Arthur Garcia: Senior Planner, Retail & e-Commerce

at U.S. Polo Association ? Develop and lead the top down planning product strategy for all areas of Men's that support the financial, marketing and merchandising objectives of the brand for both channels; Men's represents 65% of total company sales and inventory and total Ecommerce represents 15%. Use analysis of historical data and forecasting to execute and create allocation strategies that drive optimal sales, gross margin and inventory turn. Develop geographic strategies by region and implement at the store level, identify risk and opportunity and develop markdown strategies. Responsible for creating buys each season and ensure optimal stock levels for Core product down to the SKU/color/size. Prepare for and lead monthly OTB to align with current business. Create and publish key company sales reports; weekly, monthly and season. ? Pre-season collaborate with Merchants to formulate a comprehensive product assortment strategy that aligns financial, unit inventory and IMU/GM forecast plans, In-season actualize and analyze current performance to plan and re-project sales and inventory weekly/monthly based on results and Post season reconcile and hind-sight to look beyond the everyday business and look for opportunities that maximize future sales potential. ? Provide Merchant counter-parts the tools to help analyze business enabling them to make financially acceptable decisions and investments. Clearly communicate store and allocation strategy to ensure alignment and understand Merchant vision. Manage and balance workload for two Allocation Planners, exhibit positive leadership, increase and share my knowledge with direct reports and support career growth to ensure retention.

? Develop, execute and communicate strategic merchandise financial plans and strategies that support the merchandising and financial objectives of the company. Create pre-season sales, margin and inventory plans by department to support product and financial strategies. Review with the manager. ? Analyze historical data and current trends to recap business. Work to identify risks and opportunities by department and by class. In partnership with manager, create strategies to align inventory with Merchant partners. ? Present forecasts and action plans in open-to-buy meetings. In partnership with the manager, create an action plan based on forecast and lead discussions to management and cross-functional teams. Hindsight to VP, Planning and Merchandising in-season & post-season performance by category.

Suits and Evening Separates ? Plan and manage merchandise inventory position at the store level and e-Commerce to drive departmental sales, inventory, profit and turnover objectives. 2014 comp results; sales +10%, GM% +110 bps and met EOS stock plan and turn rate. ? Ensure best practices for assortment Planning and approve monthly Allocations by Assistant Planners, evaluate purchase order placement activity and revisions as well as review case pack and order flow recommendations. ? OTB management monthly and purchase order placement to ensure appropriate flow of goods that tie back to sales and receipt targets ? Manage and develop two Assistant Planners through strong leadership and problem solving skills, adaptability/flexibility and initiative.

Reported to the VP of Planning; Recruited to launch West Elm Outlet and created the Planning and Allocation model that supported the financial, merchandising and growth strategy for this new concept. Construct sales plans, retail, cost, margin and inventory elements. ? Own monthly OTB and present to the Director of Inventory and Director of Merchandising: current and future sales forecast, inventory, turn, MMU and growth opportunity. ? Build valid and impactful Allocation system parameters that support the replenishment system to optimize and standardize flow of inventory to stores. WILLIAMS-SONOMA HOME Division at WILLIAMS-SONOMA INC. (San Francisco, CA) Merchandise Planner Decorative Accessories, Lighting and Functional Accessories ? Develop department financial merchandise plans in conjunction with the Buyer to company OTB/rolling forecast. ? Review Visual floor sets to insure appropriate inventory in-stock requirements. ? Review potential inventory liabilities and take appropriate actions to bring quantity to a desired level. ? Develop and provide appropriate business analysis to influence future purchases and assortment strategies.

? Supported a Senior Buyer in all aspects of production, product development and assortment selection for Decorative Accessories. ? Forecasted and analyzed sales as well as assisted with the operation of the department and planned future business. ? Communicated with multiple vendors to give clear direction of new product development, price negotiations and product testing.

Reported to Director of Distribution for GAP Europe - U.K., France and Germany. Managed and drove the financial success of the Men's European business through strategic distribution strategies and inventory turn goals. Consistently analyzed sales and margin, communicated location performance, new store and new product performance and initiated strategies to respond to developing trends and improve profitability. Developed best strategies for pre-packing inventory at the purchase order level, size and inventory balancing within multiple pools of inventory and distribution centers.