CARISA REALIZA
Pleasanton,CA
Summary
Dedicated and adaptable professional with a proactive attitude and the ability to learn quickly. Strong work ethic and effective communication skills. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and support organizational goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Small Group Concierge
Fountain Church
Pleasanton, CA
07.2023 - Current
- Assist Small Group Director in leading a team of 40 plus leaders
- Own team weekly email, casting vision and inspiration to the team, including special leader announcements
- Onboard new leaders to the team, introducing them to the team processes and communicating leader weekly responsibilities
- Assess groups attendance weekly and submit reports to Director
- Strategize and work closely with Director on implementing and launching new groups
- Lead Small Group Promotion Sundays from A to Z, including hospitality needs, scheduling of leader serve rotations, leading prayer huddles and providing ideas to the creative team for environment touches
- Own group administration needs and train leaders on how to use online tools
- Provide care and coaching for leaders
- Serve guests by assisting them in finding a group fit
Retail Visual Merchandiser
WINSTON RETAIL
PLEASANTON, CA
11.2017 - Current
- Merchandises various apparel brands in the retail sector, including & not limited to Free Assembly (Walmart), Under Armour (Macy's, Dick Sporting Goods & Kohls), Adidas (Soccer Pro), Lucky Brand (Macy's & JCPenney)
- Develops strong relationships with store management and associates to ensure trust and accountability takes place
- Executes brand visual directives to ensure sales floor meets visual standards and that retail strategies are being implemented
- Provides expert product knowledge to associates and customers, equipping staff and elevating the customer shopping experience
- Drives sales and customer inspiration by styling and dressing mannequins
Visual Merchandising Team Lead
TARGET
DUBLIN, CA
10.2015 - 12.2017
- Drove positive EOY comps for 2016 4% in Ready-To-Wear and 2% comp in Kids Apparel
- Drove sales visually by creating shops and boutiques within each apparel department
- Drove sales verbally by engaging with guests, making selling suggestions, and introducing guests to new brands
- Maintained apparel and accessories sales floor by branding, zoning and pushing
- Created inspiration for guests through styling of mannequins, feature tables and setting floorplan per VMG
- Lead style team in merchandising, selling techniques, fit sessions, huddles and execution of daily push
- Managed apparel team daily on tasks, educate them on new brands and own VMG sets for brand launches.
Merchandise Analyst
ILEAF STYLE CORP
DUBLIN, CA
04.2015 - 09.2015
- Spearheaded the vendor return process reducing losses by $2k in a 3 month period
- Analyzed needs for regular replenishment for 4 major vendors and also placed orders for virtual sales
- Communicated with vendors for store credits and refunds from initiating request to verifying end result
- Executed customer care responsibilities, responding to messages, taking customer calls, return authorizations, customer refunds and replacements.
Outfitter - Mentor
TRUMAKER
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
09.2014 - 09.2015
- Promoted to Mentorship within 4 months, career sales at $44,688 in a 5 month period, 92% closing rate
- Accomplished weekly booking sessions in order to drive monthly sales
- Presented samples, fabrics and purchase options to potential clients
- Created package deals catering to the client needs and offered personal styling advice
- Provided a “personal tailor” experience during appointments, taking and recording measurements
- Presented additional product at first shirt deliveries and reorder appointments
- Mentored a team of 3 people by leading weekly team calls and coaching them to accomplish their goals.
Product Developer Branded Division – Levi’s
HYBRID APPAREL
CYPRESS, CA
03.2013 - 08.2014
- Increased carryover fabrics by 21% in one year helping to evolve the Levi Knits offering to buyers
- Managed the development for the Men’s Levi’s Knits and Sweaters Line
- Corresponded with overseas vendors daily on WIP styles and handled tech pack completion and distribution
- Handled all fabric and trim sourcing and partner with Designer Director and Merchandiser on seasonal needs
- Oversaw all approvals such as fabric quality, lab dips, strike offs, proto samples
- Coordinated sample tracking and arrival of sample lines for handoff to merchandising
- Handled tech pack completion and distribution to factories
- Initiated and manage cost sheets from development styles to production orders
- Lead production handoffs for bought styles ensuring bulk production orders are placed correctly to factories.
Men's Merchandiser - Retail
LUCKY BRAND JEANS
LOS ANGELES, CA
07.2009 - 02.2013
- Contributed to a 47% increase in knits retail sales $ in 2012, which was a 92% increase in gross margin
- Built assortment lines for knits, sweaters, active-wear and graphic t-shirts ($17 million in retail sales 2012) while working with planner to ensure open-to-buy strategies and inventory needs were being met
- Analyzed sales trends weekly and took necessary actions to improve and react to the business
- Partnered with Director, Vice President and Planner in building seasonal line plans and finalizing adoption
- Led cross-functional team on a daily basis in ensuring design development, product costing and sourcing were being executed both to assortment and profit margin expectations
- Presented sales results at hindsight meetings and assortment highlights to DMMs.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Merchandising
College of Family And Consumer Sciences
05-2001
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Skills
- Team Supervision
- Telephone Etiquette
- Strong Interpersonal Skills
- Strong Work Ethic
- Outstanding Customer Service
- Conflict Resolution
- Hospitality
- Guest Experiences
- Training and Mentoring
- Effective Problem Solving
- Superior Organization
- Effective Decision Making
- Team Player Mentality
- Detail-Oriented Approach
- Relationship Building
- Accurate Record Keeping
- Reliability
- Brand Image Alignment
- Visual Merchandising
- Product Development
- Retail/Wholesale Merchandising
- Attention to Detail
- Sales
- Styling
Affiliations
- Fountain Church Small Group Leader (2016-present)
- Fountain Church Connect Team Member (2018-present)
Accomplishments
- Fountain Church Small Group Coach (2018 to present)
Timeline
Small Group Concierge
Fountain Church
07.2023 - Current
Retail Visual Merchandiser
WINSTON RETAIL
11.2017 - Current
Visual Merchandising Team Lead
TARGET
10.2015 - 12.2017
Merchandise Analyst
ILEAF STYLE CORP
04.2015 - 09.2015
Outfitter - Mentor
TRUMAKER
09.2014 - 09.2015
Product Developer Branded Division – Levi’s
HYBRID APPAREL
03.2013 - 08.2014
Men's Merchandiser - Retail
LUCKY BRAND JEANS
07.2009 - 02.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Merchandising
College of Family And Consumer Sciences
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
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