Nicolette E. Norris

ac6m7z@r.postjobfree.com / 858-***-****

GLOBAL SOURCING MANAGER / PROJECT MANAGER

A strategic and deadline driven leader with extensive experience directing sourcing and production of multi-category merchandise for retail business. Negotiates costing, production space and procurement of materials, ensuring high quality standards. Directs and refines time and action calendars, vendor matrix, strategies and processes to reflect changing business needs and international trade policies. Drives global sourcing strategies and project manages cross-functional teams.

COMPETENCIES

Strategic Sourcing, Project Management, Negotiations, Budget Planning & Cost Control, Process Improvement, Team Building & Leadership

SKILLS

Microsoft Excel certified, Proficient in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Certified in Arthur Allocations 2005, Performance analysis 2005, JDA, MSC, EDW, Davinci, Assortment Polaris, Epiphany, Connect 3, Grovesite, SharePoint, PeopleSoft, Bilingual English/Spanish

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Operations Manager

Fundamental Nutrition/Ads Inc 6/2016-Present

Oversaw and Managed a magnitude of Business Operations throughout the company including the production of goods and services

Developed solutions and strategies to ease the overall process and improve the efficiency of the day to day activities

Sourced new manufacturers for the private label product which cut costs in half and saved over $200,000 per year

Aided in the development of new labels, packaging and online presence to give the brand a new look and feel for their target market

Supervised the company’s fulfillment and returns center and streamlined a new procedure to cut time and improve response to consumers

Liaison between different teams across the company to ensure everyone is up to speed and present new findings

Setting and Handling new budgets and costs to find ways to improve profitability

Researched and discovered alternative ways to market product; in turn generating higher ad sales and exceeding margin goals

Trained and Supervised new employees along with tracking staff performance and monthly evaluations

Global Sourcing Manager

Petco Animal Supplies 11/2012-6/2016

Managed Global Sourcing and Project Management of multi-category merchandise raising margin +38% and sales increases up to 46%.

Created and Implemented sourcing strategy for categories with detailed vendor matrix, cost and risk, assuring it aligns with corporate direction, market trend and vendor capabilities.

Managed and Prioritized multiple teams in cross-divisional categories ensuring successful results by reducing costs nearly 40% and reducing lead times by 18 weeks.

Partnered with Cross Functional Teams to develop new products that achieve the appropriate cost structure, meeting margins, department growth targets, coordinating the product development cycle and delivering on design intent.

Established Cost Targets and negotiate with vendors to reach departmental goals.

Negotiated extensive costing for multiple categories leveraging global cost drivers.

Managed weekly status/product reviews to track development progress, trouble shoot manufacturing processes and monitoring deadlines.

Managed milestone dates to the Sourcing Calendar to assure deadlines to development and sampling process are achieved.

Communicated all Sourcing requirements (materials, quality, cost targets, delivery) to global offices.

Maximized on Vendor Innovation to be first to market with new technology and product.

Partnered with Internal Teams to balance design needs with material efficiencies, consistently reducing costs on every major program.

Extensive Overseas Travel to communicate production needs, troubleshoot manufacturing and determine factory capabilities.

Maintained current knowledge of import restrictions by country for all assigned categories and cost structure engineering.

Vendor Analyst

Petco Animal Supplies 11/2011-11/2012

Provide weekly and ad-hoc analysis to internal and external customers, impacting business decisions to drive sales and improve profitability.

Analyzed business for Petco’s main Supplies Vendor representing 18 individual brands to distinguish risks and opportunities and make recommendations to for improvements.

Identified customer trends, market-basket profitability and merchandise affinities to develop the most effective marketing strategies and merchandise offerings through meticulous database analysis.

Responsible for ensuring reporting accuracy of brand performance by week, month and year.

Participate in weekly meetings for each department and brand with vendors, merchants and inventory teams to present business overview, promotional data, ad hoc reports, forecast sales and future offers.

Facilitated and examined changes occurring with vendors and merchant strategy to ensure business runs smoothly.

Ensure vendor compliance to Petco’s policies and procedures.

Merchandising Assistant

Guess? Inc. 10/2010-11/2011

Developed seasonal line plans that aligned with the brand’s merchandise strategy. Initiated ideas and solutions that made buying procedures efficient and ensured the stores had the right product, at the right price at the right time.

Responsible for G by Guess Allocations and Replenishments to stores.

Analyze product performance in store to develop strategies to maintain appropriate inventory levels to exceed sales goals and gross margin.

Participate in monthly buy planning and open to buy meetings.

Partner with buying and planning teams to create successful product lines by providing data identifying key concepts and items and promotional strategies and assortments that are commercially viable and provide and exciting store experience.

Responsible for understanding and identifying product trend, historical data and departmental input at all levels in order to manage in-season opportunities and risks.

Ensured all partner’s received proper and timely communication of changes with production in order to meet critical deadlines.

Merchandise and organize the creative room and samples, partnering with Design and Visual Merchandising to implement correct color stories

Brand Marketing Assistant

Neurobrands 06/2009-1/2011

Brought attention to the company by establishing the company’s personality and brand image through Media Outreach and special events. Assisted in Marketing strategies, creative, key account management and event planning.

Planned and Lead Consumer Education About Product Performance through demonstrations and sampling to increase brand awareness.

Executed Merchandise Presentations, directives and standards at special events.

Applied Knowledge of Products and Brand to develop customized marketing and sales strategies.

Ensured Highest Levels of Customer Service resulting in increased productivity and sales goals.

Partner with Leadership Regarding Media Relations, business communications and brand success stories.

Managed Accounts to review sales performance, account needs and expand market share.

Account Executive

Fantasy Lingerie 06/2009-03/2010

Maintained and grew relationships with clients and accounts to Implement creative sales strategies, analyze selling and execute trade show to increase orders.

Assistant Buyer/Retail Manager

Ronda’s Closet 06/2004-01/2011

Clothing Representative Intern

Michael Cohen’s Showroom 06/2007-2008

EDUCATION

University of Arizona

Bachelor of Science in Retailing and Consumer Sciences

Business Management Minor

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