BRADLEY JOHNSON
Woodland Hills,CA
Summary
Dynamic servant leader and experienced growth-focused omni-channel professional with 30 years experience in merchandising, inventory and supply chain management, product development, manufacturing, retail sales, eCommerce, marketing and creating exceptional customer experiences in the M.I. (Musical Instrument ) industry
A skilled and strategic executive equipped with excellent business acumen and analytical approach used in a wide range of responsibilities such as strategy development, supply chain management, marketing dynamics and creating growth objectives and key results.
A cross-functional leader and team player with outstanding communication skills and a strong talent in driving results by aligning relationships between key departments.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President - Merchandising & Inventory, Tech
Guitar Center
06.2023 - Current
- Develop sales, inventory and marketing strategy for largest U.S. musical instruments omni-channel retailer for Technology, which includes Live Sound, Keyboards, Recording, Microphones, Headphones, DJ
- Enhanced company profitability +7% by leading and inspiring team of 25 merchants and inventory professionals to maximize sales through making proper investments throughout category portfolio
- Increased revenue streams +44% by identifying growth opportunities and forging strategic partnerships with key industry players in DJ market
- Directed marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and grow market share within highly competitive Live Sound and Keyboard market
- Transformed in store customer experience for professional musicians by executing expanded retail assortment of high end recording microphones in major U.S. markets which has led to +15% growth
- Improved sales and customer satisfaction though Increased stocking levels by +4% YoY
- Collaborate with C-Suite and cross-functional teams weekly on strategic initiatives and long term goals (OKR's)
- Negotiated improved margin and marketing partnership (Co-Op) spend with strategic vendors
Vice President - Merchandise Planning, Guitars
Guitar Center
05.2022 - 06.2023
- Enhanced company profitability by implementing strategic inventory plans ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing return on investments which led to 9% 2 Year CAGR
- Managed $245M average inventory in largest U.S. guitar, amps and accessories market through negotiations with top manufacturers
- Achieved average 20% cost savings from major vendor partners through strategic sourcing initiatives and supply chain optimization efforts
- Delivered strong financial performance (companies 2nd best year) despite challenging economic conditions by executing prudent risk management strategies, such as supply chain management, accurate sales forecasting and purchase order management
- Optimized sales and customer satisfaction through increasing inventory in-stock percentages in Retail and eCom
Director, Merchandising - Acoustic Inst. & Access
Guitar Center
06.2016 - 05.2022
- Created strategic direction that continues to drive omni-channel sales growth in Acoustic Instrument and Guitar Accessories categories, which includes retail stores and ecommerce channels
- Increased revenue of Acoustic Instrument business +$52M +31% from 2016 - 2022
- Increased revenue of Guitar Accessories business +$23M +20% from 2020-2022
- Partnered with top manufacturers such as Taylor Guitars, Martin Guitars on exclusive product development and first to market sales opportunities creating incremental growth
- Notable Accomplishments: Achieved Enterprise sales and margin plan for five straight years in previously declining category
- Elevated customer experience through cross-functional leadership by coordinating 45 branded acoustic experience displays and 300 Top Brand guitar accessories end-caps in retail locations that drove 55% sales growth average in key markets across U.S.
