Howard Gamondi
Summary
Experienced supply chain management, procurement, and merchandising professional with a Master's degree. Proven track record of excelling in fast-paced environments through driving efficiency, cost savings, and product success via cross-functional collaboration. Proficient in utilizing ERP/MRP systems, conducting data analysis, and managing supplier relationships. Skilled at influencing stakeholders and executing strategies to optimize operations for maximum impact.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Category Manager
RS Group
04.2024 - 02.2025
- Seamlessly integrated into the newly merged RS Group and Distrelec, demonstrating adaptability to evolving team dynamics and company culture while rapidly mastering and implementing new systems, policies, and procedures to drive operational continuity.
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to execute commercial strategies (eg. inventory planners, content teams, accounts payable, suppliers, pricing analysts, and local product managers), contributing to the growth and management of RS products and suppliers.
- Managed a £50M product portfolio in collaboration with the Category Manager within a £400M category, driving cost optimization initiatives and profitability strategies to enhance overall business performance.
- Fostered strategic relationships across 32 markets, enhancing market presence and operational efficiency
- Launched 8k products, leading range management, new product introductions, and helped monitor the product lifecycle from launch to discontinuation.
- Negotiated and managed supplier timelines to align with business objectives, securing a £150K rebate through strategic collaboration and execution.
- Partnered with managers to streamline operations and enhance performance.
- Managed product and price file maintenance, ensuring accurate cost management and timely resolution of invoice discrepancies.
- Managed and optimized product setup processes between a key supplier and the inventory team, ensuring accurate and efficient onboarding of hundreds of SKUs to maintain seamless category performance.
Own Brand Product Assistant
Distrelec
07.2023 - 04.2024
- Support and maintain Distrelec's Own Brand and product categories while working closely with the product managers and Own Brand manager to ensure timeliness for Brand strategy.
- Support with NPI (New Product Introductions) set up, managing critical path and ensure best in class content and data to support digital sales and search.
- First in contact for sales team internally and communicating customers for product enquires in a timely manner
- Assist with team biggest profit within the business making over 1.019M in Jan 2024.
- Contribute to the delivery of sales and margin performance of the assigned product category in line with agreed targets.
- Build strong relationships with product management, quality & compliance, marketing, suppliers, and product data teams to help create successful products.
- Conducted market analysis to help improve Own brand's products and help to make sure we align with competitors.
- Began process with owning an small product category with Own Brand team for future growth and experience.
Buying Assistant
Clair de Lune
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Spearheaded procurement operations, managing supplier relationships across China, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the UK, negotiating contracts that reduced costs and ensuring 95%+ on-time deliveries.
- Negotiated supplier terms and pricing, leading to a 5% reduction in procurement costs and increasing profitability.
- Conducted in-depth market research, identifying consumer trends that drove growth in product sales.
- Optimized ERP/MRP systems, improving inventory accuracy by, reducing stockouts, and streamlining purchase order management.
- Led supplier audits and visits, ensuring 100% compliance with quality standards and production schedules.
- Provided competitive shopping insights that resulted in revenue growth through optimized product assortments.
- Managed the development and approval of strike-offs, lab dips, and gold seals, accelerating approval timelines by 10% for key customers.
- Collaborated with corporate teams to launch new products and promotions, contributing to 10% increase in brand visibility and sales.
Digital Marketing Intern
Franchi E Punto
02.2022 - 05.2022
- Created engaging content for Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Designed and presented social media campaign ideas.
- Tracked social media trends and adapted to attract target follower demographic.
- Monitored and studied how fashion, beauty and entertainment trends intersect for SS23.
Education
Master of Science - Fashion Buying & Merchandising Management
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester, UKBachelor of Fine Arts - Fashion Design
Howard University
Washington, DCSkills
- Vendor Management
- ERP, MRP, SAP Systems
- Power BI
- Product Lifecycle Optimization
- Market Trend Analysis
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Inventory Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Negotiation
- Cost Optimization
Timeline
Assistant Category Manager
RS Group
04.2024 - 02.2025
Own Brand Product Assistant
Distrelec
07.2023 - 04.2024
Buying Assistant
Clair de Lune
07.2022 - 07.2023
Digital Marketing Intern
Franchi E Punto
02.2022 - 05.2022
Master of Science - Fashion Buying & Merchandising Management
Manchester Metropolitan University
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Fashion Design
Howard University
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