Buyer, Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Product Development

Bryan C. Clift

Dallas, TX ********@*****.*** linkedin.com/in/bryan-clift 407-***-****

ACCOMPLISHED MERCHANDISING PROFESSIONAL

Category Management Global Strategic Sourcing Product Development

Innovative and results focused merchandising professional with 20 years’ global experience creating and executing category management, buying, strategic sourcing, product development and merchandising strategies. Managed product lifecycle budgets from $40M to over $600M including team sizes up to 25 people producing strong financial metrics by delivering strategies that drive corporate objectives. Collaborative, detail oriented and resourceful leader with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong financial acumen, skilled at leveraging a team’s core strengths and company resources to maximize financial results.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Team Building Self-Motivation Problem Solving Responsibility

Leadership Category Management Decision Making Adaptability

Collaboration Process Improvement Time Management Flexibility

Adaptability Vendor Negotiation Communication Organization

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Six Flags Entertainment – Grand Prairie, TX 7/2018 – 4/2020

International Retail Product Development Manager

Implemented merchandise strategies to achieve $48M annual sales in 135 unique retail locations

Rationalized and reduced vendor base 17% to save 3.4% and leverage creative assets

Collaborated with international teams to develop product assortments, financial plans and logistics

Moore Wild Bird Centers – College Station, TX 6/2017 – 7/2018

General Manager & Concept Owner

Led and managed day-to-day operations of a newly created multi-location nature products company

Implemented new team training modules and promotional marketing monthly and annual plans

Directed all merchandising, vendor partnerships, and logistics with P&L total cost of ownership

Design Source International – Carrollton, TX 10/2016 – 6/2017

Strategic Sourcing Manager

Responsible for all strategic sourcing activities for a $50M soft home manufacturer

Created and managed vendor/supplier matrix to ensure supplier strengths and cost were maximized

Achieved $265,000 annual savings from first implemented sourcing strategy

Private Brand Development & Sourcing – Dallas, TX 10/2015 – 6/2017

Consultant for Moore Wild Bird Centers

Established business model for a new private brand outdoor nature and pet products company

Realized $650,000 savings by identifying and developing a private brand portfolio of products

Managed all research, product development, communication, costing and supply chain activities

Animal Supply Company – Irving, Tx 9/2014 – 10/2015

Director, Exclusive/Private Brands

Responsible for a $90M private brand portfolio for the largest pet products distributor in the USA

Leveraged company resources to successfully launch 242 new private brand products

Implemented product lifecycle management and total cost of ownership to optimize profitability

Zale Jewelers – Irving, TX 3/2013 – 9/2014

Strategic Sourcing Manager, Bridal Rings & Diamond Bands

Managed a $420M Private Brand Diamond Engagement Ring and Wedding Band business

Created a vendor matrix to help identify and execute vendor rationalization process

Achieved savings over $12M in first year of new global strategic sourcing’s initiative

Michaels Stores – Irving, TX 3/2008 – 3/2013

Category Manager/Buyer

Led and executed category and buying strategy for a $71M national and private brand business

Improved margins by 2.7% by rationalizing assortments and maximizing private brand strategy

Delivered balanced profitable product assortments by strategically curating and purchasing products from both national brands and private brand sources based on market, trend and consumer data

Private Brand Product Manager

Responsible for a $34M private brand home décor and storage business

Led and leveraged cross functional team of 7 to maximize total company expertise

Increased private brand penetration 3.7% by collaborating with planning and merchant team

Global Sourcing Manager

Designed and executed strategic sourcing strategies for a $87M private brand business

Executed category strategy that saved $2.4M while improving quality and speed to market

Increased private brand penetration by 3.2% by creating a factory matrix to reduce number of factories and reducing cost while increasing overall product quality

JCPenney – Plano, TX 11/2006 – 2/2008

Strategic Global Sourcing Manager, Hard Home Division

Developed and executed sourcing strategies for a $605M Private Brand Home business

Leveraged my previous vendor portfolio relationships to save $1.1M for a single item purchase

Executed category vendor strategy that saved $1.4M for a single holiday season

The Walt Disney Company 1/2002 – 11/2006

Senior Buyer/Category Manager, Disney Parks & Resorts – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Responsible for a $96M Disney private brand hardlines business

Accountable for total cost of ownership for largest department in Disney Theme Parks & Resorts

Executed product strategy increasing sales by $6.7M and improving margins by 1.9%

Strategic Sourcing Manager, The Disney Store – Glendale, CA

Responsible for a $70M Disney private brand hardlines and candy business

Extensive international travel visiting factories and agent teams

Implemented key item strategies that saved 11% or $2.7M, while increasing margin 4.5% for holiday

The Walt Disney Company 5/1988 – 7/1996

Senior Buyer/Category Manager, Disney Parks & Resorts – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Responsible for a $48M Disney private brand home and gift business

Increased sales by 16% or $4.5M while improving margins by 2.3% by creating and executing a lean process reducing development time by 2 months

Senior Global Sourcing Manager, Disney Trading Company – Hong Kong

Responsible for $185M Disney Theme Park private brand Asia business

Oversaw 5 in-country teams managing all sourcing and product development activities in Asia

Reduced cost 2.3% by creating and leveraging vendor matrix and vendors core competencies

Senior Buyer, Disney Parks & Resorts – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Managed a $47M Disney private brand hardlines, headwear and timepiece business

Increased sales by 20.6% while improving margins by 4.5% by continuous assortment refinement

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science – Merchandise Science Major – The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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