James Helm

Strategic development and execution for the IBP cycle, KPI reporting, project management, and analysis for the Naked and Emerging Brands (NEB) Business Unit.

• Key team member working closely to develop and implement the IBP process for a new stand-up organization.
• Build and support IBP with particular ownership of key meetings in cycle.
• Strategically supports the Business Unit in leading and executing key supply chain initiatives.

Responsible for leading operational relationships with online retailers, brokers, and distributors, as well as supporting their OMNI-retailer teams in their planning and activation decisions - specifically tied to establishing and maintaining best-in-class service processes, capabilities, and capital to deliver upon top-performing service metrics.

• Led the development and execution of eCommerce supply chain capabilities and processes with key strategic online and OMNI-retailers.
• Business expert in driving efficient, operational growth. Tasked with working closely with cross-functional counterparts in sales, demand planning, finance, and marketing daily, throughout the entire Integrated Business Planning process.
• Actively engaged throughout the enterprise and externally with strategic sales partners in a cross-functional manner to drive mutual sales growth and profitability.

Main CPG supply chain contact overseeing various key strategic customers such as Amazon, Target, Grocery, and Dollar Channel responsible for item level forecasting, IBP alignment meetings across multiple Business Units, project management, and support to the sales team. Development of new processes and standard practices were necessary in this newly created role. Interaction with senior leadership on the performance of key accounts in relation to fines, project updates, and metrics required monthly.

• Project leader in the selection process and screening for a RFP on an eCommerce 3rd Party logistics provider and D2C partner.
• Successfully launched an Amazon Cross Dock and Full Truckload Program that significantly reduced LTL shipments, order lines, and lanes from +130 down to 15-20. This initiative reduced costs for the organization by over +$1.0M annually.
• Created processes and tracking resulting in the reductions to Amazon chargebacks while seeing substantial net sales revenue growth of +112% versus prior year.

Produce the forecast based on actual demand, trend analysis, and information gathering through collaborative inputs by item utilizing forecasting tools for Cosmetics, Skincare, and Fragrance categories with $300M in sales. VMI category responsibilities for Walgreens. Directly managed the developmental and professional growth of 3-direct reports.

• Created an item level forecast tool for the next 18-months on over +1,000 items along with KPIs and tracking to improve forecast accuracy and on-time performance.
• Establish an account level IBP process to facilitate consensus of categories with the sales team, account Vice President, finance, and demand/supply planning teams.
• Constructed new items launch and pipeline forecasts and expected replenishment based on clone or like items and past performance for upcoming POG resets.

Developed the merchandise financial plan, including sales margin, inventory turnover, GMROI, markdown management, and in-stock percentages. Accountable for delivering sales and margin targets through flawless execution of the merchandise flow plan while ensuring that receipts and ending inventory targets were achieved according to plan. Familiar with planning highly seasonal and basic businesses to maximize profitability.

• Managed a team of 7-10 inventory analysts responsible for the allocation and replenishment for the entire Sears Footwear Division with $600M in sales annually and $400M in receipts at cost.
• Planning Manager for the merchandise financial plan, including sales margin, inventory turnover, GMROI, and markdowns under the Sears and Kmart banners for both highly seasonal and basic goods. Managed and developed 2-3 inventory analysts who mostly were recent college grads.