BETH WITT

acw1mm@r.postjobfree.com 414-***-****

www.linkedin.com/in/bethwitt Denver, Colorado

Experienced Multi-Channel Planning Director and Senior Buyer with a consistent record of delivering on sales, margin, and inventory goals through building dynamic programs, financial management and detailed analysis. Strategic and team-motivating leader with an extensive experience in initiating and developing collaborative vendor- retailer partnerships that propel and achieve shared business goals. Key Strengths

● Innovative: Identified, sourced, and launched eight major key items resulting in $90 million sales annually

● Communication and Efficiencies: Developed 8 new processes to ensure operational consistency, improve communication and streamline work

● Financial Planning and Profit Analysis: Increased year-over-year sales and gross margin for 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

● Vendor Relations and Negotiations: Managed and developed over 20 vendor relationships

● Employee Training and Development: Selected for 5 corporate initiatives and managed 8 direct reports

CAREER HISTORY

SPORTS AUTHORITY Englewood, CO 2014 - May 2016

Director of Planning- Apparel 2015 – May 2016

Promoted to Director of Planning for $600 million Apparel Division for 470 stores and ecommerce

Led a team of 8 in developing and managing strategic financial and unit plans for 15 departments with an budget of $330M.

Developed new processes on daily sales analysis, monthly financial reviews, 3 month forecasting, uniform weekly business review, and store analysis; improving forecasting accuracy and consistency.

Identified opportunities based on the market place and store performance, resulting in a 40 basis point improvement on inventory goals and a 65 basis point improvement on gross margin goals.

Partnered with strategic category vendors (Nike, Under Amour and Adidas) to develop new sales driving financial strategies, reduced costs and inventory management.

Maintained a 90+% in-stock level for all stores on core styles through managed 30% liquidity in budget dollars for weekly order placement.

Determined and set inventory targets for 8 new and remodeling stores. Buyer II, Swim and Yoga Apparel 2014 – 2015

Managed $55 million Swim and Yoga categories for 470 stores and ecommerce

Ranked 4th of 52 departments in sales and gross margin. Improved market share by 300 basis points.

Increased sales and gross margins through leading collaborative strategic projects with 7 cross functional teams

Grew 2015 Swim sales by 6.4%, +$2.3M thru extensive analysis identifying market void opportunities.

Negotiated with vendors to reduce costs thru consolidated buying, competing bids on programs, and style reductions to increase unit buys on key categories. Increased gross margin by 22 basis points.

Annually re-negotiated vendor contracts to improve terms and allowances

Strategized and teamed with Product Development to develop and launch Bloom and Oxide exclusive brands; generating $8M in annual volume.

Built strong vendor partnership through co-development of strategies. Managed 17 vendor partnerships.

Coached and developed Assistant Buyer and Planner on financial analysis, strategy and communication skills, resulting in promotions of both the Planner (2014) and Assistant buyer (2015).

Selected to be on 3 committees to improve processes and communication: JDA Markdowns, Roles and Responsibilities and Space Planning.

Beth Wi tt Page 2

KOHL’S DEPARTMENT STORES Menomonee Falls, WI 2000 – October 2013 Senior Buyer, Frames and Art 2011 – 2013

Led office of 2 Planners, 2 Assistant Buyers, 2 Inventory Analyst and 3 Merchandise Specialists for $250 million Frame and Art categories for 1150 stores and ecommerce

Selected to strategize reverse of down trending frame categories through building key items, increasing product newness by 70% and developing new art and frame marketing strategies.

Accountable for assortments, pricing, inventory management, ecommerce, product development, financial planning, logistics, in-store execution and marketing for 1150 stores within 7 distinct regions.

Oversaw weekly budget by department in order to achieve margin, inventory, and financial goals.

Analyzed sales productivity and stock by linear foot to build the most effective product assortments.

Identified region-specific sales growth opportunities through differentiated assortments resulting in 5% sales growth over core stores.

Manage advertising, pricing and trend strategies for approximately 10 ads per week.

Increase gross margin by 91 basis points through negotiating costing, advertising dollars and margin deficiencies.

Buyer, Seasonal 2007 – 2010

Promoted to manage $198 million Trim a Tree, Outdoor & Indoor Furniture, Back to School for 1135 stores and ecommerce

Grew sales by $60 million through strong strategic vision and implementation of ideas.

Sales performance ranked 2nd of 69 buyers in spring 2010, 5th in fall 2009, 4th in spring 2008.

Gross margin performance ranked 10th of 69 buyers 2010, 1st in 2009, 5th in spring 2008.

Directed and recommended merchandise assortments to an 8 person Product Development team.

Developed region-specific assortments that outpaced company comp store sales growth by 7%. Planner, Fine Jewelry and Watches 2004 – 2006

Promoted to plan and manage $175 million Fine Jewelry and Watch categories in 732 stores and ecommerce.

Created weekly sales and inventory projections analysis for every program to ensure sales were maximized; turn rates optimized and markdowns were minimized.

Managed basic stock replenishment for over 70% of open to buy receipts, improved inventory turn rates by 10 to 45 basis points over previous year.

Planner, Misses Active Wear 2000 – 2004

Recruited to plan and manage $75 million Misses Active Wear category in 637 stores and ecommerce.

Responsible for inventory management including open to buy, seasonal planning and unit planning by category, resulting in carrying 3-9% reduced inventories by store.

Developed expansion plans during 100 store per year growth. EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO

Bachelor of Science – Apparel and Merchandising

Internal Course Work

Clifton Strengths Finder, Zenger Folkman 360 review Negotiations I and II, Critical Thinking and Strategy

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