Catgory Management, Leadership, Negotiating, Problem Solving

Stephanie Peisert

**W*** Preston Circle, Geneva, IL 60134 C: 517-***-**** ********@*****.***

Corporate Retail Executive

Proficient Executive with 13 years of combined leadership, operations, and buying experience in grocery retail. Results-focused and self-motivated Buying Director with over six years of national buying experience of more than 15 commodities. Experienced with building sustainable relationships with both domestic and international suppliers. Motivating and personable leader who develops successful teams through proper training, coaching, and communication. Strategic, proactive, and detail-oriented professional ready to work in a fast paced environment and achieve results.

Skills

Team Building, Training & Leadership

Negotiations

Category Management

Strategic Partnerships

Market Analysis (IRI, Kantar)

Project Management

Product Development & Rollout

Quality Management

Analytical Problem Solving

Profitability & Cost Analysis

Strategic Planning & Forecasting

Communication

Professional Experience

Corporate Buying Director, 01/2012 to 05/2018

ALDI Inc. Corporate Headquarters – Batavia, IL

Prepares buying decisions that promote category growth and develop the sales and profitability of the business taking into account market, qualitative, and commercial factors. Makes proposals on buying prices on all lines, the listing and delisting of suppliers, contract quantities and duration. Recommends range trials that optimize sales growth and profitability. Recommends retail price changes. Liaises with international buying teams as appropriate. Liaises with divisional Directors in each of the 24 divisions (distribution centers) to ensure proper product supply. Carries out market place, competitor, and price research. Carries out visits to supplier facilities and trade fairs. Negotiates directly with suppliers to achieve the best price for the agreed quality. Arranges and participates in quality control sampling sessions. Decides the design and packaging of product and cases. Decides on the assortment and variety of in and out special buy items.

Key Achievements:

Revamped the paper commodity in 2018 to better align and compete with national brands and competition. New items will generate an additional $135M in sales each year.

Saved over $10M during a 2017 cost reduction initiative (Company total was $120M)

Developed and rolled out new ALDI baby line 'Little Journey' in July 2016. This involved created purchasing orders and contracts as well as working with Operations, Warehousing, and Purchasing to identify supply issues.

Liaised with marketing and advertising departments to align 'Little Journey' rollout and key initiatives with proper communication to the customers

Increased Special Buy items and sales over 200% through strategic planning and product innovation and development

Developed and rolled out Fruit Squeezies which won the 2014 Product of the Year Award

Developed a Quality Assurance process for non-food core range products

Researched and analyzed WIC implementation for the Office of the Presidents and CEO

Developed, coordinated and implemented the seasonal item process within the buying department and reported key metrics back to the Vice Presidents, the Office of the Presidents, and the CEO

Over a six year period, reported to six different Group Buying Directors, led 12 direct reports, and successfully managed over 15 commodities including: Canned Fruit, Applesauce, Canned Vegetables, Canned Beans, Canned Tomatoes, Pickles, Olives, Spices, Paper Towel, Bath Tissue, Facial Tissue, Health & Beauty, Detergents, Cleaners, Tableware, Hygiene, Baby (formula, food, snacks, diapers, wipes)

District Manager, 06/2005 to 12/2011

ALDI – Webberville, MI

Communicates job responsibilities and performance expectations to store management; manages and develops store management. Establishes appropriate store staffing levels. Recruits, selects, promotes, manages, develops, and terminates shift managers and store associates. Oversees and manages the training and development of store personnel by store management. Liaises between store management and upper management to facilitate an understanding of company goals, objectives, and opportunities for improvement. Ensures that store personnel comply with the company's customer satisfaction guidelines. Oversees and manages the appropriate resolutions of operational customer concerns by store management. Ensures that store management monitors store conditions, equipment, and employee performance to maintain a safe environment for employees, customers, and vendors. Oversees and manages the achievement of store payroll budgets and store total loss results; ensures that results are achieved within the district budget. Review and analyzes store personnel's adherence to inventory procedures, product handling guidelines, and cash control policies in order to minimize loss. Approves store expenditures.

Key Achievements:

Consistently met or exceeded sales, loss, and inventory goals

Developed training tool to evaluate new shift managers

Turned several 'problem stores' around by evaluating, strategizing, and implementing a plan of action

Trained management personnel in merchandising Special Buys to maximize sales

Promoted to Director of Corporate Buying in December 2011

Manager, 04/2003 to 10/2004

Korner Kitchen – Lansing, MI

Responsible for hiring wait and kitchen staff. Scheduled staff according to peak times and banquet events. Revamped entire menu to help generate more customer traffic and sales. Ensured proper cleanliness throughout restaurant to meet inspection standards. Ordered food and supplies for restaurant and catering events. Scheduled, coordinated, and successfully executed catering events of up to 250 people.

Education & Credentials

Bachelor of Arts: Supply Chain Management, 2005

Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI

Professional Credentials:

Leadership Development Program, Decision Wise, 2017

Scotwork Advancing Negotiation Skills Course, 2013, 2015

The GAP Negotiation Workshop, 2012

Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Course, 2010

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