Emmy Werst
Bentonville,AR
Summary
Results-driven Category Advisor with expertise in supplier relationships and data interpretation. Successfully managed multi-million dollar categories, implementing effective merchandising strategies that drove significant sales growth and improved supplier connections.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Advisor
Newell Brands Inc.
Bentonville, AR
05.2016 - Current
- Responsible for management of the $650M writing category at Walmart, 500+ skus
- Responsible for 2 additional categories during Back to School season, additional $200M and 100 skus
- Streamlined processes by implementing efficient tools and systems to better manage category performance metrics
- Trained and mentored associate merchants on category advisor principles and product knowledge
- Managed merchant partnerships effectively, fostering positive working relationships and bolster overall supplier connection
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions for category challenges during Back to School season
- Collaborated with merchandising teams to ensure optimal shelf positioning of products, enhancing overall shopper experience
Business Operations Manager
General Electric Company
Bentonville, AR
05.2013 - 01.2016
- Negotiated and executed over 120 Energy Star Rebate programs at Walmart that provided $35M annually in instant rebate funding from utility partners for 90+ GE skus in 1,600 stores
- Managed all utility budgets and handled monthly billing process, $17M annually. Simplified and reduced billing process by 300%, reduced write-offs by 250% saving the business $393K
- Led cross functional team to develop first Walmart Dot Com Lighting App. Managed maintenance for 300+ skus
- Optimized secondary placement resulting in $10M in additional sales
Category Advisor
General Electric Company
Bentonville, AR
08.2007 - 05.2013
- Responsible for management of the $500M lighting category at Walmart, 400+ skus
- Assisted Walmart and GE in driving CFL sales, reaching $100M goal 3 months early
- Launched first permanent lighting fixture near grocery in 2,000 stores, drove 20% in incremental sales
- Taught Lighting 101 to new Walmart associates in Dept 11 and new GE employees
Category Advisor
Springs Global US
Bentonville, AR
01.2005 - 08.2007
- Responsible for management of the $900M bedding category at Walmart, 2,000+ skus
- Managed store of the community opportunities which drove a 20% sales lift
- Managed a junior advisor and trained on Prospace and Retail Link
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Southern Arkansas University
Magnolia, AR05-2022
Skills
- Supplier relationship
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Reliability
- Effective communication
- Assortment optimization
- Merchandising strategies
- Data interpretation
- Professionalism
Timeline
Category Advisor
Newell Brands Inc.
05.2016 - Current
Business Operations Manager
General Electric Company
05.2013 - 01.2016
Category Advisor
General Electric Company
08.2007 - 05.2013
Category Advisor
Springs Global US
01.2005 - 08.2007
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Southern Arkansas University