Seasoned Professional

Mark C. McKeen

**** ********* **. *********, ** *8197

Ph 610-***-****

A solid background with over twenty years of varied merchandising experience. Proven ability to recognize and capitalize on market trends. Ability to successfully identify superior sell through products and react with a sense of urgency. Hands-on Manager. Dependable, self motivated, team player with a strong work ethic and a history of highly successful relationships with vendors and colleagues.

Al Serra Auto Plaza Grand Blanc, MI 05/07 – 05/08

Sales Associate

Responsible for selling General Motors brand cars to interested customers.

Anthill Trading, Ltd New York, NY 09/03-12/06

PURCHASING MANAGER

Managed all aspects of purchasing for this licensor of music and entertainment properties.

Responsible for forecasting and maintaining appropriate inventory levels for licensed properties with sales in access of $24M for the wholesale and website division.

Ability to anticipate and initiate a swift response to rapidly changing trends.

Executed inventory control criteria to ensure minimal overstock.

Managed tour merchandise for multiple licenses, which include purchasing raw goods, scheduling production and shipping finished products to various venues throughout the USA and Canada for very time sensitive events.

Proven ability to meet deadlines, work within a budget, resolve issues and increase profits.

M n’ M Sales and Marketing, Inc. West Chester, PA 11/95-09/03

Proprietor

Developed and established a sales and marketing company representing various manufacturers in the selling of their goods throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Managed all aspects of the business including sales, accounting, customer service, account management and client relations.

Established innovative sales techniques to place merchandise into various markets including major retail accounts (Charming Shops, Hechinger’s) specialty shops (Museum, Gift, Toy) and educational institutes (libraries, schools).

Consistently met and exceeded monthly and quarterly sales forecasts and progressively gained additional territory.

Won several awards including Sales Rep of the Year and consistently ranked in the top 3 nationally

in sales with Penguin Putnam Publishing.

QVC, Inc. West Chester, PA 09/94-10/95

BUYER, Entertainment

Responsible for purchasing, managing and supervising the entertainment department, which was a new division for the company.

Successfully managed and maintained $40M of annual open to buy dollars.

Responsible for evaluating and purchasing various merchandise including apparel, CD’s, video and miscellaneous products for entertainment and licensed properties (Coca Cola, Star Wars, Star Trek, Barbie, Rolling Stones) etc.

Actively participated in direct negotiations with record labels, talent agents and promotion managers to secure high profile on air guests.

Coordinated on-air programs in conjunction with producers, planners, show hosts and the legal department.

Established new show categories, (inspirational, authors) which resulted in increased revenue.

Maintained a high level of coordination and cooperation with accounts payable, quality control, warehouse and vendors to insure the timely availability of product flow.

Mark McKeen

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Brockum Global Merchandising, Inc. Allentown, PA 05/93- 09/94

PURCHASING MANAGER

Manage all aspects of purchasing for this licensor of music and entertainment properties (over 100).

Sourced, negotiated, and purchased materials for producing various merchandise (apparel and accessories).

Responsible for forecasting raw goods and maintaining product levels for the wholesale, mail order and tour divisions.

Maintained inventory control and daily production schedules.

Negotiated national contract with knitting mill which reduced raw goods cost by 13% for the 1994

Pink Floyd and Rolling Stones national tours.

Consistently succeeded in developing new resources, insuring excellent margins and high quality.

Established and developed a complete private label program which expanded the product line substantially.

Established an off-shore business relationship, which increased profit margins by 33%.

Musicland, Inc. Minneapolis, MN 11/79- 04/93

BUYER, Trend Merchandise

Responsible for the selection and purchasing of licensed properties (music, motion picture, television) and general merchandise (novelty) for this 1100 + chain store.

Was consistently promoted throughout my fourteen years of employment and ultimately to the trend buyer position.

Trend Buyer (08/87-04/93)

Managed and supervised the buying for three departments: apparel, paper and novelty products. Successfully managed and maintained approximately $15M open to buy dollars annually.

Ability to respond swiftly to capitalize on rapidly growing trends.

Executed extensive gross margin analysis and successful markdown strategies.

Formulated pricing strategies and allocation of products to achieve maximum chain wide sales.

Established excellent relationships with colleagues, vendors and staff at all levels.

Responsible for financial reports, advertising allowances and forecasting of sales.

Store Manager (05/85- 07/87 Edina, MN

Was promoted to the highest volume Musicland in Minnesota. While under my management in 1986, the stores annual volume exceeded a million dollars for the first time. I was also responsible for merchandising, scheduling and financial reporting, including profit and loss.

Store Manager (07/83- 05/85) Burnsville, MN

Increased sales by 20% the first year. Received highest merit bonus in the district in 1984. Trained and promoted three employees which resulted in management positions for each.

Management Trainee (11/79- 07/83) Mankato, MN

Was consistently in the top ten in the companies’ national commission rankings.

Computer Skills:

WindowsXP, Outlook, QuickBooks, Word, Excel

Reference:

Exceptional work references provided upon request.

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