merchandise manager

Professional Experience

Colony Brands Dec **** – May 2024

Buyer/Merchandiser

P&L responsibility for $240M division, development of goals at division and individual level with execution oversight

Launched licensed/branded toys achieving double-digit growth with minimal margin erosion by adjusting pricing on the category as whole

Leveraged insights gained through trend analysis using Microsoft BI and Excel to make changes and recommendations to product mix, outperforming the company as a whole

Launched multiple new categories and private label programs for market and exclusively designed products

Lowered excess inventory position by 30% by overhauling the methodology for identifying and executing markdown programs around excess product within the hardgoods division

Maintained strong vendor relationships in China and Europe resulting in lower COM and a significant increase in private label, exclusive design, and adjusted design for outdoor furniture, holiday, and home accessory categories

Increased margins and lowered returns by expansion of personalization capabilities, product offerings, and mix.

Positively impacted profitability by reducing returns and service calls by collaborating with QA to improve instruction manuals

Minimized post-season collections by negotiating with vendors to include defective allowances upfront

Known for taking on failing staff and resetting their trajectory for success within the company, as well as developing high-potential employees for promotions

In the Company of Dogs (Potpourri Group) Sept 2002 - Nov 2003

Buyer/Assistant Catalog Manager

Shifted product mix to a solution-oriented pet focus while still maintaining legacy categories allowing us to maintain our customer base while attracting new customers.

Reduced number of size-oriented offerings to lower SKU load and moved breed heavy offerings to an in-warehouse/drop-ship mix.

eZiba April 2000 - Sep 2002

Buyer Planner/Analyst

Reported to the Vice President of Merchandising; eCommerce startup company focused on handmade goods from around the world

Created analysis, inventory, and forecasting tools

Designed, with a cross-functional team, a dynamic website that didn’t bury product while keeping top sellers at the forefront, allowing for more sales and views to all items.

Worked with governmental agencies and nonprofit groups to search out and support handmade goods from around the world.

Related Experience

Payne’s Coffeehouse, Partner/Owner January 2024 - Present

Shakespeare on the Edge / 2011- Present

A Gathering of Rogues & Ruffians RenFaire, Board of Directors

Community Theater 2014 - Present

Monroe Theater Guild, volunteer, actor

Evansville Community Theater, volunteer, actor

Pop Factory Players, volunteer, actor

Education:

BS International Business

Augsburg College

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