Inventory Planner Customer Service

Wendi Prince

Bradenton, FL ***** 404-***-**** **********@*****.***

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/wendi-prince/2/904/837

Professional Experience:

Kids2, Atlanta, GA / Remote - FL 2019 - 2025

Inventory Planner

Responsible for managing the flow of inventory within our 3PL’s across the globe. Managed the product approval process for major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. Created a new report for smaller customers who don’t have a forecast to ensure Inventory is protected for the major accounts. Oversaw Dropship Assortment and worked with Sales and Warehouse to maintain proper inventory levels. Reconciled inventory discrepancies between our SAP inventory quantities and the 3PL’s.

HPI DIRECT, Alpharetta, GA 2016 - 2019 Inventory Planner

Ensured adequate inventory levels are maintained at the customer level to maximize sales and inventory strategies. Assist in the identification and analysis of inventory/supply issues, customer patterns, and opportunities for numerous million-dollar customers such as Amtrak, Enterprise, and Spirit Airlines. Created and implemented short-term ship initiatives during inventory shortages and forecast over-consumption. Developed and managed seasonal and promotional customer inventory initiatives and forecasts.

BALLARD DESIGNS, Atlanta, GA 2012 - 2016

Inventory Control Buyer

Forecasted demand and bought for domestic and international Upholstery and Fabric programs for Catalog, Internet, and Retail platforms. Oversaw customer service and shipping issues for the exclusive custom Italian furniture program. Dropship liaison for call center, vendors, and warehouse.

Improved Import lead time from 135 days to 101 and Domestic from 22 to 19.

Maintained an average in-stock Fill rate of 92% for Catalog drop dates.

CIBA VISION (Novartis), Atlanta, GA 2010 - 2011

Demand Planner

Developed and implemented monthly forecasts for $120M Lens Care business for the US, Canada, and Latin America. Collaborated with Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams on the Sales and Operations Planning Process by generating long-term and short-term forecasts through demand analysis. Worked with key Strategic Accounts to evaluate activity proposals for production requirements, and resolved any related supply issues. Facilitated monthly Forecast Review Meetings highlighting performance vs. target.

Improved Forecast Accuracy by 15% in the US, and 8% in Canada for 2010.

Exceeded half year 11% over LY and 1% over target while enduring excessive supply setbacks resulting from quality issues.

MACY’S Inc., Atlanta, GA 2008 –2009

Planner

Developed seasonal location plans for $28M kids dept., built vendor matrix and assortment plans by door, profile, and Region, and drove sales and inventory results for 213 stores through trend analysis and allocations. Managed an array of vendors and skus, consisting of private label, collections, and classifications. Supported stores and RM’s through recaps and visits, ensuring execution strategies were being met.

■Rolled out Levi to additional doors, resulting in a 1.5% gross margin improvement and +56% in sales.

CARTER’S, Atlanta, GA 2006 - 2008

Account Planner

Worked with the Sales team to plan and forecast current and future seasons for 6 accounts with $32M volume.

Suggested action plans to generate additional bookings and maximize margin, monitored end-of-season

retailer profitability, and traveled to accounts to present proposals and competitive shop.

■Utilized marketing and pricing strategies to grow market share through increasing sales to current customers.

■Exploded top-line goals into intelligent divisional/category plans that retailer could partner with.

■Created usable Excel solutions for accounts with missing or unattainable data.

■Worked with Oracle-based programs, Demand Planner, Cognos, and Crystal.

K & G SUPERSTORES, Atlanta, GA 2004 - 2006

Planner

Developed store financial sales, stock, and receipt plans for $17M Ladie’s dresses, suits, and coats departments. Maximized sales and GM by location for 50 doors. Analyzed new store profiles to determine inventory mix, allocated orders, initiated transfers, and identified opportunities and assortments by location.

■Created and presented Ladie’s outerwear receipt flow analysis by category, by door, partnering with Regional Managers to expand into Men’s Only Stores, resulting in a sales increase of 88%.

■Defined Dress attributes more narrowly, created a new purchase guideline process, and capitalized on key items, resulting in a sales increase of 79%.

■Analyzed and implemented new size quantities to buy per sku for Ladies Suits, achieving a 1% markdown reduction and sales growth of 30%.

MACY’S Inc., Atlanta, GA 1997 -2003

Planner

Developed seasonal plans by analyzing historical data and forecasting trends by location to maximize sales and gross margin for the following departments: Dresses, Suits, Coats, Swim, and Active. Forecasted sales by classification, style, silhouette, and size. Presented findings and proposals to the team in a fast-paced environment, reacting to changes quickly.

■Grew the Urban dress classification from 40 to 140 doors through trend and competitive analysis.

■Rolled out new assortment planning process, achieving 4% increase in Suit sales, and a markdown reduction of 7%.

■Planned and executed a Northern Coat holiday strategy resulting in a 5% increase over the previous year.

MARSHALLS, INC., Framingham, MA

Planning Manager 1993 – 1996

Led 3 Planners and managed $100M in sales for the Moderate Sportswear Department in 400+ stores while seamlessly going through the TJX merger. Analyzed historical data on sales, margin, and turnover to assist in determining future plans and assortments.

■Collaborated with Directors and Buyers on topside financial and assortment plans

■ Interacted with appropriate parties regarding timely production from warehouses.

■Trained Planners in management, people development, and planning and merchandising philosophies.

■Traveled to TJ Maxx/Marshalls and competitive stores to evaluate merchandise mix and inventory levels.

Planner 1991 – 1992

■Constructed, analyzed, and adjusted seasonal ladder plans for a variety of “Ready to Wear” businesses including Dresses, Suits, and Missy Sportswear.

■Initiated sales revisions in reaction to sales trends and buying strategies.

■Monitored new store sales and assigned similar store history to create accurate plans.

■Prepared and maintained dollar open to ship, which tied into Buyers availability and allocator's shipping plan.

Allocator 1988 - 1991

■Controlled receipt flow, mix, and quantity of store inventory.

■Analyzed store reports to develop shipping strategies by store, region, and climate.

■Responsible for replenishing and monitoring the availability of merchandise in stores.

■Assisted in new store projections and allocations based on model stocks.

Education:

BENTLEY UNIVERSITY, Waltham, MA B.S. Marketing A.S. Management

Contact this candidate