Professional Experience

Lester’s, Inc. - Brooklyn, NY

Senior Buyer- Boys/Young Men’s Clothing and Accessories 2000-2018

Headed all facets of Buying: Managing Open to Buy, Assortment Planning, Allocations, Markdowns, and Transfers.

Maintained an average annual inventory of $12MM for five stores in Tri-State area

Aligned with Planner and DMM in developing Pre-Season Budgets to achieve Sales, Gross Margin and Inventory goals. Coordinated Post-Season hindsight reporting.

Managed a direct report/ assistant buyer. Supervised daily priorities and long term projects.

Analyzed sales and inventory weekly. Participated in retail sales to gain valuable customer insight and more profitable merchandise assortments.

Developed a Young Men’s strategy from concept to execution that drove sales an additional 20%.

Established strong vendor relationships. Negotiated better terms, discounts, off-price buys, dating and deliveries resulting in greater gross margin dollars.

Collaborated with key vendors to develop exclusive products added to merchandise assortments generating an increase in IMU by 10-15%. Knowledge of fit and fabric.

Partnered closely with store and department managers to address customer needs. Conducted trend meetings at store locations, imparting valuable product knowledge.

Shopped the market and competition. Attended local trade shows.

Acted as marketing and special events advisor.

Key Brands- Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, Alternative Apparel, Champion, Retro Brand, Vince, Vineyard Vines, Dl 1961, Joes Jeans, A.G. Jeans, Hudson Jeans, Vintage Havana, Billabong, Volcom, Quiksilver, Hurley

Buyer/Manager- Boys 4-20 Clothing and Accessories 1994-2000

Sales Associate- Boys 4-20 Department 1992-1994

Tantrums Children’s Clothing- Brooklyn, NY

Buyer/Owner/Operator 1985-1992

Joyce Leslie Shops-Carlstadt, NJ

Buyer- Ladies Outerwear and Accessories 1983-1985

Barbara Moss Stores-Secaucus, NJ

Buyer-Ladies Outerwear 1975-1981

Education

Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, NY)

Associate of Arts, Fashion Buying and Merchandizing

Staten Island Community College, CUNY (Staten Island, NY)

Associate of Liberal Arts

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