Catagorey Manager/General Merchandise Manager/Buyer/Negotiating

JAMES F. GERACI

** ***** **** **.● Winthrop MA 02152 ● Phone: 617-***-**** ● *********@*****.***

PROFILE

Results oriented, experienced Director of Merchandise with a proven history of improving sales, gross margin and overall category efficiencies. Superior analytical ability; strong organizational skills and capacity to efficiently manage multiple teams in a fast paced environment.

Experience Over 25 years in the Retail Merchandise field with a proven track record of success and promotion through driving results in the areas of Buying, Planning, and General Merchandise Management

Management Skills Redefined the entire buying strategy by coaching and mentoring buying/allocating teams creating a more cohesive merchandising group and driving sales

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

City Sports, Boston, MA (2006-2015)

Category Manager Equipment 2012-present

Oversee 25 departments for $25M in sales, maintain margin, reduce inventory, and follow open to buy plans, projected sales.

Responsible for buying 6 departments, electronics, swim, hydration, running, cycling and yoga $9M in sales

Responsibilities include working with marketing, visual and store operations to maximize productivity and sales

Worked with vendor to secure better terms, discounts and coop money.

Managed 2 buyer in day to day buying, training, negotiations, range selection, strategies and OTB

Worked with planning team and allocation team to insure that we were on plan and that the stores had the right product at the right time.

Director of Merchandise/Planning 2010 -2012

Oversaw receiving and sales budgets and inventory levels for all categories of the Buying team; worked with buyers and vendors to plan assortments and style counts

Worked directly with the CFO and EVP of Merchandise to provide insight and analysis of performance to plan

Managed all aspects of forecasting, planning, productivity, margin performance and allocation analysis of merchandise

Organized post-season performance reviews to budget; planned new store allocation and sales strategy by department

Led vendor negotiation agreement summit; required working with EVP of Merchandise and CFO on corporate strategies, negotiated agreements with vendors regional and national sales managers to create stronger more profitable relationships

Realigned allocation strategies to segment store groupings and maximize inventory distribution to increase gross margin and turns

General Merchandise Manager, Boston, MA 2008-2010

Promoted to GMM by CEO due to extensive experience, management ability and substantial positive results in the Equipment Division

Implemented changes from Equipment Division to reshape structure of buying processes

Oversaw team of 10 employees in buying, planning and allocation and created new processes to increase efficiencies

Reduced overall company range by hundreds of styles across all areas up to 60% of total assortments

Formulated a structured markdown strategy for better processes for the planning department, also creating a more efficient procedure for the store management

Reduced aged inventory from 13% of overall inventory to 5% of overall inventory while lowering overall inventory levels

Category Manager, Wilmington, MA 2006 - 2008

Reshaped entire Equipment Division through new processes, buyer training, vendor negotiations, allocation strategies and strict assortment plans

Reduced overall inventory by 50% while increasing sales over 25% through vendor reductions and markdown strategies

Managed and trained 2 buyers to become a stronger more profitable Division for the Corporation

Decathlon, Wilmington, MA

US Brand Manager 1999-2006

Managed all facets of the US Team Sports Merchandise: buying, planning, vendor relationships, store personnel training and range selection for a full head to toe assortment accounting for $50M in overall sales.

Developed US Teams Sports strategy as part of a worldwide leadership team; attended biannual corporate strategy sessions

Integral team member of cross functional group in producing private label US Team Sport products for worldwide distribution

Selected by CEO and Leadership to be part of an Executive Committee to help the organization increase sales and profit margins, customer service, and reduce inventory at the store level

MVP Sports, Wilmington, MA

Senior Buyer 1993-1999

Managed purchasing and movement of inventory for 20 store chain in New England area accountable for over $20M in sales Revenue, 20% of total company sales

Increased margins, lowered inventory, increased turns and consolidated vendor and product selection on a yearly basis to maximize profits

Trained new buyers on merchandise selection, margin, inventory control and vendor negotiations

Boston Bruins Professional Sports Shop, Boston, MA

General Manager 1990-1993

Managed overall operations of the store including employee management, buying, and product development/design

Employed 25+ employees in a $3-4M store with major shifts in business due to events

Worked with Bruins and Celtics front office to help with team orders/printing as needed

EDUCATION AND PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Major: Management

President of East Boston Athletic Board, member for past 25+ years

Member of the Board of Director of Salesian Boys and Girls Club, East Boston, MA

Member of East Boston High Step Back and Give Back Scholarship Fund

Member of the Wally Bowe Fund for Salesian Boys and Girls Club

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