Brian Wilkes
Athletic Associate Buyer
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Skilled merchant touting 20 years of expertise analyzing seasonal and year round business opportunities and the merchandise that will meet those needs. A knowledgeable resource committed to hard work, communicating with all stakeholders and managing inventories. Promoting exemplary skills in managing various projects and tasks. Successfully manage diverse purchasing needs in challenging, fast-paced environments. Dedicated to streamlining product portfolios and uncovering new offerings to drive retail growth. Creative eye with great taste and ability to see future trends in customer preferences. Extensive background working in multiple departments and areas of the business. Created strong lasting vendor relationships. Very resourceful constantly learning new ways to dissect information with new technology. Continuing to learn while implementing ability in analyzing and dissecting the business.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Buyer - Men's Athletics
Rack Room Shoes
01.2021 - Current
- Monitored and analyzed sales records, trends or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine suitable type and quantity of company inventory items.
- Communicated with suppliers to negotiate best pricing.
- Maintained timely product deliveries by effectively
- Prepared in-depth reports regarding orders, sales and costs and distributed weekly to appropriate management staff.
- Interacted with vendors, store managers and other stakeholders to maintain on-time deliveries.
- Worked with Buyer in Managing 200 million Athletic business with complete autonomy over Basketball portion of business.
- +20% over previous year.
Assistant Buyer
Off Broadway Shoes
04.2016 - 12.2020
- Analyzed sales trends to maximize sales potential.
- Develop under performing brands and develop/maintain partnerships.
- Developing new ways of researching data beneficial to sales. Utilize Sps Microstrategy for reporting.
- Analyzed sales data and conducted competitor research to efficiently order merchandise according to sales trends.
- Increased Men's Athletic Business +30% between 2018 & 2019. Increased Kids Athletics from a $4M Business to a $11M business in 4 years.
- Researched and evaluated market trends through online sources, customer feedback and competitor shopping.
- Standardized inventory quarterly reporting and analysis and instituted corrective action for close-outs and out-of-stock items to keep inventory records current.
Women's Traditional Merchandiser
Off Broadway Shoes
06.2014 - 04.2016
- Organized and maintained store inventory levels.
- Allocated and transferred product to improve sales.
- Oversaw replenishment program and monthly sales budget.
- Shopped competition to identify opportunities, labels and trends.
- Aided buyer in assortment and category planning.
- Analyzed and implemented best size practice to minimize markdown.
- Implemented wide width reporting utilized by entire team
Men's Merchandiser
Off Broadway Shoes
05.2013 - 06.2014
- Allocated and transferred product to improve sales.
- Oversaw replenishment program maintaining monthly sales budget.
- Maintained inventory levels in stores for Men's Department.
- Shopped competition to identify opportunities, brands and trends.
- Aided Buyer in assortment and category planning.
- Analyzed sales trends based upon regional success
- Implemented year round sandal program
1st Assistant Manager
Off Broadway Shoes
01.2011 - 05.2013
- Delivered excellent customer service by greeting and assisting each customer.
- Reorganized sales floor to meet company demands.
- Knowledge of product placement and sales.
- Actively interviewed and hired employees.
- Completed weekly schedules according to payroll policies.
- Trained staff to deliver outstanding customer service.
Education
High School Diploma - Psychology
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte06.2006
Skills
- Team-oriented
- Reliable
- Great communication skills
- Learning and implementing new tools for researching analysis (Microstrategy)
- Ability to adapt and work across departments
- Conflict Resolution Skills
- Independently takes initiative
- Analytical mind
- Growing and maintaining vendor relationships
- Product procurement
- Vendor Relations
Accomplishments
- Leader of employee resource group focused on improving Work-Life Balance.
- Involved in successful outreach programs, where we traveled to other countries to assist homeless.
- Developed Kid's business to have a 70% growth from the previous year exceeding plan.
- Grew Men's business 30% Sales from previous year exceeding plan.
- Aided in implementation of data analysis program rolled out to company
Timeline
Associate Buyer - Men's Athletics
Rack Room Shoes
01.2021 - Current
Assistant Buyer
Off Broadway Shoes
04.2016 - 12.2020
Women's Traditional Merchandiser
Off Broadway Shoes
06.2014 - 04.2016
Men's Merchandiser
Off Broadway Shoes
05.2013 - 06.2014
1st Assistant Manager
Off Broadway Shoes
01.2011 - 05.2013
High School Diploma - Psychology
Central Piedmont Community College
Similar Profiles
Samantha BishopSamantha Bishop
Assistant Manager at Rack Room Shoes Inc.Assistant Manager at Rack Room Shoes Inc.
JOSHUA WILLIAMSJOSHUA WILLIAMS
Sales Associate at Rack Room Shoes Inc.Sales Associate at Rack Room Shoes Inc.
Connor JenkinsConnor Jenkins
Team Lead at Rack Room Shoes Inc.Team Lead at Rack Room Shoes Inc.