Sales Manager
Resume:
MICHELLE L. FREED
Phone: 201-***-****
Email: **********@*****.***
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-freed-45387343/
Experienced Buyer with focus on assortment building, financials, and team building. Product category expertise in baby products, mom products, gifts, toys, and fashion accessories. Known for customer focus. Problem Solver. Drives for results. Change agent.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Workday, R Reports / Report Builder
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
FreedM Retail Solutions, Wayne, NJ
March 2017 – Present
Retail Consultant – President
Assist brands launch programs into baby mass specialty retailers
Develop productive strategies to drive sales & margin category growth
Navigate retailer requirements & expectations
Partner to direct product assortment & packaging from a buyer’s point of view
Create assortment plans & build financial expectations
Assist in best in class merchandising tactics
Toys R Us/ Babies R Us, Wayne, NJ
October 2003 – February 2017
April 2012 – February 2017
Buyer / Feeding, Mom Accessories, & Health & Beauty Aids
Drove and managed sales volume of $225M and merchandise margin rate of 48.5%
Built & managed optimal assortment for over 1000 items based on sales & margin analysis, inventory productivity, & market trends
Determined price & promotional cadence to maximize margin & reduce transition inventory liability of 24% reduction in items
Focused on creating best in class customer shopping experience to be intuitive & educational in store with visual POP & displays and ecommerce with resource guides
Developed and maintained strong vendor partnerships with over 25 vendors
Negotiated exclusive launches, price, terms, and annual agreements
Partnered with cross functional teams to execute strategies and initiatives
Managed and developed 2 direct report team members and 3 indirect report team members to represent personal and corporate brand favorably
Worked closely with marketing to drive traffic and registry
Attended trade shows for new product, brands, and business opportunities
February 2008 – April 2012
Associate Buyer/Infant Feeding, Toddler Cups & Mealtime, Pacifiers, Bottle Accessories, & Nursery Aids
Built optimal assortment based on sales analysis, consumer insights, & market trends
Drove and managed sales volume of $175M and merchandise margin of 47.2%
Negotiated exclusive launches, price, terms, and annual agreements
Partnered with cross functional team to deliver and execute strategies and initiatives
Focused on enhancing customer shopping experience
August 2004 – February 2008
Associate Buyer / Gifts, Bibs, Bath, Diaper Bags, & American Greetings
Built optimal assortment based on sales analysis, consumer insights, & market trends
Drove and managed sales volume of $75M and merchandise margin of 50.0%
Worked closely with private brand team on private label assortment of 60%
Maintained favorable vendor relationships
Worked closely with all internal teams in executing department initiatives
Execute comparative shopping for market trends
December 2003 – August 2004
Assistant Buyer / Gifts & Infant Toys
Managed new item set up process for Gifts and Infant Toys
Run and analyze sales reports
Managed markdown, credit allowance, and advertising process
October 2003 – December 2003
Product Manager / Lifestyles Kids R Us
Developed assortment plan based on sales and needs of buyer
Negotiated price and minimum order quantity with Asia and placed buy
Shopped trends in home décor to translate into “tween”/kid’s bedroom décor
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
Enlightened Kids LLC, New York, NY
November 2001-July 2003
Accessories Merchandiser/ Coordinator
Started up and managed kids/tween accessory division
Developed assortment plans for retail customers and showroom
Worked as Account Manager for specific retailers such as Kids R Us
Negotiated price, delivery, and minimum order quantities with Asia
IMT/Infinity Accessories, New York, NY
May 1995-July 2000
Senior Merchandise Manager
Developed assortment plans & presented for retail customers & showroom
Negotiated price and determined sell price based on company cost structure, margin
Traveled to the Asia to work with factories on new product and current production
Accessory Place, Leonia, NJ
July 1991-April 1995
Senior Associate Buyer
Drove sales while optimizing gross margin dollars
Managed inventory dollars
Maintained favorable vendor relations
Assistant Merchandise Planner
Prepared and monitored department sales and inventory dollar and unit plans
Controlled store stock levels through proper allocations and transfer of merchandise
Prepared and executed department/class analysis of past trends and promotions
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Samuel J. Silberman College of Business Administration, Teaneck, NJ Cum Laude
Associate in Fashion Merchandising and Buying, Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, New York, NY Dean’s List
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