Purchasing executive

LESLIE BERGER

***** **** ********* **. # *** • La Mirada, CA 90638 • H: 562-***-**** • C: 310-***-****

e-mail: *********@*****.*** • http://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieberger

Senior level purchasing executive in both brick and mortar and ecommerce companies. Multifaceted and driven professional that has a passion for analyzing business needs, negotiating skills, evaluating requirements for new business opportunities and develop a formal, effective marketing environment using state-of-the-art methods.

• Leveraged ability to recognize and capitalize on market trends and impact bottom-line through strategic planning, pricing, market research and forecasting

• Creative problem solver; with ability to drive revenue growth, resolve conflicts, improve morale and consistently exceed profit goals

• Thrive in both independent and collaborative work environments

Procurement & Purchasing • Sourcing & Buying Planning • Client & Vendor Relations Management • Supply Chain Management • Financial Management • Sales • Pricing Agreement Negotiations • Operations Management • Market Trend Analysis • Business Development • Team Management

Professional Experience

RED ROCK PRODUCTS, INC, ANAHEIM, CA Jan 2011 – May 2011

Sr. Buyer

Managed and expanded product offerings for privately owned e-tailer with multiple websites, including Amazon and eBay. # 1 ranked website for insoles on Google. Searched for new suppliers to strengthen categories and maintain competitiveness in the industry. Categories included fitness products, yoga accessories, footwear and swim products.

Key Accomplishments:

• Established new vendor relationships with 6 new suppliers

• Converted credit card payments to terms with 10 suppliers

• Updated adwords in database to drive traffic to sites

• Increased the Fulfilled by Amazon offerings to increase our profits by 5%

99 CENTS ONLY STORES, COMMERCE, CA 2008 –2009

Buyer

Developed and expanded the Housewares, Home Decor and Party Goods categories for 280 stores in 4 states. Partnered with brand name suppliers to expand the customer base. Developed new business opportunities to enhance sales and profits.

Key Accomplishments:

• Increased profits on imported holiday products by 17%

• Through cold calling, was able to purchase nationally recognized brands at closeout prices

• Established new vendor relationships with over 12 new vendors

• Championed business relationships with Chinese factories to develop private label goods

• Created weekly ads with the marketing department

• Followed Federal and State regulations to ensure products met safety regulations

SITOA CORPORATION, SAN MATEO, CA 2005 – 2008

Merchandise Director/Senior Buyer

Conceptualized, developed and managed several categories for an online retail distributor startup company. Sourced new suppliers to build complete and compelling categories and worked with major retailers to sell these products online. Categories included For the Home, Home Décor, Gift Baskets, Gourmet Foods, Pet accessories and food, Decorative Gifts, Holiday products, Sporting Goods, Jewelry and Health & Beauty products.

Key Accomplishments:

• Propelled business from $100K to $850K and increased gross margin to 12% in 1 year

• Merchandised “Christmas in July” holiday promotion which generated $50K in sales

• Orchestrated seven new product categories on multiple websites

• On boarded 300 new suppliers who agreed to drop ship

• Loaded 2500 new products into the database

THE VAN GROUP, ONTARIO, CA 2002 – 2005

Operations Manager

Partnered with the VP of National and Key Accounts to build a new giftware division to $15 million.

Key Accomplishments:

• Instituted EDI computer program for National Accounts order processing

• Created an allocation and inventory reserve program for National, Key and catalogue accounts eliminating out-of-stocks

• Sold closeouts to off-price retailers

• Negotiated best prices for National Account orders, with 3 overseas factories

• Championed business relations with Chinese factories

KALAMA BEACH CORPORATION, TORRANCE, CA 1999 – 2001

Buyer

Orchestrated the buying and merchandising the gift, bath and children's section in 23 hotel gift shops nationwide. These hotels included: The Four Seasons, The Regent, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Westin, Marriott and Hilton.

Key Accomplishments:

• Reduced store inventory by negotiating lower minimums with suppliers for reorders

• Conceptualized, planned and instituted three new and five remodeled store set-ups

• Negotiated free freight, discounts and annual rebates with five major suppliers

SHOPPING.COM, IRVINE, CA 1998 – 1999

Sr. Merchant

Created a giftware department for an e-commerce internet company in the following categories: gifts, collectibles, fragrances, arts & crafts, luggage, clocks and tabletop.

Key Accomplishments:

• Bolstered sales to $500K in first half of year

• Negotiated drop ship programs with many suppliers to fulfill customer orders

• Developed monthly, quarterly and annual budgets for the Home Division by department

FEDCO, INC., SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 1986 – 1998

Buyer

Championed a $25 million business that included decorative accessories, holiday products, tabletop, giftware, housewares, bath accessories, As Seen on TV, table linens, plastics, gadgets and closet accessories.

Key Accomplishments:

• Created a $15 million gift department and increased $10 million in category responsibility

• Achieved 20% sales growth and 15% profit growth

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing

CUNY Baruch College, NY

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