ERICA MAZON

*** *** **** **** · ***.***,****

ad3ugd@r.postjobfree.com

I am an experienced store and web merchandiser/buyer looking for my next opportunity to make an impact with an established retailer. I have demonstrated effectiveness as a team leader and developer of people, retail business planner and strategist, and collaborative partner. My key accomplishments are establishing a vertical buying department at Lacoste and exponentially growing the Polo Factory Stores businesses via on trend line development and forecasting. DIRECTOR LEVEL MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

AUGUST 2014 – SEPTEMBER 2015

DIRECTOR OF BUYING, LACOSTE

• Establish the Lacoste Boutique and Ecom buying department by determining pre-season and in season processes as well as the Buying department responsibilities.

• Buy the seasonal product assortment for the Womens and Childrens divisions while overseeing the buy strategies for Mens and Accessories.

• Lead a team of 3 direct reports: Sr. Buyer (Boutiques), Buyer (Boutiques/Ecom), and Assoc. Buyer (Ecom).

• Attend all vendor partner meetings and drive strategic decisions concerning meeting sales and inventory expectations: Movado, Delta, Sunham, Pentland, and Marchon.

• Provide weekly business updates with recommended actions for future time periods.

• Create the seasonal promotional calendar for Boutiques to support sales and margin goals.

(Coordinate with Director of Ecom to align online and boutique strategies).

• Present buy strategies to the CEO, Senior Leadership and French counterparts.

• Partner with Visual, Planning, Ecommerce Operations and Store Operations to execute all strategies. AUGUST 2008 – JULY 2014

BUYER, POLO RALPH LAUREN FACTORY STORES

Buyer- Mens Accessories and Home (2012-2014)

• Grow and diversify the seasonal Mens accessories line. Product categories include: Headwear, Footwear, Small Leathergoods, Bags, Novelties, Underwear, Hosiery, and Sleepwear. (~$72.8 Million in annual retail sales)

• Manage exit strategy for Home business dissolved in FY2013.

• Lead a team of 3 direct reports: Assistant Buyer and two Merchandise Assistants.

• Manage relationships with all licensed vendors and internal vendors for both Home and Mens Accessories: underwear (Hanes), umbrellas (Kenlo), hosiery (Hot Sox). Buyer- Mens Woven Apparel (2008-2012)

• Assort the seasonal woven product assortment for the Mens division. Product categories include: Outerwear, Bottoms, Woven Shirts, Dress Shirts, Tailored Clothing, and Neckwear. (~$250 Million in annual retail sales)

• Lead along with a Planner a team of 9 people including 3 direct reports: Associate Buyer

(Bottoms/Outerwear), Assistant Buyer (Shirtings/Clothing), and Merchandise Assistant (Wovens Product).

• Go to market seasonally for Ralph Lauren licensed vendors to buy tailored clothing and dress outerwear. Responsibilities shared by both roles:

• Communicate in season pricing management, inventory control, and receipt recapping in the Monthly Forecast Review (Open To Buy) attended by senior management.

• Present pre-season buy strategies to the Senior Vice President of the Factory Outlet division and the rest of the leadership team quarterly.

• Recommend store presentation strategies and sales floor updates based on in season trends and quarterly hindsight.

2

MID LEVEL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

DECEMBER 2006- JULY 2008

MERCHANDISER, ANN TAYLOR.COM

NOVEMBER 2005 – DECEMBER 2006

MERCHANDISER, ANN TAYLOR FACTORY OUTLETS

JANUARY 2005 – NOVEMBER 2005

MERCHANDISER, GAP INC. FORTH & TOWNE

DECEMBER 2002 – JANUARY 2005

MERCHANDISER, GAPKIDS.COM

DECEMBER 2001 – DECEMBER 2002

MERCHANDISE PLANNER, OLD NAVY OUTLET

ENTRY LEVEL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

SEPTEMBER 2000 – DECEMBER 2001

PLANNING ANALYST, OLD NAVY OUTLET

FAMILY LEAVE EXPERIENCE

DECEMBER 2021– JUNE 2021

SPECIAL WEB PROJECTS- MERCHANDISING NEIMAIN MARCUS

(CONTRACT/REMOTE)

DECEMBER 2020– JANUARY 2021

SPECIAL WEB PROJECTS- MERCHANDISING GARRETT WADE (CONTRACT/REMOTE) AUGUST 2020 – NOVEMBER 2020

WEB MERCHANDISER TIMBERLAND.COM (CONTRACT/REMOTE)

APRIL 2017 – JULY 2020

INDEPENDENT RETAILER LULAROE

EDUCATION

MAY 2000

BACHELORS DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,

JOHN M. OLIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST, LOUIS

Major in Marketing, Minor in Anthropology

SKILLS

• Manager of people: review writing and delivery,

training and development

• Special project manager and participant: delegating, meeting leader, presentation of recommendations

and or new tools/processes

• Projection tools: Retek, Enterprise Planning, Excel

• Tool savvy- quick to learn various systems

• Collaborative thinker and contributor

• Enthusiastic to share opportunities and tools to help with efficiency and communication

Contact this candidate