KEENER Page 3
LERNER---Division of the Limited, Inc. New York, NY and San Francisco, CA 1986-1989
Assistant Buyer, Sweaters 1988-1989
Assisted in all aspects of buying, assorting, analyzing and negotiating for a $77M business.
Sales Manager 1986-1988
Managed 30 union employees; consistently exceeded sales goals for a $1M business.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Fashion Merchandising
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
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