JAMES PARKER
Manor,TX
Summary
James is a pop culture expert with nearly 20 years of experience in retail specializing in Comics, Books, Collectible Products (Action Figures, Statues, vinyl collectibles), Table Top Games, and Board Games. James has a keen ability to identify hot trends and licenses early on with an instinct as to what consumers want for each property and how best to deliver it to them. He has an intimate knowledge of a multitude of pop culture licenses and is continuously adding to that knowledge regularly. His time as a buyer has given him the business acumen necessary to plan and execute long and short-term projects, lead teams, and separate fandom from business as needed. He is well-versed in working with and maintaining strong relationships with game, toy, and comic industry developers and vendors while ensuring he presents only the best possible image for the company he represents. James intends to continue to develop and grow new skills while honing existing skills with interests in consumer product development, licensing, marketing, and communications. He is also well-versed in social media with active accounts on trending platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. In his spare time, James balances his days between gaming, both video games and tabletop, and spending time with his wife and dogs. He is also a collector of vinyl records and pop culture memorabilia.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
PROJECT GENIUS
02.2022 - 10.2023
- James oversaw product deadlines and communication from concept to final product delivery
- He worked closely with and helped guide inventors, artists, factories, and others to ensure only the best product was produced for Project Genius
- James also managed social media and many marketing aspects for Project Genius
- This included writing product and site copy, managing the website, maintaining a social media presence on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, working with influencers, seeking out opportunities through partnerships, gift guides, and more
- Some Projects worked on Included - Head Spin Game - Cryptic Christmas - True Genius Thors Hammer - True Genius Egyptian Coin Trade - Hypno-Twist - Hyper- Twist
SR BUYER/GENERAL MERCHANDISE
BOOKSAMILLION/BAM.COM/SECOND & CHARLES
12.2019 - 02.2022
- Buyer over Adult Collectibles, Funko Product Assortment, Board Games, Puzzles, Playing Cards, and Collectible Card Games
- Managed product selection for categories for two brick-and-mortar chains totaling 240 locations as well as an online website
- 60+ million-dollar business across all categories
- Maintained and grew categories during a pandemic year with less traffic and store closures
- This resulted in a positive growth above plan, exceeding expectations
- Negotiated terms with vendors, including NET payment terms, discounts, Co-op, returns, write-offs, and promotions
- Managed a team of two associates who were responsible for buying duties over keychains, licensed home goods, licensed apparel, and consumables
- Was responsible for growth development and leadership with the goal of future promotion and placement for his team members as opportunities arise
- James worked closely with the web and marketing team to list and drive sales for key items online and in stores
- He appeared in and helped produce videos meant for store use featuring products and information on upcoming category changes
- Managed planograms, and flowagrams and wrote merchandising standards that are used in conjunction with his category responsibilities
- Maintained a full media calendar that calls out all major and key media releases in film, television, video games, pop culture events, etc
- This calendar was used to determine future in-store programs and marketing pushes
- Actively sought out new vendors and introduced known vendors to BooksAMillion/2NC further diversifying the store offerings allowing the company to remain competitive in all gen merch categories
- Maintained relationships with licensors at CDProjektRed, Warner, Disney, Striker Entertainment, among others
- Worked with key vendors such as Hasbro, McFarlane, NECA, Super7, and others to not only obtain key products but to also help guide vendors to trending and important licenses
- Maintained positive relationships with all vendors ensuring a mutual partnership between all respective parties at all times
- Developed exclusives and new product lines with various vendors to help improve assortment and generate sales
- Some exclusives include (but are not limited to): Multiple Funko Pop exclusives, new exclusive vinyl figures from YouTooz, multiple licensed exclusive puzzles, and more.
