ROBERT C.WILSON, JR.
***** *** ***** ****** ? Bradenton, FL 34212 ? C:785-***-****
E-MAIL: acodnx@r.postjobfree.com
PROFILE
Performance driven purchasing professional with retail experience in brick
and mortar as well as online retail. Strong business acumen in buying,
merchandise manager, and store management having never failed to make and
in most cases far exceed sales and financial plans. Turnaround specialist
taking underperforming businesses and making them into a top five
performer.
Exceptional financial performance of Merchandise management
volumes to 400M
Domestic/International Sourcing Vendor relations
Inventory management Store layout experience
Advertising planning and co-op Branded and unbranded buying experience
procurement
Multi store buying up to 5000 stores Product development
Excel, Microsoft Word Online retail management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Independent Business Consultant, Bradenton, Florida 2012 - Present
Independent Consultant contracted to review business practices and to make
them more profitable and efficient
Consultant
Responsible for reviewing business practices and find efficiencies that
result in better profits and more effective ways of conducting business. I
also review to make sure that a business is in full compliance with laws
and regulations to avoid costly penalties. In the last year, my clients
have saved over 3.2 million dollars.
BEALLS OUTLET STORES, Bradenton, Florida 2009 - 2012
Regional discount chain with 468 stores in 16 states located in the
Southeast region
Buyer, Domestics
Responsible for all aspects of purchasing, advertising, assortment
selection and partnering with planning and distribution team for 468 stores
in the Southern portion of the United States. I had full responsibility
for an $18M department in annual volume
. Completed fiscal 2011 at the end of July by beating sales plan by
7.9% with a 1.1% lower inventory than plan and a 6.3% improvement in
gross margin dollars. This was one of the top four performances in the
entire company with 3 awards for buyer of the month.
. Brought brands to the company that had refused to sell an off price
retailer.
BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY, Burlington, NJ 2007 - 2009
National off Priced Chain with 475 stores in 38 states
Buyer, Domestics
Responsible for all aspects of purchasing, advertising, assortment
selection and partnering with distribution team for 475 stores in 38 states
and Puerto Rico. I had full responsibility
for a $21M department in annual volume.
. Improved sales over plan by 4.2% and reduced inventory to improve
turn.
. Created a beach towel department that went from 67K in the year prior
to my arrival to 1.1 million in sales two years later
Robert C. Wilson, Jr. Page Two
PAMIDA STORES LLC., Omaha, Nebraska 2005 - 2007
Regional discount chain with 224 stores in 16 states located in the upper
Midwest region
Buyer, Domestics
Responsible for all aspects of purchasing, advertising, assortment
selection and store presentation direction for 224 stores. Total volume
responsibility is $19M
PAYLESS SHOE SOURCE, Topeka, Kansas 2003 - 2004
Leading retailer of footwear products for United States and 13 countries in
Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands
Buyer, Ladies Dress Shoes
Responsible for all aspects of purchasing, advertising, assortment
selection and partnering with planning and distribution team for 4800
stores in both the domestic market as well as for 14 other countries. I
had full responsibility for a $400M department.
. Increased dyeable shoe sales 53.81% and women's dress shoe sales
6.38% over plan. Accomplished by closely monitoring fashion trends,
utilizing effective negotiation skills with vendors, and revising the
merchandise mix to better fit the customers' needs.
. Sourced and imported product from China and Brazil. Importing was
100% of the total departmental mix.
AMMAR'S INC. (dba MAGIC Mart Stores), Bluefield, Virginia 1997 - 2003
Regional Discount Chain - Branded apparel and footwear
Divisional Merchandise Manager, (Ladies, Men's, and Children's Apparel /
Lingerie / Shoes / Domestics/ Accessories)
Responsible for purchasing, advertising, distribution and assortment
selection for seven departments. Total division volume was $42.2M.
. Increased gross margin by 1.1% over the year prior, a significant
achievement based upon a poor retail economic environment. Achieved by
incorporating Nike, Levi, Sag Harbor, Alfred Dunner, Mudd, and L.E.I.
brands in a discount store setting.
. Changed departmental mix to a branded assortment, allowing buying
staff to pursue a more desirable and competitive assortment for the
customer. Achieved a 29% increase in sales during first year as a
merchandise manager, leading to record sales year in four consecutive
years.
HILLS DEPARTMENT STORE, Charleston, West Virginia 1994 - 1997
Regional discount store chain
Manager
Responsible for merchandising, operations, payroll control, and expense
control with an annual volume of $13.5M
. Increased total store volume from $10.2M to $12.8M in two years by
improving customer service and more timely stock to floor programs.
Robert C. Wilson, Jr. Page Three
MONTGOMERY WARD, Charleston, West Virginia 1990 - 1994
Mid tier department store chain
Manager / Operations Manager
Responsible for all aspects of budgeting, expense control, merchandising,
and planning with an annual volume of $18M.
. Increased total store volume from 15.4 million dollars to 18 million
by utilizing better customer service procedure, worked towards getting
improved inventory levels to support additional business opportunities,
and implemented more customer service friendly scheduling to insure
proper staffing during key selling times of the day.
HECKS, Charleston, West Virginia 1983 - 1990
Regional Discount Chain with 145 stores
Buyer, Housewares & Giftware/Toys & Sporting Goods May 1985 - January 1990
Responsible for planning, purchasing, planograming (the rack layout of
product) and advertising planning of the department with annual volume of
$600M.
. Achieved 272% over plan in calendar year 1989, while the company was
in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Accomplished through positive vendor
negotiations, improving the product mix to more closely align with the
customers' desires, and implemented a layout change to make department
more shopping friendly.
Assistant Manager June 1984 - May 1985
All aspects of merchandising, payroll, and expense control related to
business ranging from $3-6M in annual volume.
Held various hourly positions in first year with the company.
EDUCATION
West Virginia State College, Institute, West Virginia, 1983 - 1985
Attended and completed 72 hours towards a business management degree
VOLUNTEER WORK
Treasurer Parent Involvement Committee Imagine Charter School
President of Imagine School North Manatee and Lakewood Ranch Campuses
School Governance Board
Bible Quiz Team Coach, Sunday school Teacher, and Drummer for Journey
Assembly of God