Christine Petrillo
Westfield,NJ
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Retail Leader with 20+ years of experience managing multimillion-dollar portfolios, transforming underperforming businesses, and driving revenue growth across diverse product categories. Recognized for vertical design expertise, global sourcing, supply chain optimization, and private label development, with a proven ability to translate trend insights and competitive analysis into profitable assortments that resonate with consumers.
Accomplished in team leadership and talent development, building high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, and aligning cross-functional stakeholders to execute strategic initiatives. Skilled in store strategy, visual merchandising, inventory management (400+ SKUs), process creation, and omnichannel business growth, delivering measurable impact on margins, sales, and customer experience.
Track record of leading large-scale, complex projects, including speed-to-market initiatives, seasonal program launches, assortment planning tools, and promotional strategies that increase revenue, optimize operations, and strengthen brand relevance. Adept at managing third-party vendors, overseas sourcing, and global supply chain operations while maintaining quality, cost control, and timely delivery.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Merchandiser and Fabric Sourcing Consultant
TKO Evolution, Apparel Inc
New York, NY
09.2021 - 06.2024
- Private Label Product Development & Sourcing Leadership
- Collaborated with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Design to develop a strategic private label growth approach, aligning assortment with customer preferences.
- Designed initiatives to reduce development costs by leveraging high-performing fabrics in new silhouettes and seasonal colorways.
- Led global sourcing efforts, managing overseas vendors and factories to execute fabrications and product launches.
- Negotiated fabric costs and approved quality, construction, and technical specifications.
- Managed tech pack communication and factory handoffs, ensuring smooth transition from design to production.
Senior Buyer-Director of Merchandising, Men's Apparel
Calvin Klein
New York, NY
01.2014 - 02.2019
- Business Driver – Men’s Omni Channel | $140M Portfolio
- Oversaw $140M Men’s portfolio (62% of Men’s volume, 22% of company volume); managed 400+ SKUs representing 70% of Men’s business.
- Delivered $22M growth in Knits, Graphics, Layer 2, and Sweaters over four years, driving a 30% increase in gross margin.
- Spearheaded speed-to-market initiative in Graphics, generating $5.7M incremental annual revenue.
- Launched ‘Black Friday’ Layer 2 fleece program, scaling seasonal revenue from $0 to $15M annually.
- Turned around Woven Shirts, achieving 10% operating profit growth and 6% retail merchandise margin improvement.
- Contributed to JDA Assortment Planning tool development and rollout, improving unit flow accuracy and inventory planning.
- Directed financial and product strategies across 145 US & Canada stores, identifying growth opportunities and addressing declining performance.
- Partnered with Visual Merchandising, Design, and Product Planning to optimize floor sets, product placement, SKUs, and line reviews.
- Managed Supply Chain and third-party vendors, overseeing delivery, quality, cost, and new product development.
- Led and developed direct reports, fostering a high-performing, accountable team culture.
- Executed in-store promotional events, boosting engagement and revenue.
Buyer - Merchandise Manager, Men's Apparel
Calvin Klein
New York, NY
09.2011 - 01.2014
- Business Driver – North America Men’s Outerwear, Bottoms & Suiting | $98M Portfolio
- Oversaw $98M Men’s portfolio (41% of Men’s volume, 16% of company volume), managing Outerwear, Bottoms, and Suiting categories.
- Led Bottoms Initiative, relaunching the department with innovative fits, fabrications, and styles, doubling annual volume from $30M to $64M.
- Negotiated shorts program costing, enabling a new promotional strategy that sold 400K+ units annually while maintaining profitability.
- Partnered on ‘mega store’ strategy, curating product assortments for top-volume stores, exceeding planned sales.
Associate Buyer, Men’s Apparel and Accessories
Calvin Klein
New York, NY
09.2010 - 09.2011
Associate Buyer, Men’s Apparel and Accessories
Van Heusen
Bridgewater, NJ
05.2009 - 09.2010
Assistant Buyer, Men’s Apparel and Accessories
Van Heusen
Bridgewater, NJ
06.2006 - 05.2009
Store Planner/Allocation Analyst
Van Heusen
Bridgewater, NJ
12.2004 - 01.2006
Education
Bachelor of Arts - School of Communication And Information
Rutgers, The State University of NJ
New Brunswick, NJ05.2004
Skills
- End-to-End Product Development (Vertical Design) Expertise
- Omnichannel Merchandising & Portfolio Management
- Global & Overseas Sourcing
- 3rd-Party Vendor Strategy & Partnership Development
- Supply Chain Optimization & Inventory Control (400 SKUs)
- Trend Identification & Competitive Market Analysis
- Retail Store Strategy & Performance Optimization
- Team Leadership, Staff Development & Performance Coaching
- Process Creation & Business Transformation
- Strategic Promotional Planning & Revenue Growth
Timeline
Sr. Merchandiser and Fabric Sourcing Consultant
TKO Evolution, Apparel Inc
09.2021 - 06.2024
Senior Buyer-Director of Merchandising, Men's Apparel
Calvin Klein
01.2014 - 02.2019
Buyer - Merchandise Manager, Men's Apparel
Calvin Klein
09.2011 - 01.2014
Associate Buyer, Men’s Apparel and Accessories
Calvin Klein
09.2010 - 09.2011
Associate Buyer, Men’s Apparel and Accessories
Van Heusen
05.2009 - 09.2010
Assistant Buyer, Men’s Apparel and Accessories
Van Heusen
06.2006 - 05.2009
Store Planner/Allocation Analyst
Van Heusen
12.2004 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Arts - School of Communication And Information
Rutgers, The State University of NJ