Gia Bonnaure
Category Manager
Franklinville,NJ
Summary
Category Merchant intersecting trends, data and execution in a wholesale, retail and eCommerce perspective, aligning assortment, pricing, and promotional plans with demand signals across account-level categories. Builds 5+ promotional plans per quarter, and new item introductions, replacements, and discontinuations while partnering with sourcing and operations teams to support execution. Uses sales history, profitability, and trend research to keep assortments relevant and commercially strong.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manager
UNFI
07.2024 - Current
- Developed category strategies to enhance product assortment and maximize sales potential.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align marketing initiatives with category objectives and drive brand visibility.
- Monitored category performance metrics, identifying opportunities for growth and implementing action plans accordingly.
- Led product innovation initiatives, introducing new items that align with consumer demand and market trends.
- Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
- Researched, prepared for and led supplier negotiation process for managed category.
- Reduced business risk by improving contract coverage for suppliers in spend category.
- Measured campaign effectiveness using various metrics, adjusting strategies as needed to maximize results.
Buyer
Jacent Strategic Merchandising
01.2021 - 07.2024
- Analyzed and maintain category assortments by account including making recommendations for promotions, new item introductions, item replacements, item discontinuations, and pricing
- Collaborated with Product Development to continue to drive private label assortment and brands, assist in direct sourcing including partnering with our overseas sourcing team to create new products and oversee package designs
- Evaluated items and programs based on quality, viability, sales history, and profitability
- Evaluated items and programs based on quality, viability, sales history, and profitability's with existing and new suppliers, resulting in an increase in margin of 2% YoY
- Tracked new items, promotional and program approvals while working with the distribution, store operations, and replenishment team for implementation, increasing category sales by 4% YoY
- Collaborated and communicate with internal departments and teams such as the Retail Sales Management teams and Sales department on account and promotional opportunities and to ensure the customer’s needs are getting met, driving an increase in 20% in new SKU adoption
- Built trend right product assortment for Amazon.com using proven best sellers and margin advantageous products to grow the Ecommerce business
- Attended relevant industry trade shows and conferences to evaluate industry trends, identify and source new items
- Performed category reviews based on a set review schedule
- Created cross-merchandising mechanics and worked collaboratively to fulfill category needs
E-Commerce Category Buyer
Bodybuilding.com
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Implemented and manage strategic product financial plans through research and performance analysis
- Took lead role to brand owners with insightful reports to develop and implement data-driven product management strategies
- Collaborated with Marketing, Engineering, Creative and other global stakeholders to optimize product placement on digital assets and online spaces to drive and maximize sales
- Communicated product promotion plans with vendors and brand owners through reporting, meetings, and other documentation to ensure product success
- Analyzed E-Commerce specific KPIs (e.g., traffic, conversion, bounce back, cart abandonment rate, average order volume, etc.) Creating automated reports to improve time management
- Oversaw product presentation and category maintenance across the site, app and email marketing to ensure consistency and strong brand POV
- Mitigated risk impact through effective communication and data-driven decision making while partnering supply chain team
- Responsible for development and growth of Merchandise Assistants
Associate Merchant
GNC Corporate Headquarters
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Built a brand appropriate assortment in terms of trend, price point, key item depth and brand
- Analyzed performance and sales plans to guarantee proper inventory flow throughout channels while working with cross functional team members
- Grew and fostered relationships with all cross functional team members internally and externally to drive revenue
- Maintained receipts, margin, retails, and costs within product assortments while planning promotions to hit sales goals
- Researched market trends and attended virtual trade shows for category to ensure constant newness and trend right assortment
- Worked directly with 3rd party vendors on innovations, margin requirements, sales goals, in store signage and promotional activity
- Maintained a strong in store merchandising strategy to meet the needs of the consumer and have a line of vision for product
- Worked directly with private label cross functional team members to develop and maintain pipelines for a relevant assortment to support the lifestyle brand
Merchandising Operations Coordinator
GNC Corporate Headquarters
01.2018 - 01.2019
Assistant Buyer
A Pea
01.2016 - 01.2018
Men’s Buying Intern
Paul Stuart
01.2016
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Merchandising
LIM College
New York, NY 08.2015 - 01.2016
Skills
Data analytics
Supplier relationship management
Promotional planning
Pricing strategies
Vendor relations
Performance metrics
Power BI
Nielsen
Jira
Netsuite
Timeline
Category Manager
UNFI
07.2024 - Current
Buyer
Jacent Strategic Merchandising
01.2021 - 07.2024
E-Commerce Category Buyer
Bodybuilding.com
01.2020 - 01.2021
Associate Merchant
GNC Corporate Headquarters
01.2019 - 01.2020
Merchandising Operations Coordinator
GNC Corporate Headquarters
01.2018 - 01.2019
Assistant Buyer
A Pea
01.2016 - 01.2018
Men’s Buying Intern
Paul Stuart
01.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Merchandising
LIM College
08.2015 - 01.2016