Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Christina Dest

New York,NY

Summary

Analytical Sr. Merchandise Planner with 9 years of experience planning, problem-solving and predicting trends. Adaptable, detail oriented and focused on leading and executing strategies based in analysis with the ultimate goal of driving sales.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Sr. Merchandise Planner

Rue Gilt Groupe
08.2021 - Current
  • Lead analyst for Jewelry & Watches, Women's Footwear, and Beauty divisions encompassing approx. 19% of total company's demand across 64 classifications.
  • Develop top-down and bottom-up financial targets and provide guidance for all projections and buys to ensure proper penetration by product category and mix.
  • Create merchandise sales, margin and inventory pre-season budgets for business units incorporating current and historical trends, seasonal hindsight & collaboration with cross-functional partners.
  • Identify business opportunities or risks to plans and inventory levels in-season and present these findings along with recommendations in monthly Open to Buy meetings.
  • Perform margin and cost analysis to ensure margin targets are achieved, and highlight risks and variances.
  • Create and support ongoing reporting, ad hoc analysis and projects based on current business needs to inform decision making.
  • On-boarded three analysts through a 90-day training calendar and continue to manage and develop through real time feedback, performance management and goal setting.

Associate & Merchandise Planning Analyst

Ross Dress For Less
03.2017 - 08.2021
  • Managed two business segments accounting for $25M annually. Key result: Led & executed category-level “bottoms-up” strategy for Girl's Active, resulting in 15% lift to initial sales plan.
  • Analyzed sales history, gross margin, inventory levels and price points to create and communicate quality bottoms-up pre-season plans that also support merchant strategies.
  • Managed in-season inventory through weekly “Open-to-buy” and strong sales/inventory forecasting and communicated findings to Buying, Allocation and Location Planning counterparts.
  • Q4 Buyer/Planner Award (Feb 2019): Awarded by President/CMO alongside merchant counterpart for highest beat to sales and gross margin plan in the company in Q4 2018.
  • Responsible for executing 4 six-week on-boarding programs in which I was the primary resource for training new analysts one-on-one.
  • Provide data analysis, develop actionable insights and deliver business recommendations for ad-hoc requests from cross-functional partners i.e. Location Planning, Allocation and Buying.
  • Catch a Shining Star Recognition (Dec 2020): One of three associates selected out of total Ross Planning for going above and beyond in agility, collaboration and leading by example.

Location Planner I & II

Ross Dress For Less
08.2014 - 03.2017
  • Created sales and inventory plans for regions and stores across two divisions.
  • Analyzed regional performance and synthesized findings to communicate during quarterly hindsight meetings with senior leadership.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Business Marketing & Advertising

University of Delaware
Newark, DE
08.2014

Skills

  • Retail Math
  • Attention to Detail
  • Team Leadership
  • Strategic Planning
  • Tableau & Microsoft Excel
  • Category Planning
  • Trend Analysis
  • Inventory Management
  • Public Speaking

Timeline

Sr. Merchandise Planner

Rue Gilt Groupe
08.2021 - Current

Associate & Merchandise Planning Analyst

Ross Dress For Less
03.2017 - 08.2021

Location Planner I & II

Ross Dress For Less
08.2014 - 03.2017

Bachelor of Science - Business Marketing & Advertising

University of Delaware

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Christina Dest