Heidi N. Speranza

** ***** *** ****** - *********, NY 10583

917-***-****

ac6xc2@r.postjobfree.com

Merchandising professional with expertise in the direct-to-consumer channel. Success in formulating and executing strategic growth plans with an emphasis on maximizing sales and profitability through astute product placement and brand positioning. Exceptional communicator with strong cross functional capacity and proven leadership abilities relating to the following:

•Merchandising/buying • Strategic brand positioning • Ecommerce launches

•Product development • Inventory management • Real estate identification

•Liaison with design team • Planning and Allocations • P&L proficiency

Experience

Donald J Pliner, New York, NY – April 2012- April 2018

Vice President, Retail Stores

Led all aspects of Specialty Retail including the following:

Developing and executing a strategic growth plan for the Donald J Pliner retail portfolio with an emphasis on maximizing sales and profitability.

Driving merchandising and product development of women’s and men’s footwear and accessories for specialty stores and E Commerce including retail exclusive product, designing/sourcing handbags, small leather goods, and accessories.

Collaborated with Design team to formulate seasonal line plans to encompass wholesale and retail needs, share sales data and consumer feedback

Partnered with European factories to build exclusive product for the direct channels

Supervised the buying and planning teams for the direct channels

Branding, Marketing and Visual Merchandising - partnered with branding company to evolve and modernize the brand image and upgrade all marketing collateral accordingly- packaging, digital and social content and imagery, oversee ad campaign shoots including concept visualization, product selection, location, and model selection and styling.

Store Operations including full P/L responsibility, systems, recruiting and developing teams to provide a consistent, upscale and unique brand experience.

Leading the Social content team – managed the social media calendar, provided product content and oversaw copy of Social vehicles.

Formulating annual fiscal budgets with responsibility for OTB and inventory management for stores and Ecommerce and monthly reporting to Board of Directors on status of the business.

Strategic Planning and Allocations for Stores

Conceived a Real Estate strategy and directed negotiations on new deals and renewals.

Led store design process with outside architect from conceptual phase to execution.

Drove sales increases in direct channels.

Increased inventory turns leading to improved gross margins and bottom line contribution.

Camuto Group, Greenwich, CT- January 2008-April 2012

SVP, Retail Merchandising and Development

Conceived and executed a retail strategy for Vince Camuto retail stores, outlet stores and E Commerce.

Drove all aspects of retail merchandising including real estate selection and negotiation, store level profit and loss, store design, product development, marketing, visual merchandising, planning, allocations, store operations, systems and budget process,

Participated in the development of a strategic partnership with Shoebox NY, securing highly desirable retail locations and evolving the original retail strategic plan.

Launched Shoebox NY retail franchise stores internationally.

Launched Vincecamuto.com and JessicaSimpsoncollection.com

Launch Vince Camuto retail opening three specialty stores and eleven outlet stores between April 2011 and December 2011.

Nine West/Jones Apparel Group, White Plains, NY- August 1993-October 2007

EVP Merchandising, Nine West Retail Group

Responsible for all aspects of retail merchandising, marketing, product development of retail exclusive assortments, visual merchandising, planning and allocations for all Retail footwear concepts

Managed Nine West brand retail, Ecommerce and Outlets, Easy Spirit Retail, E Commerce and Outlet, Bandolino Retail and Ecommerce and Enzo Angolini Retail.

Promoted five times over a fourteen-year period.

Previous positions included:

SVP Merchandise Manager- Nine West Retail Stores

VP, Merchandise Manager- Enzo Angiolini Retail Stores

Merchandise Manager- Enzo Angiolini Retail Stores

Buyer, Nine West- West Coast Retail Stores.

Ann Taylor, New York, NY- January 1993-July 1993

Knitwear Merchandiser

Merchandise Planner- Blouses and Sweaters

Gitano Retail, New York, NY- July 1991-December 1992

Young Men’s and Children’s Buyer

Chess King, New York, NY May 1990-July 1991

Young Men’s Buyer

Bergdorf Goodman, New York, NY November 1987-April 1990

Associate Buyer- Men’s Sportswear

Assistant Buyer- Men’s Furnishings, Hermes, Charvet

Opened Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Store

Education:

State University of New York, Albany, NY

Bachelor of Arts, Communications and Business / Economics

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