Sales Manager
Resume:
Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
Kim Heslin
Objective A challenging position that will take full advantage of my experience,
training and acquired skills in Retail Buying, Sales and Merchandising to
positively influence company operations, performance and profitability.
Experience March 2007 – October 2008 Linens N Things Clifton, NJ
Buyer (March 2007 – October 2008)
Develop and execute merchandise strategies consistent with
company’s overall direction for Decorative Hardware, Functional
Hardware and Blinds & Shades $64M in volume.
Created merchandising plans and direction through
understanding of competition and industry and effectively
communicated strategy to organization: Replenishment, Space
Planning, Advertising, Store Ops and upper management.
Created core assortment based on good, better, best strategy
and balancing with key item focus.
Developed merchandising packaging and presentation
techniques that enhanced customer knowledge and productivity.
Negotiated reduction in case pack minimums, with 80% of
vendor participation, to ensure effective and productive stock
levels as well as proper appropriation of inventory dollars.
Managed vendor performance through effective negotiation and
communication to increase margin by 1% and ensure optimal
supply chain operations.
W ork with Merchandise Analyst to ensure appropriate levels of
inventory, forecast needs of business based on current trend
and knowledge of future events to impact business.
W ork with Merchandise Planner to analyze sales, stock and all
profit components by class and department to manage business
trends and maximize opportunities.
Develop and communicate visual presentation guidelines for the
stores through thorough and actionable planograms and on
going direction.
July 2004 – November 2006 Party City Rockaway, NJ
Merchandise Mgr (July 2004 – November 2006)
Develop and execute merchandise strategies consistent with
company’s overall direction for Gift Wrap, Stationary, Cameras,
Greeting Cards, Custom Invitations, and Floor Racks totaling
$42M in volume.
W ork with Planning and Allocation to develop sales, inventory
and margin goals by department and class, including specific
buy plans to help get best possible distribution to stores.
W ork with vendors to develop exciting and cohesive assortments
that are competitively priced to achieve established sales and
margin goals.
Communicate assortment strategies and all pertinent information
to Stores and Franchisees (507); including new product, exit and
transition strategies, buy plans and ongoing updates.
W ork with Visual Merchandising to develop planograms that
present product in an exciting and understandable way to the
customer, including product enhancing fixtures, packaging and
signage.
Develop promotional strategies for marketing supplements.
Coordinate with Logistics team to develop shipping strategies
and opportunities for bottom line margin improvement.
Competitive shop to identify new trends and ensure a strong
pricing strategy.
September 2001 – July 2004 Pierre Deux Secaucus, NJ
Buyer (September 2001 – July 2004)
Expanded assortments for Tabletop, Home Decorative,
Seasonal, and Lighting by means of exclusivity of merchandise,
product development and introducing new vendors, increasing
business by 31%.
Successful development of a lamp program with exclusive Pierre
Deux designs which increased volume by 52%.
Developed successful LCB Barware shops which increased
business by 38%.
Increased catalog volume by 44% by maximizing selling space
and density; and by working with stylists and photographers for
product presentation.
Assisted in managing retail expansion of two additional stores
for 2002 and two in 2003.
Conducted on-going review of pricing strategies to recommend
revisions to senior management. Implemented changes when
necessary.
Developed and implemented a product development procedure
to manage process in a more efficient and thorough way.
Traveled Domestic, European and Asian Markets.
May 1997 – September 2001 Gump’s By Mail Weehawken, NJ
Buyer (November 1999 – September 2001)
Expanded categories of Tabletop, Collectibles, Furniture, Wall,
Rugs, Lamps, and Seasonal by means of exclusivity of
merchandise, product development and introducing new
vendors.
Directed layout designs to utilize minimum space with maximum
profits. Improved designs created increased dollars per square
inch.
Negotiated vendor returns that successfully decreased stock
levels to meet plan.
Traveled Domestic and European Markets.
Associate Buyer (March 1998 – November 1999)
Increased Collectibles business by 12% by creating Asian theme
product within the category that was exclusively Gump’s.
Negotiated artist signings.
Negotiated vendor returns and discounts.
W orked the Dallas, Atlanta, and High Point Markets.
Implemented training course for new recruits speeding
profitability.
Assistant Buyer (May 1997- March 1998)
Assisted in market trips and market assessment for Decorative
Accessories, Seasonal, Decorative Textiles, Bedding, Bath and
Collectibles.
Helped create merchandising and marketing strategies to elicit
new customers.
Coordinated sample and product specification sheets for
photography.
Redesigned product specification form for total vendor
compliance, which resulted in timely completion of copy to meet
budget.
Designed and maintained line list of merchandise for easy
tracking and ordering.
Proofed and corrected copy to eliminate errors in catalog.
October 1992 – May 1997 Network Sales &Marketing Parsippany, NJ
Assistant Sales Coordinator
June 1991 – September 1992 The Children’s Place Pine Brook, NJ
Product Manager (August 1991 – September 1992)
Assistant Buyer (June 1991 – August 1991)
June 1989 – June1991 Macy’s New York, NY
Assistant Buyer (November 1990 – to June 1991) Young Collectors
Department $28M.
Department Manager (June 1989 – November 1990) Liz Claiborne &
Expressions Department.
Squad Training (June 1989).
Education B.A. Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ GPA 3.4
(1996)
A.A. Buying and Merchandising, Fashion Institute of Technology, New
York, NY GPA 3.7 (1988)
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