BUYER COLLECTIBLES/HARDLINES
GAMESTOP/THINKGEEK
02.2018 - 12.2019
- Buyer over Action Figures, Statues, Prop Replicas, and books
- Managed product selection for categories for 3800+ locations including an online website
- Negotiated terms with vendors, including NET payment terms, discounts, Co-op, returns, write-offs, and promotions
- Generated ~$85 Million in revenue for fiscal 2018 across four categories in the first year of employment
- Established relationships with key vendors allowing Gamestop to be on the forefront of licenses such as Fortnite and TMNT
- Maintained positive sales growth year over year while maintaining a healthy inventory
- Introduced several new vendors and reestablished relationships with old vendors to help differentiate product mix from competitors
- Worked with key vendors (Such as McFarlane Toys) to develop product lines across all categories
- Worked with IT to help improve buying systems making tasks more streamlined and efficient
- Worked closely with Marketing to develop plans that ensure the key product is selected for ads, social media, and any additional marketing elements
- Worked closely with Allocations and planning to ensure proper allocations to stores to maximize sell-through
- Helping to develop a markdown cadence to ensure a healthier inventory and reduce store clutter
- Maintained a strong relationship with the leadership to keep lines of communication open at all times
- Managed associate buyers, helping develop their skillsets toward the goal of becoming a buyer
- Traveled as needed to trade shows, game studios, and vendor locations to conduct business and identify new & and upcoming product lines, develop future exclusive products, and establish strategies for mutual growth
- Negotiated multiple exclusives for Gamestop including but not limited to: Multiple licensed statues (Marvel, DC, Video Game properties Various vendors) Multiple-Licensed Prop replicas Ninja Turtles Action figure line – NECA Multiple additional action figures – NECA/McFarlane/Hasbro Developed Exclusive Hasbro 'Gamer Greats' Action figure line for Gamestop stores
- Worked with DC Entertainment to procure an exclusive Batman/Ninja Turtles line for 2019
BUYER GAMES/PUZZLES
CALENDAR HOLDINGS (GO! GAMES AND TOYS)
08.2016 - 02.2018
- Buyer over Games, Puzzles, Books, and Apparel
- Managed product selection for Games, Puzzles, Books, and Apparel for 70-100 year-round and 600 seasonal locations
- Negotiated terms with vendors, including NET payment terms, discounts, Co-op, returns, write-offs, and promotions
- Helped develop new games, puzzles & and other products both internally and with vendors to sell exclusively in Go! Games locations
- Worked with key apparel vendors, and developed a Men's Tee Program to fill in space left by Previous Seasons Calendars in stores
- This program ran in 50 store locations during that time
- Worked with Product Planning to determine planograms for various stores and kiosks
- Also assisted in determining the minimum allocations for stores
- Worked with the Store Fixture Team to determine the location and types of fixtures needed for stores
- Worked with the e-commerce team to maintain product levels and acquired exclusive products for sale on 3P sites, such as Amazon
- Worked with Store Operations to determine proper signage and promotions for the stores while building the process for store operators to execute properly
- Traveled as needed to trade shows and vendor locations to conduct business and identify new & and upcoming product lines
- Monitored sales and warehouse inventory to ensure product hot products were available for stores
- Conducted Photo reviews of stores to determine if stores are following/maintaining operational and merchandising standards
- Worked with IT, and provided guidelines to implement important changes to the purchasing and reporting systems
- Helped develop a markdown/write-off system developed to keep inventory in control
- Negotiated several exclusives for the GoGames Fall Season.
BUYER
THINKGEEK.COM
04.2014 - 04.2015
- Buyer for Books, Men's Apparel, Board Games, Collectibles, Action Figures, Posters, Plush, Prop Replicas and Comics
- As the buyer for these categories, James managed all aspects of the product from sourcing, data entry, maintaining safety guidelines, ordering, product launches, selection management, cost negotiations, reorders, and markdowns
- Ensured margin dollars on products, and tracked sales, and sell-off percentage
- Worked with other buyers, distribution, UX team, operations, marketing & and creative teams to ensure proper execution of item launches and programs on categories under his care
- Set up and Negotiate Terms, Coop/RDA, Markdown Funds, and Promotions with new and existing Vendors
- Helped to train and mentor other Buyers and team members to help them grow and develop their skills to help provide ThinkGeek with a stronger staff
- Maintained and developed vendor relations through direct contact and positive feedback while making sound decisions that have a positive impact on both ThinkGeek and the vendor partners
- Attended Trade shows such as New York Comic Con, New York Toy Fair, Gen Con, and others as needed to review new products, stay ahead of the trend, and work with Vendors on all aspects of the ThinkGeek relationship
- Worked with the tradeshow team to help procure exclusive and unique items to sell at tradeshows
- Partnered with other buyers on key licenses such as Doctor Who, Star Trek, and Star Wars to ensure new and unique products were being obtained and promoted
- Shortly after joining ThinkGeek James took the men's apparel category for the remainder of 2014 and began diversifying our selection based on pop culture and related apparel products
- Was able to secure many exclusive designs & and styles for our site to pull the category out of a long-term negative trend
- Due to these efforts, the category has shown positive growth during the 1st Quarter of 2015
- Grew the Game department from a -10% comp to a current positive comp with continued growth
- He accomplished this by identifying and introducing a new selection of games that best fit the brand and teaming up with vendors & and publishers to obtain exclusive promotional items to draw customers to our site
- Working with HR, started a monthly Game Night for the office, bringing in various game publishers to demonstrate their games and interact with the office staff
- This has helped to encourage positive staff morale and has allowed members of marketing and the creative team to gain first-hand experience with our game product selection
- Negotiated exclusives to draw customers to the ThinkGeek website thus giving the site an edge over the competition.
