Julie Kim-Whinston: Premiere online interior design services and marketplace in San Francisco, CA

Category Buyer - Home Décor ? Developed and executed key business assortment strategies to support our unique and growing Marketplace with our direct vendors and retailer partners. ? Responsible for the category management of Home Decor categories, identifying key actions to help drive conversion, reduce operational costs, and increase vendor promotional partnerships. ? Initiated deep dives of data analytics to understand sku, category and vendor performances to increase conversion and AUR/ATV goals. ? Monitored competitive landscape for new growth opportunities in product, pricing, in stock availability and customer reviews. ? Managed KPI returns and cancellations reporting and led cross-functional meetings to review key actions to improve internal processes and increase visibility of vendor scorecards. ? Onboarded critical new vendor partners while maintaining strong relationships with our current vendor community.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA MAR 2020 - DEC 2021 Earth friendly home cleaning products SAP Master Data - Project Manager for PLM & ECC ? Managed SJC Lifestyles business brands (Method, Babyganics, Ecover and Ms. Meyers US & CAN brands) and workflow of new (NPD) and transitional products in SAP for commercialization; completing the lifecycle of product from draft/active to discontinued/obsolete. ? Verified data integrity and timely data transfer across all systems including SAP PLM and SAP ECC while ensuring data consistency and accuracy. ? Established and revised data governance rules, instituting standard validation activities, as well as ensuring proper change management practices from active through to discontinued/obsolete records. ? Identified process improvements, collaborating regularly with various teams to develop solutions for optimized data entry, identifying process triggers to facilitate efficient hand off to subsequent teams. ? Collaborated with business process owners and PMOs to ensure timely NPD tasks and milestones were completed in Workfront project management and product data attributes were updated in SAP.

Product Development Director - Mattress & Soft Goods Categories ? Directed the product development and sourcing process for mattress and soft goods categories. ? Worked closely with design and merchandising to research and develop materials, foam qualities and technical specifications that aligned with the overall design direction and sourcing strategy. ? Executed detailed cost engineering analysis and negotiation tactics to secure best ex-factory costs and maximize internal gross margins. ? Reviewed and analyzed all RFQ documents for opportunities to reduce costs at the raw material level of subcomponents in addition to understanding labor, construction and packaging costs. ? Created and implemented all new product innovation (NPI) timelines including raw material development, final design specs, proto-typing, compliance testing and manufacturing schedules. ? Strategized pre-season sourcing direction and executed final development, sourcing and manufacturing plans with all US and global vendors. ? Provided category assortment recommendations to Merchandising for best product design, performance, lead times and ex-factory targets. ? Partnered with procurement and planning teams on best end of life strategy, ramp up plans, ideal safety stock minimums, replenishment volume versus capacity and new product launch needs. ? Reviewed all CFR and other CSPC regulatory testing necessary with the compliance team. ? Worked closely with merchandising, design, operations, compliance, manufacturing, logistics, marketing and finance to build and produce top of the line mattresses in a box.

Responsible for all front and back end of the product cycle, which included: merchandising, product development, production and sales of camping chairs and mats, backpacks, tents, cooking utensils and pet accessories. ? Responsible for building out the strategic sales plan and positioning the company to meet their annual sales goal and long-term growth around core products. ? Partnered with the design team to develop product lines based on sales historical reporting, opportunities in the competitive landscape and unique product innovations. ? Worked closely with the design team on fabric development on core fabrics and print developments. ? Managed and negotiated with all overseas factories to improve or meet our target costs for the upcoming season. ? Determined all pricing structures to meet internal margin targets and averaged above our target by 3-5%.

? Responsible for the strategic sourcing of the main bed and bath category, overall 70% of total business. ? Communicated all sourcing needs to overseas agents/vendors for seasonal product placement and development needs. ? Negotiated costs based on shared fabric bases, programs and re-orders, based on cotton price fluctuations. ? Helped manage raw material purchase orders to help reduce overall costs at the greige and yarn levels for core programs.

(Contract) ? Managed the seasonal fabric and wash developments of the Women's Bottoms line. ? Collaborated with design and product management to ensure that core and seasonal fabric platforms meet sourcing and financial metrics. ? Ensured new developments meet design aesthetics, pass fabric and garment testing, cost-engineer when possible and provide sourcing alternatives.

SAN LEANDRO, CA JULY 2006 - JAN 2009 Technical Outerwear And Sportswear Brand For The Outdoor Industry Product Line Manager for Tekware and Sportswear Lines ? Responsible for managing the $45M Lifestyle line and then the $60M Men's Tekware line, successfully achieved new margin goals through improved costing by 3%. ? Successfully grew the Women's and Men's Lifestyle (cotton based) line to include Women's Active Stretch, Adventure Travel and the Preserve lines to strategically capture new market share and increase sales. ? Increased EU's business by 15% and Asia's business by 35%, due to heightened consumer brand recognition and development of regionally specific products. ? Heavily researched competitive landscape for product trends, sourcing strategies and market share gains within and outside outdoor industries