Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Languages
Key Strengths & Competencies
Timeline
Generic

Ariana Espitia

Summary

Dynamic and results-oriented professional with over 15 years of comprehensive retail experience, including store management, inventory analytics, and strategic retail planning. Proven track record of driving topline sales and enhancing profit margins through analytical expertise and data-driven decision-making. Skilled in optimizing operational efficiency and implementing innovative solutions to meet and exceed organizational objectives. Committed to fostering a customer-centric environment that enhances brand loyalty and drives sustainable growth.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Planner

Claire's Corporate, Retail
01.2024 - Current
  • Managing $40M in sales revenue (semi-annually) for the License department, accounting for 10% of company sales with over 600 active styles in partnership with my merchant counterpart to drive the business.
  • Manage and maintain department financial forecast on a weekly basis via OTB/rolling forecast to take timely action and maximize sales, margin and inventory productivity.
  • Review in stock rates and adjust inventory purchases to maintain optimum inventory flow with ideal in stock rates.
  • Partnered with Merchant/Buyer to create pre-season sales and inventory targets that aligned with company KPI's.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to draw conclusions and give recommendations to deliver high quality results.

Associate Merchandiser

Claire's Corporate, Retail
01.2019 - 01.2024
  • Reviewed weekly reports to identify categories of opportunity to drive department sales.
  • Strengthened vendor relations to ensure key product remained in stock.
  • Managed inventory, receipts and department turn by ensuring optimal in stock rates, on time shipments and pivoting as needed to ensure department was on financial targets.

Allocation Analyst

Claire's Corporate, Retail
01.2018 - 01.2019
  • Ensured inventory was delivered in a timely manner to all 1,200 B&M stores in the US and E-commerce.
  • Attended and actively participated in weekly department meetings to ensure stock delays were communicated to avoid disruption for key planograms or to sales.
  • Took ownership and proactively managed stock replenishment based on sales performance to identify key items to maximize department sales.

Insurance Agent, Licensed in PC, Life & Health

COUNTRY Financial
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Insured single family homes via a holistic approach that assess client's entire finances.
  • Maximized household lines of product by utilizing semi-annual reviews to cross-sell.
  • Partnered with several business organizations to establish a community presence within the NW suburbs.

Account Manager: Main Client, Verizon Wireless, Midwest Area (MWA)

Multi Latino Marketing Agency, Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2016
  • Acted as a liaison between the Verizon multicultural marketing strategist and the Hispanic MWA partners.
  • Managed “Nuevo Latina” Hispanic/multi-cultural program of which tasks included event planning, budgeting, negotiated contracts for media buys and oversaw onsite execution.
  • Leveraged relationships with Hispanic community partners to achieve and surpass Verizon program goals and maximize client's ROI.
  • Created program recap proposals which included program strategies, promotional tools, metrics and program evaluation.

General Manager

Claire's Boutique Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2015
  • Company Overview: specialty retailer of fashionable jewelry and accessories
  • Implemented business strategies to achieve annual sales goal of $1 million.
  • Conducted international franchise training for Middle Eastern and European brand managers. Training include: ISP, POG standards, EP certification, recruiting, manager in training packet and overall store metrics.
  • Recruited and trained all incoming employees per company standards and objectives. Managed and developed a team of 10-15 employees which varied depending on sales volume and season.
  • Oversaw all store operations and executed company strategy for customer experience.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - PR/Advertising

DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

Skills

  • Retail Math & Analytics
  • Assortment Planning
  • Arthur Planning
  • Power BI
  • Blue Yonder
  • Proficient in Microsoft office (Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Problem Solving
  • Data analysis

Affiliations

  • Junior Executive Board: Rolling Meadows Credit Union 2017-2018
  • Sheffield Townee Association: Secretary 2017- 2019

Languages

Spanish
Full Professional

Key Strengths & Competencies

  • Inventory Management
  • Merchandising
  • Retail Management

Timeline

Planner

Claire's Corporate, Retail
01.2024 - Current

Associate Merchandiser

Claire's Corporate, Retail
01.2019 - 01.2024

Allocation Analyst

Claire's Corporate, Retail
01.2018 - 01.2019

Insurance Agent, Licensed in PC, Life & Health

COUNTRY Financial
01.2016 - 01.2018

Account Manager: Main Client, Verizon Wireless, Midwest Area (MWA)

Multi Latino Marketing Agency, Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2016

General Manager

Claire's Boutique Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2015

Bachelor of Arts - PR/Advertising

DePaul University

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