LEAD SR. BUYER TRENDS
HASTINGS ENTERTAINMENT
10.2009 - 04.2014
- Sr. Buyer over Action Figures, Collectibles, Games, Consumables, Comics/Graphic Novels, Roleplaying, Wall Décor
- Reported directly to the VP of Sales while Managing a Team of four buyers to ensure all projects and buys were completed in conjunction with other product teams
- Work with them to determine and coordinate selection, maintain Open to Buy, enforce data integrity, and handle high-level vendor relations
- Work with Sales Analyst and Allocator to determine replenishment and store allocation for top-selling items
- As a buyer for these categories, James managed all aspects of the product life including purchasing, selection management, vendor relations, merchandising, advertising, marketing, promotion, & and store distribution for both new & and previously owned products within my category for over 120 locations in 20 states
- Ensured margin dollars on product, tracked sales and sell percentage, maintained and monitored returnable and non-returnable products, worked with other Hastings product teams, distribution, data, IT, merchandising, operations, social media & advertising teams to ensure proper execution of programs, and projects that directly affect areas of his responsibility
- In 3 years, grew the sales for the Comic Department from under $3 million to $6 million
- In 2013 James increased sales comp 2013 by 30% for the year in the Comic Department while continuing to maintain and grow the action figure department resulting in one of Hastings strongest years in the categories at the time
- Launched and maintained a full comics 'boutique' section in the stores making Hastings Entertainment the largest Direct Market Comic Book retailer in the world, physically located in more markets than any competitor in the industry
- My work increased sales in Role-playing, Comics, Manga, and graphic novels through selection management, category development, and strategic buying practices
- During this time, James developed and maintained a successful Variant Comic program with many of the major publishers that allowed Hastings to carry exclusive variant comic books with special covers in the stores and online
- In 2012, working with the IT department and operations, James designed, implemented, and launched a comic 'pull and Hold' subscription program in all of the Hastings store locations
- This program provided customers with the ability to select, order & and receive comics every month which are held for them for pick up every week
- This allowed stores to offer a broader selection of comics beyond the store's capacity which encouraged the continued growth of the comic sections in all stores
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with vendors such as Marvel Comics, Paizo Publishing, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse Publishing, Boom! Studios, Diamond Comics, Funko, Mezco, Sideshow Collectibles, Think Geek, NECA, and many others resulting in exclusive items, Store Variant comics, special sales & and promotions for the stores
- Negotiated exclusives or shared exclusives on the below items to draw customers to Hastings in stores and online.
Education
High School Diploma -
Del Rio High School
Del Rio1997
Skills
- Vendor Relationship Management
- Trend Forecasting
- Vendor Negotiations
- Decision-Making
- Copywriting Expertise
- Business Acumen
- Product Procurement
- Industry Trends
- Project Management
- Consumer Buying Habits
- Relationship Building
- Sales Forecasting
References
Janet Bareis, Managing Partner, Retail Origami,
479-531-9306
Jen Cassidy, VP Business Dev/Licensing, Super 7,
847-909-7494
Donna Bruschi, Global Brand Director, EA Electronic Arts
917-579-0858
John Frazier, Merchandise and Products Manager, Complexly ,
703-554-3767
David Gabriel, SVP Print, Sales & Marketing, Marvel Publishing Worldwide,
917-685-2520
Kuo-yu Liang, Founder, Ku Worldwide,
917-769-6595
Ty Liotta, Director of Sales/Product Development (former), ThinkGeek,
240-476-6805
Pierce Watters, Founder, Multiclass Consulting Inc ,
425-289-9993
Tom Rushton, Principal at Revenew Sales LLC , Revenew Sales & Marketing,
910-617-9949
Timeline
PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
PROJECT GENIUS
02.2022 - 10.2023
SR BUYER/GENERAL MERCHANDISE
BOOKSAMILLION/BAM.COM/SECOND & CHARLES
12.2019 - 02.2022
BUYER COLLECTIBLES/HARDLINES
GAMESTOP/THINKGEEK
02.2018 - 12.2019
BUYER GAMES/PUZZLES
CALENDAR HOLDINGS (GO! GAMES AND TOYS)
08.2016 - 02.2018
BUYER
THINKGEEK.COM
04.2014 - 04.2015
LEAD SR. BUYER TRENDS
HASTINGS ENTERTAINMENT
10.2009 - 04.2014
High School Diploma -
Del Rio High School
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