Buyer
Resume:
ILENE JONES
** ******** *****, ************, ** *2874
adcgug@r.postjobfree.com, www.linkedin.com/in/ilene-jones-0662461 20+ years of experience in the retail industry, with large, multi-unit retailers as well as smaller organizations and Internet sales. Concentration in private label purchasing and product development. EXPERIENCE
JANUARY 2014 - PRESENT
BUYER, OCEAN STATE JOB LOT
Responsible for assortment decisions, monthly forecasting and advertising strategies. Increased comp sales and gross margin in summer seasonal footwear category by revamping the assortment, bringing in more private label products, and creating planogram presentations with the Merchandising group. Delivered sell-through of over 90%, reducing clearance liability. Create Powerpoint slide shows for big ticket items (gazebos, kayaks) to support both in-store and Internet sales.
Negotiate with overseas vendors to secure best costs, delivery and quality in private label programs. Follow creative cycle end-to-end, from design concept to production samples/ shipment.
DECEMBER 2012 – NOVEMBER 2013
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER, J. WHITE’S AUTOMOTIVE LLC
Receive visitors, prepare correspondence, provide excellent customer service orientation. Organize and provide documents, reports and information to department and external clients in a useful and well-organized manner. Process client invoices, orders and payments. Create and maintain database records. Manage Hertz rentals desk – liaise with customers, maintain clean inventory, assign vehicles as needed. Manage front office operations. Handle and screen telephone calls and allocate as required.
NOVEMBER 2005 – AUGUST 2011
MANAGER, GLOBAL SOURCING & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB
Boosted direct import penetration by 4.5%.
Collaborated with buyers to develop and source exclusive private label products to enhance departmental assortments, resulting in an increase of 7.2% GP over previous year. Interfaced with management as well as overseas suppliers to leverage guidelines, standards and best practices. Provided buying staff with product knowledge and served as an informational resource.
Developed appropriate timelines and executed direct import and private label development. Collaborated with agents on vendor selection, time and action calendars, and costing strategies. 2
OCTOBER 2003 – NOVEMBER 2005
SENIOR BUYER, BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB
Accountable for value added, cost savings, and other performance metrics via strategic sourcing process.
Reviewed and evaluated product assortment strategy in all General Merchandise categories to identify potential private label candidates.
Implemented packaging, specifications and costing matrix to reduce acquisition costs and maximize sales. Annualized volume $52 million.
Built and maintained strong working relationships with all levels of management. AUGUST 2002 – SEPTEMBER 2003
SENIOR BUYER, FAO, INC.
NOVEMBER 2000 – JULY 2002
CATEGORY MANAGER, BABIESRUS.COM
JUNE 1991 – NOVEMBER 2000
SENIOR BUYER, TOYS ‘R’ US, INT’L.
EDUCATION
B.S., CLOTHING & TEXTILES, FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY SKILLS
• Proficient in MS Excel, Word
• Powerpoint
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