Brand Manager/Buyer Resumes in US-Ohio-Columbus/Zanesville: Rowena

Brand Manager/Buyer Resume

Contact Candidate

Name:

Rowena

Location:

US-Ohio-Columbus/Zanesville

Experience:

Most Recent Job Title:

Brand Manager/Buyer

Objective:

I am a results-oriented MBA with solid years of progressive positions in brand management and procurement capacities of diverse product categories in various channels of distribution. I have managed $20M-$800M business units with direct capabilities involving intensive synergies with R&D/regulatory/QA/vendors/licensors , custom new product development, market research collaboration has enable me to successfully lead collaborative cross-functional teams from concept to commercialization of product programs.
I am looking to join a dynamic and stable company in a Brand Manager/ Buyer/Merchandising Director capacity who welcomes and appreciates a self-starter with entrepreneurial thinking.

Resume Text:

.....Begin Resume Preview.....

ROWENA “WINNIE” B. STAHL

12966 Kilger Court, Pickerington, OH 43147

(614) 759-0307 home/(614) 360-8796 cell

crcjk1@yahoo.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/rstahl2009

SUMMARY: Results-oriented MBA with solid progressive responsibilities across diverse product categories in both product management and merchandise procurement functions. Includes overseas business (Asia) travel. Catalog, e-commerce, retail/grocery, direct selling, manufacturing, business-to-business, wholesale distribution.

Demonstrated strengths in:

>Analysis & Strategy/Tactical Planning

>Custom New Product Development

>Category/Brand Management >Project Management & Execution/Team Building

>Negotiation/Sourcing/Vendor Management

>Merchandise Marketing & Promotions

>New Business Development >Assortment Planning/Inventory Management

>Creative/Eye for Trend/Fashion

>Concept to Market Execution

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Oct 2005-Mar2009 Cheryl & Company, Westerville, OH

Subsidiary of 1-800-Flowers.com

SENIOR BUYER/ Supervisor, Merchandise Buying

Mar 2007-Mar2009

New product development, sourcing, procurement and inventory management of finished goods categories (food and non-food) to support $50 million gourmet gifts company with catalog, internet, retail store, business gift services and wholesale distribution. Two direct reports. President’s Club Awardee FY08. Consistent recipient of quarterly Extra Effort and Spirit of Achievement Awards.

Key contribution:

 Spearheaded 1800Flowers vendor competitive tin vendor RFQ bidding initiative. Prepared and processed bidding inputs and feedback, and oversaw company transition to new vendor. Resulted in 20% annual savings ($150k) on first year. Appointed 1800Flowers Category Manager in Jan.09 ($2M spend)

 Introduced and oversaw direct import buying in partnership with 1800-Flowers import support team that has enhanced company negotiating options and average annual cost savings of 40%.

 Planned and executed private labeling restage including introduction of standardized private labeling process, negotiated transition to turnkey merchandise and bidding out and identifying a printing company with in house design capabilities within an 8-month period. Average cost savings of 20%.

 Delivered actionable presentation of key industry and product/design/competitive market trends tracking and insights regularly utilized by Merchandising team in new programs; introduced $500k-$1M concepts.

 Developed strategy plan and analysis and took a lead in the executional support of growth opportunities leading to program launches: hand dip cookies($500k), hand decorated cookies ($6M), sports licensed products programs($10M), Martha Stewart project($5M)

MERCHANDISE & DESIGN MANAGER Oct 2005-Mar 2007

Responsible for seasonal and core gifts product assortment, including store floor set planogram and marketing. New product development including direct collaboration with in house Food Development director in launching new flavors and food products. Cross-functional team. Private labeling. Licensed merchandise.

Key contribution:

 Collaborated with key cross-team partners and introduced standard processes and procedures for new product development, time line calendars, and food quality assurance that resulted in cutting new product development lead time in half, error prevention, and quicker turnarounds with 100% on time performance.

 Introduced marketing programs such as vendor partnerships in doing product demos and promotions (beverage category), negotiated vendor participation in marketing events in the retail stores; provided test product/bundling initiatives in website through vendor and licensing partnerships

Dec 2004-Oct 2005

Aaron Brothers, Irving, TX

Subsidiary of Michaels Stores, Inc.

SENIOR BUYER, Photo Frames & Albums

Director level position managing two divisions with combined annual sales of $30 million for 165-store regional specialty retail chain. Two direct reports. 75% custom new product development for seasonal and

core merchandise with bi-annual overseas travel. Responsible for buying and merchandise assortment planning of categories. Negotiated advertising and promotional programs with key vendor partners. Included collaboration with cross-functional teams in sister brand, Michaels Stores.

Key contribution:

 Increased new product development penetration by 25% for the year with 90% exclusive products in $500k holiday program.

 Introduction of new product development time line and process with 100% productivity improvement, incremental import penetration, and quicker to market product differentiation.

 Provided category strategy, analysis, planning and execution focusing on gifting; new photo and document storage collection launched August05 and bridal/home décor marketing estimated sales growth of 20%.

 Delivered new test product styles in 2005 that have rolled out to all stores slated to deliver $500k in annual incremental sales for 2006.

