Dana Pilson
Cambridge,Canada
Summary
Procurement and supply chain leader with progressive experience spanning high-volume food distribution, retail buying, inventory planning, vendor management, merchandising, and national account development. Promoted from Operational Buyer to Purchasing Manager at HelloFresh, with accountability for buyer team leadership, purchase-order execution, COGS oversight, supplier performance, shortage mitigation, and cross-functional production continuity. Combines analytical discipline with strong negotiation, relationship management, and commercial judgment developed across procurement, retail, and wholesale environments.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Sales Executive, Hosiery & Accessories
HG International
Markham, ON
01.2022
- Presented complete hosiery and accessories assortments to retail clients, translating product specifications, market trends, and customer needs into commercial recommendations.
- Identified new business through prospecting, cold outreach, networking, and persuasive sales presentations while maintaining responsive service for existing accounts.
- Collaborated on manufacturing and product-development improvements designed to increase efficiency, profitability, and market relevance.
- Processed customer purchase orders accurately and resolved account concerns promptly to strengthen satisfaction and retention.
Purchasing Manager
HelloFresh
Mississauga, ON
01.2024 - Current
- Lead and mentor a team of distribution-centre buyers responsible for accurate daily and weekly purchase-order execution in a fast-paced production environment.
- Own operational procurement spend and COGS performance, investigate weekly and monthly budget variances, and advance cost-saving opportunities.
- Partner with Production, Warehousing, and Quality Assurance to resolve material constraints, remove operational bottlenecks, and protect production continuity.
- Act as the primary escalation point for complex supplier performance and fulfilment issues, driving timely resolution while safeguarding service levels and supply chain integrity.
- Track and communicate supply chain KPIs, including production-impacting shortages, ingredient substitutions, vendor performance, and Purchase-to-Pay invoice approval efficiency.
Operational Buyer
HelloFresh
Mississauga, ON
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Managed weekly procurement requirements across Canadian operations, supporting on-time, in-full, and in-quality delivery of critical ingredients.
- Translated demand requirements into purchase plans, monitored inventory and material consumption, and adjusted ordering to reduce shortages, excess stock, and waste.
- Controlled weekly purchasing spend, prepared detailed cost reporting, reconciled discrepancies, and recovered supplier credits owed.
- Resolved supply disruptions with internal stakeholders and suppliers, implementing practical alternatives to maintain uninterrupted production.
- Improved forecasting, ordering, supplier onboarding, and ingredient-introduction workflows while analyzing vendor KPIs to identify trends and mitigate risk.
Assistant Buyer
Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) & Home Outfitters
Brampton, ON
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Supported buying and category management across Women’s Accessories, Furniture, Cookware, Bedding, Bath, HBC Stripes private brand, and Olympics merchandise.
- Co-developed promotional and sales plans, advertising layouts, themed events, and in-store activity to support category revenue and inventory objectives.
- Analyzed SKU productivity, category history, advertising performance, and merchandise movement to inform assortment, space allocation, pricing, and markdown decisions.
- Managed thousands of SKUs, coordinated product samples and marketing approvals, and produced accurate daily and weekly sales reporting.
- Partnered with buyers and cross-functional teams to adjust plans based on performance trends, inventory position, and evolving business needs.
Canadian Sales Executive
The Unique Group
Toronto, ON
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Managed the Canadian sales division and consistently exceeded weekly and monthly prospecting targets while expanding the territory from the GTA to a national customer base.
- Developed and presented a corporate proposal that secured the largest account in company history.
- Built durable client relationships and collaborated on product concepts, prototypes, and daily communication with global factories and vendors.
Senior Account Manager, Merchandiser & Outside Sales Representative
Pink Martini Collection
Toronto, ON
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Managed and grew a portfolio of more than 900 active wholesale accounts, including invoicing, accounts receivable, relationship management, and outside sales.
- Analyzed sales data and market signals to reforecast trends, shape seasonal merchandise strategies, and support financial targets.
- Sourced new markets and vendors to drive wholesale growth while implementing inventory strategies to reduce aged stock.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)
Los Angeles, CA01-2009
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Honolulu, HI01-2006
Skills
- Strategic Procurement
- Purchase Order Management
- Inventory & Demand Planning
- COGS & Variance Analysis
- Supplier Performance
- Purchase-to-Pay (P2P)
- Shortage & Risk Mitigation
- Team Leadership
- Cross-Functional Operations
- SKU Management
- Retail Buying & Merchandising
- Account Management
LEADERSHIP & ACHIEVEMENT
NCAA student-athlete and scholarship swimmer at the University of Hawai‘i, balancing academics with more than 40 hours per week of training and competition., Recipient of multiple regional and high-school swimming medals.
Timeline
Purchasing Manager
HelloFresh
01.2024 - Current
Operational Buyer
HelloFresh
01.2023 - 01.2024
Senior Sales Executive, Hosiery & Accessories
HG International
01.2022
Assistant Buyer
Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) & Home Outfitters
01.2016 - 01.2021
Canadian Sales Executive
The Unique Group
01.2014 - 01.2015
Senior Account Manager, Merchandiser & Outside Sales Representative
Pink Martini Collection
01.2010 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)