Experienced Buyer

**** ****** ****** *****, ** *****

PHONE 720-***-****

E-MAIL ************@*****.***

MELISSA M. HAYNES

OBJECTIVE

To leverage my 13+ years of experience in retail buying, customer service, marketing, business analysis and management to propel my career as a Bridal gown buyer with David’s Bridal.

EMPLOYMENT

September 2009 - Present eBags.com Denver, CO

Merchandise Manager, Handbags and Accessories

Launched and managed new Fashion Accessories category by cultivating 40+ brand relationships. Assumed all start-up responsibilities including: brand acquisition, establishing vendor matrix, drop ship set up, brand/SKU forecasting, creative marketing, SEO, and strategic launch efforts. Identify industry wide trends to engage customer and grow business.

Re-ignited the Evening Bag and Wallet categories to successfully grow to +28% LY. Negotiated brand promotions, creative emails and off-price opportunities to drive plus sales.

July 2008 – April 2009 Zappos.com Henderson, NV

Asst. Buyer 3, Comfort and Slippers Category

Drove $52MM portfolio by balancing stock/sales to improve merchandise turn, analyzed best selling product daily for quick re-order, reacted to worst selling product by swiftly editing re-orders and negotiating vendor allowances, gained product exclusivity in order to increase market share and product offering point of difference.

Improved terms with five top vendors to improve company cash flow and profitability.

Negotiated additional 83% advertising co-op in 2009 by increasing vendor participation.

Managed all functions of the web retail business including: product set up, assortment planning, product markdown strategy, search functionality, trend watch, and new vendor set up.

Developed strong partnerships with vendors to increase business results.

June 2006 – May 2008 Brown Shoe Company St. Louis, MO

Buyer, Naturalizer Women’s Shoes

Managed all functions of the buying office independently including: assortment planning, OTB, PO management, stock and sales maintenance, store visual, markdown strategy, sales tracking, RTV, re-buys, field education, product development while maintaining great vendor relationships.

Drove brand marketing by producing six annual catalogs. Managed all related functions including: sample processing, proofing, strategy presentation and pagination.

Trained to be brand host for QVC.

May 2005 – May 2006 Pier 1 Imports Fort Worth, TX

Product Development Buyer and Catalog Project Manager

Led launch of premier catalog division. Coordinated efforts of all contributing departments to effectively meet deadlines, manage sales projections and in-stock positioning on featured goods, and maintain strategic marketing goals. Managed 500+ SKUs with annual distribution of 15M.

Instituted procedures to maximize productivity for catalog stock/sales tracking, product selection, marketing pagination and wall review meetings, and post-catalog sales analysis.

Re-vamped top-line category, “Special Finds”, by identifying key market trends and developing new buying strategy. Traveled extensively overseas to develop products with factories. Developed all aspects of product line from conception to in-store delivery and promotion.

Spear-headed a Profit Improvement Committee to help company reach profitability goals.

December 2003 – April 2005 May Merchandising Company St. Louis, MO

Corporate Buyer –Home Textiles

Led merchandise strategy direction for Home Textiles business for the May Company Department Stores, 367 doors, $110+ MM annual sales volume. Effectively steered regional buyers to support corporate direction through presentations and prepared analysis.

Negotiated with vendors corporately to secure May Company exclusive merchandise programs at best costs and gross margin.

Developed proprietary product lines for Home Textile business, 15% TTL business. Partnered with design team to determine exclusive designs. Negotiated sharp pricing with guaranteed margins from suppliers. Tracked product from conception to exit strategy.

Drove sales promotional strategy for business by negotiating six corporate direct mail vehicles annually.

Identified new sales opportunities with existing and new vendors to reflect a balanced assortment of volume drivers, key ideas, and leadership styles. .

July 2002 – December 2003 May Merchandising Company St. Louis, MO

Assistant Corporate Buyer /Assistant Market Representative - Cosmetics

Responsible for identifying growth opportunities and key item strategies within top cosmetic brands.

Negotiated all aspects of corporate media planning to include co-op funding and sales promotion

strategy including exclusive May Company Magalog.

Developed exclusive cosmetic promotional items. Managed all aspects of project including: design, cost negotiation, marketing, logistics, and sales promotion/tracking.

Drove Shiseido cosmetics sales +11% by negotiating “Back To School” sales associate contest.

Awarded Assistant Market Representative of the Year – 2003, Assistant Market Representative of the 4th Quarter – 2002.

April 2000 – July 2002 Meier & Frank Portland, OR

Buyer –Men’s Fragrances

Drove plus-volume in $9.2MM Men’s Fragrance business in 15 top MAY Company Cosmetic doors. Planned and executed sales, stock and advertising plan for 52 brands.

Grew profitability by negotiating gross margin and advertising allowance from key vendors.

Successfully grew the number one fragrance, Aqua Di Gio, to +35% incremental volume by aggressively negotiating promotional stock and advertising. Achieved number one performance in May Company.

Managed and developed assistant buyer, buyer clerical, and seven regional cosmetic coordinators.

December 1999 – April 2000 Meier & Frank Vancouver, WA

Area Sales Manager –Women’s Sportswear

Led, trained, and managed team of 11 sales associates in fastest growing store department.

Increased sales by creating sales goal and customer service incentive programs.

Managed physical flow of goods and merchandised assortment to visually attract traffic to department

April 1998 – December 1999 Meier & Frank Portland, OR

Assistant Buyer, Cosmetics

MAY Company Executive Training Program, June 1998

Assisted buyer in financial planning, class planning, order distribution, tracking shipping, and developing merchandise and sales promotion strategies.

Independently bought Origins Cosmetics and drove +10% by creating employee incentive program.

EDUCATION

1997 Portland State University Portland, OR

B.S. – Social Science

¬Team Captain 1995-1997, PSU Cross Country and Track and Field

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