Jessica Norris

Fort Mill, SC 803-***-****

addwmf@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-norrissc

Global Sourcing Manager

Strategic leader driving timely results by work style, vendor partnerships, and negotiation skills.

Positively impact bottom line results by finding new opportunities to maximize sales and deliver profitable, incremental growth.

Highly motivated, skilled, and passionate professional with extensive experience in merchandising, product development, and sourcing / procurement. Manage multiple projects and perform in fast-paced, goal oriented, and progressive environment. Exceptionally organized with impressive verbal and written communication skills, inclusive of fluent Spanish. Perform with urgency and accountability to keep processes moving along timelines, achieving company goals and priorities. Knowledge of various sourcing and product development models, including partnering with multiple overseas agencies, as well as domestic importers. Extensive overseas and domestic travel to work through product selections, cost negotiations, and build vendor relationships.

Expertise

Global Sourcing

Product Development

Home Textiles

Brand Management

Negotiation

Project Management

Product Life Cycle

Vendor / Supplier Relations

Quality Control & Product Integrity

Logistics & Supply Chain

Experience

BELK, INC., Charlotte, NC 2003 to 2020

Global Sourcing Manager - Soft Home 2018 to 2020

Oversaw product development and production of Private Brands manufactured exclusively for Belk, from initial concept through final delivery. Ensured brand aesthetic was maintained and merchandise met or surpassed quality, margin, and delivery targets.

Managed costing and sourcing for multiple soft home categories and brands, including sheets, towels, bath rugs, blankets, throws, fashion bedding, decorative pillows, and utility bedding, worth $103M for FY20 and +16% increase over LY.

Launched upgraded luxury all-cotton 1000 thread count sheet program, resulting in 12.5% cost decrease to LY program.

Reduced vendor matrix by 58% to build sustainable growth strategies, including vendor rebates and e-commerce initiatives.

Negotiated over $350K in opening order discounts and vendor chargebacks, positively impacting margin.

Discovered new direct China resource to take over heated blanket business, improving costs by 28 - 52%.

Provided factory capacity projections for protecting key item needs and critical shipments, meeting current customer demand.

Simplified and reduced minimum order quantity requirements across all vendors and product categories, supporting both brick and mortar, and e-commerce businesses.

Partnered with logistics and transportation team, resolving shipping issues and holding vendors accountable for timely delivery.

Gathered and reported out key KPI data for third party warehouse shipping metrics, such as on time delivery, routing, and order fulfillment.

Product Manager - Soft Home 2012 to 2018

Developed, sourced, and sold categories of sheets, towels, and utility bedding within company to buying team.

Researched and acquired enhanced product to grow e-commerce sales in luxury brands. Total dot com business was 35.1% greater than LY, contributing additional $100K of incremental business for FY15.

Grew Utility Bedding penetration to 48.8% from 41.7% prior year by adding new products in blankets and mattress pads in FY14.

Analyzed assortment and reduced total sheet program offerings by 30%; balancing price point, thread count, fabric, and brand aesthetic, while remaining competitive.

Conceptualized, sourced, and launched overhaul of key back wall utility programs, addressing maximization of assortment and simplifying customer shopping experience.

Identified points of product differentiation, packaging, and price positioning, strengthening sheet and towel assortments.

Jessica Norris addwmf@r.postjobfree.com Page Two

BELK, INC. (Continued)

Launched new towel and rug programs, driving luxury aesthetic with 25% improved cost.

Promoted 3 Assistants to Associate level and acted as Associate Engagement Liaison, boosting associate satisfaction in division.

Partnered with packaging team, advancing communication on technology, features, and benefits to consumers.

Associate Product Manager - Girls Apparel 2011 to 2012

Created quality and trend-right Private Brand merchandise for Belk. Ensured merchandise selected supported brand profile and seamless production.

Increased overall markup for Fall 2012 to 77.6% from 75.5% by strategic negotiations and fabric positioning.

Coordinated directly with textile designer and technical designer, ensuring product aesthetic was meeting brand profiles and garments achieved industry fit standards.

Gained reputation for highly creative room set-ups and created environments, making product presentations feel more engaging and compelling for management.

Assistant Product Manager - Soft Home 2008 to 2011

Received Pacesetter Award for Top 10% Company Performer, achieving 101.9% of sales plan, 107.8% of GM$ plan, and exceeding GM% plan by 6% for FY 11. Negotiated best cost, introduced differentiated product, and maintained on-time deliveries to exceed plan targets.

Spearheaded 2011 Beach Towel program worth $4M+ in receipts by expanding design offerings to cover market trends.

Collaborated with packaging design team, uniquely marketing each product and proofing all packaging artwork.

Assistant Buyer - Women’s Moderate Sportswear 2003 to 2008

Forecasted stock projection analysis, presented to executive management, and proposed strategies for increasing turnover and accelerating sales.

Managed entire advertising process from catalog features to ad productivity and investment return, resulting in stronger product features and compelling price point messages for driving sales and customer engagement.

Executive Trainee 2003

Recruited and selected from among hundreds of candidates for 1 of 16 positions in intensive 16-week program, focused on hands-on store and classroom training.

Achievements

BELK, INC.

BAILA Board Member and Community Engagement Co-Chair, Belk Associate Inclusive Latino Alliance, 2015 - 2016

Executed on-site and off-site events, including executives and community partners. Represented Belk at black tie banquet to award scholarships to deserving minority students

Council Member, Merchandise People Strategy Council, 2015

Integral in updating private brands job descriptions, updating frameworks, and experience matrices

Subject Matter Expert, Product Lifecycle Management System, 2019

Spent approximately 45-hours to help build new system from user experience. Tested and reported back on functionality and provided peer support upon rollout

Professional Development

Cotton Incorporated Seminars

Textile Fundamentals

Chemical and Physical Fabric Finishing

Transformational Leadership Class

Speaker: Dr. Teresa Goode from Northeastern University

Education

Bachelor of Science (BS), Business Administration Marketing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

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