Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
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Timeline
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Elaine Hoover

New York,USA

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven retail buyer with over 10 years of experience in off-price retail, adept at managing multi-million-dollar portfolios for a 600-store chain. Professional in merchandise management with track record of optimizing product assortments and enhancing store profitability. Known for collaborative approach and consistent results in dynamic retail environments. Reliable in adapting to shifting market demands and skilled in vendor relations and team leadership.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Merchandise Manager – Girls 4-16 Apparel

Citi Trends
07.2023 - 03.2025
  • Oversaw a $40M portfolio, realigning assortments based on trend analysis to capitalize on market opportunities.
  • Collaborated with planning teams on receipt strategies, AUR targets, markup optimization, and Open-to-Buy management.
  • Led and mentored a team of two buyers, enhancing assortment planning and daily operational efficiency.

Buyer - Ladies Athletic/Casual Footwear, Kids Footwear

Citi Trends
08.2021 - 07.2023
  • Identified emerging trends in women's casual footwear, resulting in a $1.3M year-over-year sales increase.
  • Partnered with Planning and Divisional Merchandise Managers to develop trend-driven strategies.
  • Mentored an Assistant Buyer, facilitating their promotion to Buyer within two years, subsequently overseeing kids' footwear.

Buyer - Men’s Accessories

Citi Trends
01.2018 - 09.2021
  • Achieved consistent 10% year-over-year comp sales growth through strategic assortment expansion and vendor optimization across 12 categories.
  • Developed a Q4 gift-giving department from inception, generating $4M in sales.

Buyer - Dresses

Citi Trends
03.2012 - 12.2017
  • Managed a $37M business across 540 stores, prioritizing initiatives to maximize sales and profitability.
  • Mentored an Associate Buyer, guiding their transition to manage the Scrub business segment.
  • Developed upfront buying strategies to ensure comprehensive coverage of key trends and categories.
  • Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.

Buyer-Petite and Plus Separates, Running of the Bride

Syms/Filene’s Basement
08.2011 - 12.2011
  • Led negotiations on cost and terms, establishing relationships with bridal boutiques for the 'Running of the Bride' events.
  • Collaborated with planners to ensure optimal merchandise allocation across stores, aligning pricing strategies with counterparts.

Buyer-Plus Separates

Burlington Coat Factory
01.2009 - 05.2011
  • Managed a $33M business across 450 stores, overseeing nine classifications and identifying opportunities within the plus-size segment.
  • Built a strong Junior Plus business that ultimately became so strong a new buying position was created.
  • Collaborated with planners to develop fiscal plans and growth strategies, supervising and training two assistant buyers.


Education

A.S. - Fashion marketing

Art Institute of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

B.A. - marketing Management

William Paterson University
Wayne, NJ

Skills

  • Assortment optimization expertise
  • Vendor negotiation expertise
  • Sales forecasting
  • Collaborative team management
  • Excel proficiency and data analysis
  • Inventory management

<Enter your own>

Title: Buying, retail management

Timeline

Merchandise Manager – Girls 4-16 Apparel

Citi Trends
07.2023 - 03.2025

Buyer - Ladies Athletic/Casual Footwear, Kids Footwear

Citi Trends
08.2021 - 07.2023

Buyer - Men’s Accessories

Citi Trends
01.2018 - 09.2021

Buyer - Dresses

Citi Trends
03.2012 - 12.2017

Buyer-Petite and Plus Separates, Running of the Bride

Syms/Filene’s Basement
08.2011 - 12.2011

Buyer-Plus Separates

Burlington Coat Factory
01.2009 - 05.2011

B.A. - marketing Management

William Paterson University

A.S. - Fashion marketing

Art Institute of Philadelphia

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