Christa M. Zinn
New Rochelle
Summary
Knowledgeable merchant with proven track record in driving merchandise strategies and leading cross-functional teams. Successfully managed product assortments and vendor relations to optimize inventory levels and enhance profitability. Demonstrated proficiency in leadership and analytical skills to achieve business goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Divisional Merchandise Manager, Soft Home
Gabe's
04.2024 - Current
- Drove total Soft Home sales this year to $48M vs. $42M LY, +13% comp.
- Supported teams strategy to increase fall seasonal business this year to $6.6M vs. $4.5M LY.
- Mentored junior team members, fostering a culture of professional development and continuous improvement within the division.
- Managed inventory levels for optimal turnover with regular analysis and forecasting techniques.
- Analyzed sales data regularly to identify opportunities for expansion or adjustments in strategy, optimizing overall business performance.
- Cultivated an environment of open communication within the team, encouraging feedback and idea sharing for continuous improvement.
- Established clear goals for team members which resulted in higher productivity levels within the division.
- Improved supply chain efficiency by working closely with logistics teams to optimize product flow from vendors to stores.
- Drove increase in gross margin dollars by effectively managing markdowns and negotiating favorable vendor terms.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing seasonal merchandise plans, achieving revenue growth across multiple categories.
- Identified market trends and customer needs, adjusting merchandise assortments accordingly to maximize profits.
- Developed strong vendor relationships through clear communication, negotiation, and collaboration to drive business success.
- Increased sales performance by implementing effective merchandising strategies and product assortment plans.
- Negotiated pricing and terms with vendors to secure best value for company.
Merchandise Manager, Top of Bed
Gabe's
05.2023 - 04.2024
- Grew top of bed divisions sales to $18M over $13M LY, with increased selling margin.
- Onboarded buyer and assistant buyer with developing and training in new area.
- Drove growth through pack and hold strategy on cold weather items, and added new vendors in seasonal business.
- Utilized unit ladders to analyze and strategize for future assortment plans. Partnered with GMM and planning to fund inventory for new initiatives.
- Supported teams strategy to increase seasonal presence in throws to $3M vs. $1.4M LY.
- Boosted sales performance by effectively managing merchandise assortments and inventory levels.
- Motivated and mentored merchandise team to achieve high performance and job satisfaction.
- Monitored inventory levels and made necessary adjustments to maximize sales and profits.
Buyer, Soft Home
Gabe's
07.2020 - 05.2023
- Drove double digit comps year over year with increased selling margin.
- Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
- Collaborated with internal departments to better understand needs and determine purchasing requirements.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
- Ensured timely delivery of products by closely monitoring vendor performance and addressing any issues promptly.
- Provided training and guidance to direct reports on best practices in off price chanel.
- Developed strong relationships with suppliers to secure favorable pricing terms and conditions for the company''s benefit.
Buyer, Soft Window
Ross Dress for Less
09.2018 - 06.2020
- Manage and develop assistant buyer on team.
- Create and build relationships with vendors to strategize on newness in product category.
- Manage inventory, open to buy, sales and pricing.
- Shop competition regularly to analyze new trends, vendors and market price values.
- Negotiate pricing and partake in product development with factories and vendors.
- Develop and execute strategies that drive financials to maximize sales, margin, and turn.
- Travel Internationally & domestically to factories and stores to inspect quality of goods, work on innovative costing and test new opportunities.
- Create seasonal buy plans down to class and category level to present at semi-annual assortment plan meetings.
- Built strong partnership with planning and direct import partners, collaborate daily with divisional team.
Buyer, Decorative Bath
Ross Dress for Less
09.2014 - 09.2018
- Travel overseas with direct import team to negotiate pricing with agents and factory owners on bath collections with assisting in product development.
- Manage and develop team of one associate buyer and one assistant buyer.
- Open new vendor accounts to access new product categories.
- Manage open to buy, pricing tiers, receipt flow, buy plans and assortment strategies.
- Analyze business weekly and communicate sales opportunity or business risks to planning counterparts.
Associate Buyer, Bedding & Quilts
Ross Dress for Less
09.2012 - 09.2014
- Assist Senior buyer in purchasing national/branded comforters, alternative down bedding and Quilts, $75 million business.
- Responsible for managing and buying Quilts, $10 million business.
- Created quarterly buy plans with category penetration to initiate seasonal strategies.
- Collaborated with planning team to develop strategies that aligned both financials and product.
- Developed strong relationships to key vendors to have access to new brands.
- Evaluated competitor offerings and analyze trends.
Assistant Buyer, Functional & Decorative Bath
Ross Dress for Less
09.2010 - 09.2012
- Created multiple templates for reporting including weekly bestsellers and monthly recaps.
- Responsible for purchase order tracking, markdowns, keying orders, and weekly sales projections for OTB.
- Negotiated on new product categories with vendors to ensure correct price value.
- Shopped competition regularly to ensure price values were in line.
Merchandise Assistant, Moderate Sportswear
Macys.com
07.2008 - 09.2010
- Recap and evaluate business performance (sales/trend reports, strategy prep).
- Participate in weekly business review meetings and develop pricing strategies.
- Analyze the business by creating monthly recaps and giving suggestions to buyer.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Retail Merchandising
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio06-2008
Skills
- Product assortment
- Data-driven decision making
- Pricing strategy
- Vendor negotiation
- Merchandising strategies
- Global sourcing
- Team leadership
- Trade show attendance
Timeline
Divisional Merchandise Manager, Soft Home
Gabe's
04.2024 - Current
Merchandise Manager, Top of Bed
Gabe's
05.2023 - 04.2024
Buyer, Soft Home
Gabe's
07.2020 - 05.2023
Buyer, Soft Window
Ross Dress for Less
09.2018 - 06.2020
Buyer, Decorative Bath
Ross Dress for Less
09.2014 - 09.2018
Associate Buyer, Bedding & Quilts
Ross Dress for Less
09.2012 - 09.2014
Assistant Buyer, Functional & Decorative Bath
Ross Dress for Less
09.2010 - 09.2012
Merchandise Assistant, Moderate Sportswear
Macys.com
07.2008 - 09.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Retail Merchandising
Ohio University
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