Jason Mandrup: Director of Merchandising in Huntington Beach, CA

• Grew top-line sales in the past 4 years. Up 9% in 2016, 27% in 2017, 14% in 2018 and 24% in 2019 bringing in over $28M in sales. • Mentored and developed the merchandise team to have consistent sales performance, resulting in attaining and surpassing annual plans. • Analyzed current and historical data to understand and identify risk and opportunities, influencing the team with strategies to build comp growth for future seasons. • Leveraged relationships with existing vendors to gain deeper discounts and longer terms delivering greater margin and cash flow. • Forecasted sales plans, inventory levels, markdowns, margin, and turn. • Created buying specific reporting and OTB, giving the team the information and tools needed to make best-informed decisions. • Collaborated with Marketing, VP, President, and CEO in implementing campaigns on all three sales channels (brick and mortar, native website, and Amazon). • Was a key role in adapting and applying the department's forecasting tool, warehouse management system, and Netsuite ERP system.

• Responsible for assorting and presenting trend-right products to senior management ensuring that the seasonal plans were achieved. • Oversaw and guided the art team through the entire design process from concept to the final product. • Continually presented a clear strategic vision based on the previous look and feel of the company and where it wanted to go in the future. • Established an annual merchandising calendar transforming the department from being behind schedule to beating deadlines to meet the retailer's needs. • Partnered closely with product development, sales, and marketing teams to evaluate concepts and identify marketing strategies to support company initiatives. • Worked with manufacturers to negotiate the best costing, MOQ’s and lead times to hit product launch dates.

• Helped grow the company from 24 stores to over 200 stores and e-commerce with consistent and strong sell-thru rates. • Ownership of categories that were $35+ million in sales: built and maintained merchandise plans and key-item programs that supported financial, merchandising, and marketing objectives. • Managed OTB to hit sales plans and proper inventory levels. • Negotiated vendor discounts, markdowns, and RTV's. • Coordinated with cross-functional partners to ensure company initiatives were executed in-store, on the website and social channels. • Supervised, coached, trained, and guided associate buyers, assistant buyers, and administrative assistants.

• Grew the business to a $4+ million department with consistent positive increase year over year. • Managed OTB, relationship building with vendors, negotiated terms and pricing, controlled inventory levels, and upheld sales margins. • Trained, developed, and supported Assistant Buyer.

• Assisted buyers with all data entry of purchase orders and filing.

• Managed two different locations with an employee base of 25-60 based on seasonality.