Apr 2003-Dec 2004

H-E-B Grocery Company, San Antonio, TX

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, Seasonal Gifts & Home Décor

Combined product/merchandising manager and buyer/sourcing manager role for $20 million seasonal general merchandise business. Focus on exclusive product development working directly with Asian vendors with bi-annual overseas travel. Annual average of over 1,000 SKUs. One direct report. Managed summer intern and store management trainee.

Categories: seasonal home décor & tabletop, stationery, home fragrance, photo frames and albums, home décor, jewelry & accessories, party/paper goods, ladies/cosmetics accessories/bags, kids gifts

Key contribution:

 Created strategy and successfully launched test brand new business for the company that was forecasted to earn $250K in sales on its first year in two stores; full roll out August 2005 estimated $1M annual

 Developed strategy to revamp $9MM religious candle business that included price reduction and quality control improvements resulting in a +5% increase in annual business margin ($200k)

 Introduced private label brand product development process of seasonal programs. Worked with design company in development of branding logo an negotiated seamless transition with core vendors.

 Received Recognition Award from H-E-B International Sourcing committee for 10% increase in import business from 2003 holiday program and 2004 new initiatives.

Jan1996 to Apr 2003

Bath & Body Works, Reynoldsburg, Ohio

The Limited Group of Companies

PRODUCT MANAGER, Core Toiletries-Commercialization 2001-2003

PRODUCT MANAGER, Core Toiletry & Home Frag Gifts 2001

Defined strategy and developed new products programs to market for $800 million business segment. Led cross-functional team in Ohio, New York and New Jersey locations. Oversaw market research and product testing including P&L analysis. Provided launch material direction for in-store merchandising/floor sets and product marketing. Served as department liaison to outside PR agency.

 Executed product line restage (300 SKUs) in Fall 2002 -new product formulation and package labeling.

 Revamped Holiday 2002 gift trend programs resulting in sales increase of +17% vs. LY

 Oversaw gift sets business aside from toiletries with reorganization involving 100% on time completion of 2002 programs and on-the-job training of Assistant Product Manager.

 Initiated and implemented new fragrance launch strategy including store merchandising and marketing resulting in 100% successful program introduction.

PRODUCT MANAGER, Gifts & Accessories 1996-2001

Drove day-to-day operations of $200 million multi-brand gifts business from concept inception to exit planning. Took leadership role in multi-functional team. Annual average of 800 SKUs..

Sub-brands: Core Toiletries, Aromatherapy, Art Stuff Kids, Joyful Garden prestige.

Served as sourcing buyer for 2 years until business volume developed this role into a separate function. Traveled overseas to negotiate and develop products.

Hard goods: home décor,ceramics, glass, wood, MDF, paper, basketry, resin, edibles

Soft goods: travel/evening bags, samplers; vinyl, mixed material fabrication

Toiletries & Home Fragrance: trial sizes, customized soaps.

 Expanded gift business through strategic seasonal plush programs, gift certificate vehicle promotion, and exclusive-to-gifts toiletry/accessories resulting in average +6% incremental annual sales.

 Created marketing plan and executed successful launch of first baby gift line with first year sales of $10 million; received Bath & Body Works 4-H performance Award for this accomplishment

 Developed new procedures that solved discrepant product tracking issues between hangtag marketing and gift sets in the assembly centers. Eliminated manual re-work and pricing errors.

1990-1996

Avon Products, New York, New York

PRODUCT MANAGER, Core Toiletries 1995-1996

PRODUCT MANAGER, Children's Gifts & Toiletries 1993-1995

PRODUCT MANAGER, Collectibles/Tabletop/Men's Gifts 1991-1993

ASST PRODUCT MANAGER, Hair/Sun /Personal Care 1990-1991

Managed, developed and sourced key gift and toiletry segments, including licensed products. Responsible for P&L. Traveled overseas (Asia) for new product development and buying functions. $50-$100M businesses.

 Expanded brand licensed programs-negotiated The Flintstones and The Muppets accounts; developed Babysitters Club, Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers licensed merchandise. $10M incremental.

 Developed Brookstone brand products program for Sawyer's Men's catalog with $8 million first year sales. Introduced and expanded Lionel Trains collectible items to $10 million annual business.

 Official company liaison to 800-member Avon Collectibles Club, involving coordination of bi-annual promotional events, program presentations and monthly newsletter article contribution.

 Re-aligned year-round merchandising promotional programs for Sun Care and Foot Care lines, resulting in combined annual sales increase of +12%.

1987-1990

Marymount University Center for Counseling & Career Services, Arlington, VA

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

Developed marketing programs for the center.

Previous Overseas Location Work Experience:

Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Makati, Philippines

ASSISTANT ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS MANAGER

Developed and executed TV, radio and print ad programs. National and local PR. Corporate and branch.

EDUCATION

MBA, Major in Marketing, Marymount University, Arlington VA

Full Scholar; Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society

B.S. Management, Major in Marketing, Ateneo de Manila University, Phils.

Dean's List

Proficient in Microsoft Office WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT

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