Buyer/Purchasing Inventory Analyst Customer Service

Austin R. Lyons Jr.

East Bridgewater, MA *****

SUMMARY

Over 20 years’ experience in Retail & Category Management.

Experience includes training and development, sales, merchandising, buying, inventory, profit, and lo as well as process management.

Demonstrated change leadership and the ability to manage through others.

Able to establish rapport and communicate effectively with a wide variety of clientele at all levels.

Able to meet deadlines and handle numerous projects simultaneously.

As well as fully responsible for the following areas: training, planograms, promotional planning, systems HIMS maintenance, contract/LOA creation, vendor relations, communications, assortment planning inventory productivity, financial analysis strategic planning, and product testing.

Collaborate with the marketing department to develop new products, campaigns, and business ideas.

Interpreting sales reports and providing guidance on how to improve figures and customer engagement

Responsible for managing sales and service across the multiple categories.

Skilled at working independently, multi-tasking and delegating responsibilities.

Highly motivated, reliable, confident, and committed to professional standards.

Outstanding work ethic, results driven, sense of urgency to get the job done.

Project Planning and Coordination with both internal and external partners.

Cross-Functional Collaboration with multiple teams domestic and international.

Communication and relationship building within the vendor community.

Problem solving and creative thinking.

Subject matter expert Excel and Oracles Essbase,

Vendor Management to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Retail display development to drive sales and profit.

Program conception, creation, and kick-offs.

EDUCATION

HSD, Cardinal Spell man Highschool

1982, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater MA, Aviation Science/Management

1978 - 1982Cardinal Spellman High School, Brockton MA, College Preparatory

2017-2022 Scouts BSA, Director District Adult Training

2020- Present Board of Health Town of East Bridgewater (Elected). Chairperson

2015-2020Planning Board Town of East Bridgewater (Elected), Member

1982 Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout

EXPEREINCE

QLM, East Bridgewater, MA 5/2014-Present

Category Manager

Motivated Manager bringing extensive knowledge and proven success in the green industry.

A strong communicator with an emphasis on customer service, safety, and fiscal responsibility

Responsible for existing accounts and entire operation of property maintenance and project construction

Manage direct reports for both field and administrative staff.

Liaise with marketing teams to determine competitive pricing and promotional activities of a product category.

Collaborate with buyers and merchandisers to expand product categories.

Make forecasts for product demand to ensure the sustainability of inventory.

Assume responsibility of budget development and revenue for category.

Participate in the design and placement of marketing materials.

Categories into marketing in print, design, social media in commercial category management

Monitor financial to ensure business growth and success.

Regular interaction and negotiation with contractors and vendors

Assist in goal setting, systems development, master planning, and business strategy.

Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator’s License.

Analyzing data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends.

Devise long-term development strategies for product categories.

Develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products.

Foster trust relationships with vendors to achieve better pricing and quality of services.

Place appropriate orders to ensure product availability that meets consumer demands.

Determine the positioning of a product category to maximize visibility.

Analyzing the effectiveness of past marketing efforts and retrieving or rework on present market need.

Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, IL 5/2005 – 12/2012

Buyer (Retail)

Developed both short- and long-term strategies within the toy and board game categories to ensure

category management: over saw and managed marketing strategies in print direct mail and social media in retail management

success in relationship to the overall corporate objectives while overseeing all aspects of the buying and merchandising process.

Prepared annual and quarterly budgets and presented them to the relevant stakeholders.

Analyzed marketplace and consumer trends to identify and select customer centric products.

Collaborate with the marketing department to develop new products, campaigns, and business ideas.

Interpreting sales reports and providing guidance on how to improve figures and customer engagement

Worked to design and implement both in and out of isle displays to increase sales and margin.

Reviewed and edited merchandise lines according to margin and sales parameters.

Sears Roebuck & Co, Hoffman Estates, IL 7/2003 – 5/2005

Associate Buyer (retail)

Responsibilities include full accountabilities for all buying activities.

As well as fully responsible for the following areas: training, planograms, promotional planning, systems HIMS maintenance, contract/LOA creation, vendor relations, communications, assortment planning inventory productivity, financial analysis strategic planning, and product testing.

Additional responsibilities include consumer literature, product information, the ML books and acting as a conduit to the training staff on such issues as CDI training.

Led store team in designing, developing, and implementing completely new and universal fixtures.

Collaborated with vendors and training team for successful Spring OPT program and Powerama.

Reviewed and edited all Specialty Power Lines to include core customer relevant products.

Sears Roebuck & Co, Hoffman Estates, IL 7/1998 – 7/2003

Inventory Analyst

This position served as the organizational conduit between the Inventory Analyst and the Buying Team and Vendors.

Responsibilities included replenishing Distribution Center inventory based on the appropriate store needs, coordination with all levels within the organization store operations, merchandising teams, logistics and vendors.

In addition to ensuring optimal inventory availability to ensure in stock and inventory productivity goals, the position requires the managing of vendor forecasting, the facilitation of forecasting meetings with buying teams as well as with the vendor community and reconciling forecasting vs. production timing and receipt flow.

Subsequently analyzed and reviewed all aspects of the Import Process and assisted vendors in utilizing industry standardized software for load balancing of mixed containers.

Developed forecasting tools that optimized the utilization of mixed container options from overseas factories that best mirrored our inventory needs during peak and off-peak seasons.

Initiated a unitization program for all vendors in relationship to inbound freight that would maximize handling, reduce damages, and lower overall costs throughout all channels of distribution. Sears Savin EST $800,00.

Managed team of direct reports

Subject Matter Expert for Import/Rockport Process

Sears Roebuck & Co, Hoffman Estates, IL 5/1991 – 4/1998

Store Management Assignments

Responsible for managing sales and service across the multiple categories.

This included sales, miscellaneous revenue, payroll management, and achievement of profitability goals.

Also accountable for customer satisfaction and associate morale and productivity.

Managed consultative selling and merchandise and customer assist associates (department replenishment associates).

Teamed with Home office Inventory Buyers's to successfully manage inventory and sales during tremendous turmoil in the local marketplace, which resulted in both a growth in profit, and sales.

Proactively defended against an influx of competition by offering the highest standards in Customer Service, selection, and presentation.

Managed and raised associate morale through coaching, training and hands assisting in closing sales.

Demonstrated to associates that we can win on service and reputation and not by price alone.

Developed and lead store wide events and overall associate morale.

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