Sales Product Development

Patricia Keating

*** ***** *****

Edgewater, New Jersey 07020

(201) 697 209

E-mail: ***********@*******.***

SENIOR BUYER

Enterprising Senior Buyer with outstanding success in creating and accelerating revenue growth through innovative strategies and efficient merchandise planning. Adept at analyzing and identifying trends, negotiating and closing major contracts, and developing and monitoring business relationships at the highest levels. A gifted communicator and strong team leader with a track record of coordinating effectively with a wide range of sources to achieve set goals and targets.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Brand Repositioning

Creative Conceptualization

Relationship Management

Product Development

Category Analysis

Merchandising Strategy

Staff Development & Leadership

OTB Management

Strong Negotiation Skills

Profit & Loss / Budgeting

Trend Analysis & Forecasting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LESTER’S, GREENVALE, NY (2011-PRESENT)

DIVISIONAL MERCHANDISE MANAGER

1 RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN’S AREA, INFANT THROUGH GIRLS 7-14. A 20 MILLION DOLLAR DEPARTMENT.

2. 3 BUYERS AND 2 ASSISTANT BUYERS, AS WELL AS A PLANNER ARE UNDER MY DIRECTION

3. SUCCESSFULLY MOVING THE CHAIN FORWARD BY CONTROLLING THE OPEN TO BUY PROCESS, DIRECTION OF PRODUCT SELECTION, AND THE VISUAL MERCHANDISING OF MY AREAS.

4. Responsible for developing and executing a profitable, customer-focused merchandising strategy, while enhancing the overall department, group and company strategy.

NEW YORK TRENDS, RED BANK, NJ (2007 - 2011)

President / Owner / Buyer

Utilized a combination of savvy business skills and in-depth knowledge of the fashion retail industry to open and operate a boutique targeting young women.

1 Employed expert analytical and negotiation skills to conduct comprehensive due diligence and structure the deal for the successful purchase of a trendy young woman’s boutique.

2 Spearheaded overall operations for fast-track growth by launching revitalization plan, including restructuring the merchandise mix, improving brand strategies, and creating advertising / marketing campaigns.

3 Handled all buying and merchandising.

JONES APPAREL GROUP, White Plains, NY (2005 - 2006)

Senior Buyer Women’s Career and Casual Large Size Sportswear & Accessories

Responsible for setting the strategic course and leading a team of professionals in the development and execution of comprehensive, measurable merchandising plans that met and aligned with the goals and objectives of the Jones of New York Retail business.

1 Grew the chain from inception to 15 stores with a plan in place for 25 stores by the second quarter 2006.

2 Directed and developed the buyer / merchandising bench strength necessary to support the women’s plus size concept in a growing organization through effective training, coaching, and mentoring.

3 Consistently sought out new resources to broaden merchandise mix and pursued creative methods of seeking out desired merchandise.

4 Utilized keen business acumen to create annual and seasonal financial plans and budgets to grow sales and drive margins.

5 Built and maintained relationships with all suppliers ensuring mutual, respectful partnerships.

6 Cultivated a collaborative environment internally with Management and all support departments.

7 Developed and planned visuals to support merchandise and drive brand.

8 Determined, along with planner, compelling promotional strategies for the stores targeting new and current customers.

CHARMING SHOPPES, Bensalem, PA (2002 - 2004)

Senior Buyer / Merchandiser - Dresses

Responsible for setting the current and future merchandise strategy, determining assortment selection, creating pricing strategy, and identifying promotional for 600 stores with sales in excess of $70M.

1 Utilized strong business judgment and a track record of successful negotiations to restructure vendor matrix, increase IMU, and increase percentage of product development to the total resulting in a 2 point gross margin increase in 2003 and 3 point increase in the spring of 2004.

2 Mentored and inspired a talented team of 4 direct reports by fostering synergy and creativity while rewarding performance excellence.

3 Partnered with senior planner to ensure product assortments allowed team to meet sales and margin goals.

4 Collaborated with product development team to source and assort product unique to corporate brand image.

5 Orchestrated visual presentation of the department within the stores and oversaw advertising.

6 Served as a key contributor to the strategic and financial planning efforts of the business.

7 Delivered quarterly product presentations to Senior Leadership and Board Members with recommendations on how to maintain market leadership position and to sustain profit growth.

DRESS BARN CORP., Suffern, NY (1997 - 2002)

Buyer – Dresses and Suits

Responsible for applying high level strategic thinking, product expertise, competitive intelligence to develop, execute and continually refine merchandising strategy for a $48M dress and $11M suit department.

1 Drove dress sales from $30M in 1997 to $48M in 2002, with fewer stores, while maintaining gross margin percent through the successful restructuring of vendor matrix, negotiating for stronger promotions, increasing private label and product development, as well as, amplifying the penetration of social and special occasion dresses and suits.

2 Provided sound leadership to associate buyers and clerical staff in the creation of plans for purchases, communications, and implementation of controls for merchandise selection.

3 Teamed with planning and allocation to maximize sales and profits through intensification of distribution based on color, style and size needs by store and region to assure visual accuracy.

CATO CORP., Charlotte, NC (1989 - 1997)

Buyer – Dresses

Responsible for full buying and planning for $30 million dress department.

1 Increased sales from $15M to $30M by adding classifications to the woman's dress offerings (casual dresses, woman's petite, and social occasion), planning and buying for more promotions yearly, as well as, strong opening price point assortment.

2 Directed vendor selection and applied strong negotiation skills in both domestic and import markets.

3 Managed and motivated a staff of three to ensure effective performance and growth.

4 Recognized for superior performance with the Buyer of the Year award in 1993 and 1994.

Education: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, N.Y

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