Claire Abel
Fairfield,CA
Summary
Knowledgeable professional with experience in retail industry and proven track record of exceeding sales targets and driving efficiency through innovative solutions. Offers excellent communication and organizational skills, with talents for negotiating and building relationships with vendors.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandise Planner – Apparel and Accessories
Cycle Gear
11.2016 - 08.2023
- Inventory Management: Oversee stock levels across network of 160+ retail stores
- Inventory Allocation: Collaborate with warehouses to efficiently allocate merchandise items
- Visual Merchandising Support: Ensure accuracy and quality of catalogs, sale signage, and store plan-o-grams
- Sales Analysis: Generate comprehensive sales reports by store and vendor, providing valuable insights
- Order Management: Execute domestic and import orders through multiple systems for seamless supply chain operations.
- Increased sales by strategically planning and managing merchandise assortments.
- Optimized inventory management for reduced stock-outs and improved customer satisfaction.
Control Buyer – Luggage and Gear
TravelSmith Outfitters, Inc.
11.2013 - 11.2016
- Demand Forecasting: Strategically forecast product categories by season and catalog
- Merchandise Planning: Planned, ordered, and meticulously tracked diverse portfolio of 650+ items each season
- Catalog Oversight: Thoroughly reviewed and validated 15-17 catalogs annually for accuracy and consistency
- Real-time Sales Analysis: Provided in-season sales reporting to facilitate informed decision-making
- Assortment Enhancement: Recommended product assortments based on in-depth sales analyses to optimize performance.
- Increased supplier efficiency by negotiating contracts and maintaining strong relationships with vendors.
- Reduced procurement costs through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, and effective negotiations.
Planner of Liquidations and Vendor Compliance
TravelSmith Outfitters, Inc.
08.2012 - 11.2013
- Catalog Management: Oversaw and designed semi-annual sale catalogs
- Vendor Compliance Liaison: Collaborated with new vendors to ensure adherence to compliance standards and managed charge-back processing
- Order Coordination: Provided support to Control Buyer in order placement and tracking activities.
- Enhanced project efficiency by developing and implementing effective planning strategies.
- Streamlined workflow processes for improved team productivity and project outcomes.
Merchandise Manager, Toys, Electronics & Collectibles
Delivery Agent Inc.
09.2011 - 03.2012
Associate Buyer, Indoor and Outdoor Décor
Smith and Hawken
08.2008 - 08.2009
Assistant Buyer, Children’s Toys, Books & Media – Accounts Payable Lead – Inventory Control Specialist – Assistant Store Manager
Discovery Communications Inc./The Nature Company
03.1999 - 04.2008
Education
High School Diploma -
Berkeley High School
Berkeley, CASkills
- MS Office
- Slack
- JD Edwards
- Retail Pro
- Google Suite
- eCometry
- Inventory Management
- Vendor negotiation
- Market Analysis
- Merchandise Allocation
- Forecasting
- ERP Systems
Timeline
Merchandise Planner – Apparel and Accessories
Cycle Gear
11.2016 - 08.2023
Control Buyer – Luggage and Gear
TravelSmith Outfitters, Inc.
11.2013 - 11.2016
Planner of Liquidations and Vendor Compliance
TravelSmith Outfitters, Inc.
08.2012 - 11.2013
Merchandise Manager, Toys, Electronics & Collectibles
Delivery Agent Inc.
09.2011 - 03.2012
Associate Buyer, Indoor and Outdoor Décor
Smith and Hawken
08.2008 - 08.2009
Assistant Buyer, Children’s Toys, Books & Media – Accounts Payable Lead – Inventory Control Specialist – Assistant Store Manager
Discovery Communications Inc./The Nature Company
03.1999 - 04.2008
High School Diploma -
Berkeley High School
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