katryn wild: Operations Consultant in Encinitas, CA

Founded and manages business consulting and sales firm supporting small businesses as they enter national retail and e-commerce markets for the first time; able to secure clients 30% grow in sales to date. Work directly with client leadership to determine feasibility and strategies for new product introductions, analyze specific markets to determine consumer needs, existing competition, and viable retail partners, and draft optimized product launch and marketing strategies to capture market share. Guide strategic marketing programs, utilize marketing and sales metrics to identify effective messaging and visual merchandizing, develop complimentary product categories, and train clients on effective cross- and up-selling techniques. Spearhead retailer relationships, partner with stakeholders to negotiate terms and conditions for new and existing items, develop new relationships at various industry trade shows and international meetings, manage communication via phone and email, and work closely to identify and resolve issues with products and sales; built strong working relationships that enabled improved pricing and favorable terms when needed. Lead relations and communications between client and retailers, develop strategic plans for future merchandize needs and programs, plan and implement marketing strategies, maintain quality standards, and guide client leadership; analyze buying patterns, regularly review KPI’s, including sales, returns, and discount levels, and forecast future trends and sales. Oversee special purchasing programs, review pricing and product specifications, lead pricing process, work with team of global clients to review quality and in store and online feasibility, select and market products, and negotiate costs and volumes with retail partners.

Oversaw day to day operations, performance management, and personnel guidance for large retail store; grew sales from $71M to $87M in annual revenue, improved employee engagement 10% in first 6 months, and enhanced Medallia customer satisfaction scores 54%. Led major projects and ongoing updates to visual merchandising, space planning, and product placement, oversaw improvements to stockroom operations, refreshing of product displays, and assisted executing supporting training programs; greatly improved display of apparel that resulted in a 20% increase in sales. Partnered directly with sales management to address issues with poor performing areas and products, lead analysis of historical and actual sales figures to determine causes of shortcomings, develop improved merchandising and visual displays, and implemented sales support, product grouping, pricing, and new launches. Managed re-merchandizing of multiple retail sections, worked alongside sales and floor leaders to understand current inefficiencies of space and displays, and developed comprehensive layout for area while utilizing existing space and adhering to company guidelines; improved ease of shopping for customers, increased sales, and received high marks from corporate auditors. Led new in-store online order fulfillment rollout, designed new back of house layout and operations to process upwards of 80,000 orders weekly, developed and delivered trainings for associates, and established new staff scheduling to meet new operations demands. Built impactful sales and customer service team, spearheaded recruitment and outreach actions, interviewing and vetting process, and trainings focused on internal processes and procedures, inventory management, administrative actions, and customer service, sales, and relations; grew headcount from 200 to 375 while increasing retention by 15%. Closely reviewed store spending to optimize expenses, identified wasteful spending, to reduce costs $150K.

Oversaw purchasing activities, led vendor relations and communications, developed strategic plans for future merchandise, planed and implemented marketing strategies, maintained quality standards, and led team of Merchandising Specialists. Analyzed in store and online buying patterns, regularly reviewed KPI’s, including sales, returns, and discount levels, and forecasted future trends and sales levels to plan global buys months in advance. Led special purchasing programs, reviewed pricing and product specifications from suppliers, led pricing and sample requests, worked with team of buyers to review quality and feasibility, selected preferred vendor and product, and negotiated costs and volumes. Guided strategic marketing programs, utilized marketing and sales metrics to identify effective messaging and visual merchandizing, developed complimentary product categories, and trained team on effective cross- and up-selling techniques. Served as special liaison to preferred partners, including the NBA, MLB, NFL, and NCAA, developed new localized product and merchandise programs, and monitored ongoing sales metrics; new regional-specific products helped grow sales by $1M in the first 6 months. Spearheaded vendor relationships, partnered with stakeholders to negotiate terms and conditions, developed new relationships, managed communication, and worked closely to identify and resolve issues with products and sales. Led development and launch of Localization Team at HQ, worked with corporate stakeholders to understand regional complications related to buying, product mix, and merchandising, and outlined new purchasing standards. Project managed visual merchandising standards rollout to support store remodel, partnered with construction team on ideal fixture placement, project progress, and timing, and hired and trained new Merchandisers. Developed dedicated Product Knowledge workshops, and provided ongoing support with live job shadowing and ongoing feedback.