- President's Award recipient for extraordinary leadership and achievement in sales and inventory management
Director - Guitar Center Professional
Guitar Center
02.2015 - 06.2016
- Led team of B2B Account Managers and logistics coordinators to provide audio, video, lighting and installations for businesses which drove 26% increase over previous year in EBITDA
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Led sales team through significant compensation changes and B2B team infrastructure
- Develop systems and standard operating procedures for logistics coordinators and inventory procurement across key U.S. markets
- Ownership and accountability for P&L as success measurement to ensure growth in B2B sales and associated business verticals
- Implemented sales lead generation system which enabled team to expand into important business verticals
District Manager of Stores
Guitar Center
06.2012 - 02.2015
- President's Award recipient for people leadership through transforming retail store operational infrastructure
- Increased used and vintage sales +7% through streamlining intake process
- Executed 100% completion of training and certification requirements for entire retail staff in 8 locations
- Created exceptional customer experiences by leading large territory of music retail stores in Southern California
- Led store managers to achieve above average results in KPIs, including Sales, Gear Cards, Club Cards and Pro Coverage
- Achieved high level of customer satisfaction by implementing company vision of consistently high merchandising standards throughout district
- Opened Guitar Center Outlet store in San Ysidro
- Opened new Palm Desert location
Store Manager
Guitar Center
01.2010 - 06.2012
- Hired, trained and motivated enthusiastic staff to create outstanding in-store retail shopping experience which improved sales +4%
- Full responsibility for achieving sales budgets, merchandising, managing labor and customer satisfaction
- Trained and developed future Store Managers
- Improved customer satisfaction through staff training and certification in customer service and product knowledge
- Maximized sales by creating innovative visual merchandising displays and store layouts
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of store, maintaining clean, safe environment for customers and employees
- Promoted to District Manager
Vice President / Co-Owner
King Doublebass
04.2005 - 01.2010
- Conceptualized, developed and marketed boutique acoustic upright stringed instruments and associated accessories, such as pickups, preamps, gig bags and cases manufactured in the U.S and in China
- Grew sales by expanding company to retailers in US, Europe, Australia and distribution network in Japan
- Built manufacturing facility in Southern California with spray booth and CNC machine
- Developed partnership with FMIC (Fender Musical Instruments) for US distribution
- Worked closely with Chinese factory for manufacturing exacting design specifications
- Managed overseas inventory supply chain
- Established distribution network in Japan and Europe
Category Manager - Guitar Accessories
Guitar Center
05.2003 - 04.2005
- Increased overall category sales by developing and executing strategic merchandising plans.
- Worked strategically with key vendor partners for successful product launches while maintaining sound business practices and high margins for the brand
- Boosted sales by promoting and marketing key products through monthly buyer's guides
- Managed assortment by keeping up on trends and creating exit strategies for slow turning product
- Developed and maintained store merchandising planograms, such as strings
- Created exceptional customer experience by developing new multi-effects pedal retail displays with vendor partners
- Collaborated on designing and launching successful private brand accessories line
Merchandise Planner - Guitars and Amplifiers
Guitar Center
01.2000 - 05.2003
- Managed supply chain replenishment, allocation and forecasting for all major guitar and amplifiers brands
- Optimized inventory management for reduced stockouts and improved customer satisfaction and maximizing sales opportunities
- Developed tactics to add new inventory to retail locations while maintaining budget expectations
- Assisted in bringing Gibson line back to Guitar Center
- Received Outstanding Service award
Store Manager
Guitar Center
08.1996 - 01.2000
- Maximized sales by 25% and customer satisfaction by developing strong sales team, innovative visual merchandising displays
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of store, maintaining clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
- Hired, trained and motivated enthusiastic staff to create outstanding in-store retail shopping experience
- Full responsibility for achieving sales budgets, merchandising, managing labor and customer satisfaction
- Notable Accomplishments: San Bernardino, San Diego, Houston, Murrieta, Lake Forest, Fountain Valley locations
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Music
Crafton Hills College
Redlands, CAHigh School Diploma -
Rim of The World High School
Lake Arrowhead, CA1986
Skills
- Data Analysis / Performance Metrics Analysis
- Sales and Inventory Forecasting/ OTB Management
- Sales promotion and marketing
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Business Acumen
- Critical Thinking
- Risk Management
- Vendor Relationships
- Staff Development
- Business Development
- Presentations and Reporting
- Change Management
Accomplishments
- Received 2 President's Award, our companies highest award for outstanding people leadership, sales achievement and change management. One when I was a District Manager and the other when I was Director of Merchandising
Accomplished bass player of 40 years
I'm passionate about a wide variety of music genre and have played in bands for most of my life. I have adapted easily from punk, metal, honky-tonk, blues, classic rock, bluegrass, synth-pop and goth
Timeline
Vice President - Merchandising & Inventory, Tech
Guitar Center
06.2023 - Current
Vice President - Merchandise Planning, Guitars
Guitar Center
05.2022 - 06.2023
Director, Merchandising - Acoustic Inst. & Access
Guitar Center
06.2016 - 05.2022
Director - Guitar Center Professional
Guitar Center
02.2015 - 06.2016
District Manager of Stores
Guitar Center
06.2012 - 02.2015
Store Manager
Guitar Center
01.2010 - 06.2012
Vice President / Co-Owner
King Doublebass
04.2005 - 01.2010
Category Manager - Guitar Accessories
Guitar Center
05.2003 - 04.2005
Merchandise Planner - Guitars and Amplifiers
Guitar Center
01.2000 - 05.2003
Store Manager
Guitar Center
08.1996 - 01.2000
Some College (No Degree) - Music
Crafton Hills College
High School Diploma -
Rim of The World High School
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