CHRISTINE LA BARCA

Dix hills, new york

917-***-**** adlu88@r.postjobfree.com

LINKEDIN.COM/IN/CHRISTINELABARCA

Motivated professional credited with combining operations expertise and merchandise buying to achieve goals. Results-oriented with expertise in purchasing, merchandising, vendor management, sales forecasting, and trend analysis. Strong ability to provide outstanding customer service. Expert at implementing processes and solutions that improve efficiency. Personable, adaptable, and an enthusiastic team player with the ability to multi-task under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Excellent interpersonal skills with all levels of people.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Merchandise Buying ● Sales Tracking and Analysis ● Retail Management ● Reorders ● Inventory Replenishment

Retail Operations ● Inventory Management Systems ● Customer Service ● Problem Solving

Process Implementation ● Consumer Insights ● Sales Trends ● Relationship Building

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sam Tell and Son Companies, Farmingdale, NY

Buyer/Purchaser 2017-2020

Managed purchase order life cycle from negotiation, creation, internal approval, production, maintenance and final delivery to support the overall operations.

Reviewed open order log daily. Traced shipments and expedited orders to ensure delivery requirements were met. Followed up daily on undelivered materials and equipment.

Followed up daily with vendors on lead times, price quotes, delivery schedules, product production, availability of product, order cancellations, product substitutes and to help resolve any discrepancies and shipments of defective products.

Coordinated initiatives regarding pricing revisions, logistics, order cancellations, discontinued items, acceptable substitutes, delivery date revisions, invoice discrepancies and payment terms.

Created, updated and maintained all products and pricing in the ERP system.

Coordinated equipment return process from start to finish. Requested RMA’s, negotiated restock fees, input return into ERP system, followed up w/ warehouse, vendors, AR and AP departments to ensure products were returned and all credits were processed.

Determined shipping terms for all purchase orders and coordinated all local equipment pickups with vendors, customers and warehouse/logistics personnel. Assisted with building efficiencies into the procurement process including consolidating orders, which helped cut shipping costs and provided the eligibility for a larger cost discount.

Acted as the liaison and provided daily support to vendors, project managers and sales personnel.

Maintained, organized and updated project files w/ purchase orders, quotes, drawings and all other supported and appropriate documentation.

Utilized ERP system for planning, forecasting and procurement. Monitored stock levels to place orders on a timely basis.

Collaborated daily with AP dept by reviewing and approving vendor invoices for payment. Ensured all purchase terms and discounts were adhered to. Researched and resolved invoice discrepancies within the acceptable turnaround times. Provided all mandatory paperwork for new vendor setups.

Collaborated daily with AR dept to ensure all sales orders in the ERP system matched up to customer contracts and purchase orders. Reviewed and helped reconcile project summaries. Resolved any discrepancies in a timely manner.

Consistently improved relationships w/ vendors by utilizing a customer service approach.

Key Accomplishments

●Saved the company approximately $200K in costs by rectifying a large customer order mishap. Acted quickly and worked as a team with vendors and logistics by coordinating product cancellations, product returns and replacements, shipment interceptions. Negotiated restock fees with vendors.

SLEEPY’S, Hicksville, NY

Assistant Buyer 2014-2016

Assisted buyer in product research for in-store and dropship.

Researched comp pricing to help determine pricing strategies and advertising promotions.

Worked directly with Web Team/E-Commerce and provided all web descriptions and images. Followed up on a daily basis to make sure all items were up on website accurately and in a timely manner.

Gathered new product information from vendors, reviewed samples, and created SKU’s upon purchasing merchandise.

Effectively communicated with cross-functional business partners to execute product rollouts, advertising, markdowns and liquidation.

Traveled to trade shows and market with buyer seeking out new product, opportunity buys and review current product with active vendors.

Key Accomplishments

●Supported five categories (mattresses, furniture, hardware, accessories, home goods) with sales in excess of $200 million for a $1 billion dollar enterprise

PERSONAL TIME RAISING FAMILY 2007-2014

Held part-time Administrative positions

MACYS, New York, NY

2nd Level Assistant Buyer 2004- 2007

Assistant Buyer 2001-2004

Clerical 2000-2001

Collaborated with multiple buyers to facilitate marketing of new products, product launches, and new business opportunities to maximize trending businesses.

Communicated with manufacturers, vendors, sales teams, and buyers to expedite orders and resolve outstanding problems.

Resolved issues related to competitor pricing and advertising.

Reconciled orders with long-term financial plans and forecasts.

Key Accomplishments:

Recognized for excellent work and consistently promoted through multiple positions of increasing responsibility.

Ensured optimum stock levels for all stores were maintained.

SKILLS & EDUCATION

Microsoft Word ` ■ Customer Service

Excel (Intermediate) ■ Data Entry

Outlook ■ ERP

Oracle Business Suite ■ AutoQuotes Software

Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY,

A.A.S in Buying and Merchandising

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