Carina Torres
Hurst,TX
Summary
Professional buyer with experience in strategic sourcing, vendor negotiation, and inventory management. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Skilled in market analysis, contract management, and assortment planning optimization. Reliable and adaptable to changing needs.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Buyer
The Michaels Company, Inc.
Irving, TX
08.2025 - Current
- Lead development and execution of category strategies aligned with company goals and customer insights.
- Analyzed market trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences to drive informed category decisions.
- Curated and balanced private and national brand assortments to enhance category performance.
Assistant Buyer
The Michaels Company, Inc.
Irving, TX
06.2023 - 08.2025
- Partnered with buyers to develop product assortment plans that align with financial objectives for designated categories.
- Conducted analysis of sales performance and market trends to inform strategic assortment decisions.
- Utilize data analytics tools to forecast demand, optimize inventory levels, and minimize out-of-stocks.
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and promotional opportunities with vendors to achieve optimal margins and drive profitability.
Merchandising Assistant
The Michaels Company, Inc.
Irving, TX
09.2019 - 06.2023
- Executed comprehensive analysis of category performance to identify opportunities for assortment optimization and SKU rationalization.
- Managed vendor relationships, including communication, negotiation, and issue resolution, resulting in improved product quality and availability.
- Facilitated teamwork among merchandising, marketing, and operations departments to enhance promotional initiatives and boost sales.
Product Development Coordinator
The Michaels Company, Inc.
Irving, TX
08.2018 - 09.2019
- Oversaw product sample coordination across all stages of development to maintain effective and efficient workflows.
- Engaged with cross-functional teams to streamline product development and refine packaging design strategies.
- Managed project prioritization and consistently met critical deadlines to ensure timely product delivery to market.
Product Development Intern
The Michaels Company, Inc.
Irving, TX
06.2018 - 08.2019
- Created product development briefs for new assortments.
- Negotiated cost to meet margin requirements on private brand products.
- Analyzed market dynamics to produce insightful trend reports for strategic decision-making.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Merchandising & Digital Retailing, Minor in Business
The University of North Texas
Denton, TX05-2018
Skills
- Effective communication
- Supplier relationship management
- Product selection strategy
- Project Management
- Analytical problem-solving
- Cross-Functional Collaborations
- Data analysis proficiency
- Flexible problem-solving
- Detail-oriented approach
- Product Knowledge
- Market Analysis
Languages
Spanish
Timeline
Associate Buyer
The Michaels Company, Inc.
08.2025 - Current
Assistant Buyer
The Michaels Company, Inc.
06.2023 - 08.2025
Merchandising Assistant
The Michaels Company, Inc.
09.2019 - 06.2023
Product Development Coordinator
The Michaels Company, Inc.
08.2018 - 09.2019
Product Development Intern
The Michaels Company, Inc.
06.2018 - 08.2019
Bachelor of Science - Merchandising & Digital Retailing, Minor in Business
The University of North Texas