Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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JAMES D. ZEMANEK, JR.

Tallmadge,OH

Summary

High performing business professional with 13+ years of experience in merchandise planning, allocation, and inventory management across diverse product categories and channels. Proven track record of leading large teams (30+) to success within a $2.2 billion net sales, $560 million working capital, 830+ stores and eCommerce Retail Brand. Skilled in developing cross-collaborative relationships, teams, and individuals, to deliver company objectives.

Innovative approach with a history of providing new business ideas and process improvements to increase the bottom line. Track record for achieving financial objectives, integrity, and results throughout the organization. Seeking a challenging leadership role to apply expertise in driving organizational growth and delivering exceptional results.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Director Planning & Replenishment

Joann Stores, LLC
04.2019 - 08.2023
  • .Collaborated with senior leadership to build pre-season and in-season Merchandise Financial Plans across broad ranges of soft-line and hard-line categories; $2.2 billion Net Sales, $560 million working capital.
  • Partnered with merchants to forecast and present monthly financial results and strategies to senior leadership.
  • Directed monthly projections of inventory, markdowns, stock outs; Provided strategic inventory management recommendations to maximize company profits and turn.
  • Effectively led and developed teams of 5-7 direct reports and 25-30 in-direct reports.
  • Built strong culture and improved morale within Category Management Teams through collaborative efforts across Merchandising and Planning.

Key Accomplishments:

  • Delivered double digit Sales comp growth during 2020 through strategic omni channel inventory management.
  • Reduced end of year working capital $60M over three years through optimization of 40,000 Basic SKUs’ Service Level targets and strategic reduction of Fashion and Seasonal receipts.
  • Reduced hardline clearance inventory 17% and increased inventory turnover 36% YoY.
  • Led highly cross-functional Fabric Optimization project to modernize inventory management and visual presentation in stores.
  • Collaborated with GMM Merchant in development and implementation of Fabric Exit Strategy to increase profitably, move through slow sellers, and open room for increased flow of newness.
  • Drove efficiency and quality of assortments through reengineering of obsolete Buy Process.
  • Worked directly with business analysts to create standardized reporting, dashboards, and templates to use organization wide.
  • Streamlined product purchasing process, while incorporating governance
  • Successfully transitioned planning team to new ERP system (EP Blue Yonder).
  • Implemented new organizational structure allowing for career pathing within Planning and Replenishment.

Manager Merchandise Planning

Joann Stores, LLC
09.2017 - 03.2019
  • Led merchandise planning team of 3 direct reports.
  • Developed and implemented demand forecasting models to optimize inventory levels.
  • Built standardized reporting to evaluate business consistently across all of Joann.
  • Mentored and coached team members and implemented process improvements.

Sr. Manager Store Planning

Sunglass Hut - Luxottica
09.2016 - 09.2017
  • Managed team of 4 responsible for ensuring proper product allocation to fleet of 1700+ stores.
  • Worked cross-functionally to execute strategies and provided updates to Executive Leadership Team.
  • Collaborated with international partners to align domestic strategies with company's vision.
  • Developed processes for global implementation on store rollouts.

Ecommerce Planning Manager

Sunglass Hut - Luxottica
11.2013 - 09.2016
  • Led planning strategy across multiple websites, resulting in significant revenue growth.
  • Key business driver that helped grow revenue more than 2.5x over three years to ~10% total domestic sales.
  • Increased assortment size and while increasing turn acquiring inventory through various channels.
  • Traveled frequently to both internal and external (3PL) distribution centers driving projects to optimize supply chain.
  • Analyzed promotions and made strategic decisions in partnership with cross-functional teams.
  • Managed P&L and reported on key KPIs driving growth of 85 bps in profit margin and 32% in sales YoY.

Sr. Merchandise Planner

LensCrafters - Luxottica
04.2013 - 11.2013
  • Managed purchasing and brand planning, analyzing open-to-buy and stock positions within Sun Category at LensCrafters.
  • Improved reverse logistics compliance and developed streamlined processes.
  • Created sales projections and adjusted purchase plans to maximize inventory with volume responsibility of ~$200M annual revenue.
  • Identified risks and established opportunities to drive growth and increase profit through effective inventory management.

Sr. Inventory Planner

LensCrafters - Luxottica
05.2011 - 03.2013
  • Managed reverse logistics processes and improved compliance from 50% to 92% saving $1M annually.
  • Analyzed KPIs and made data-driven decisions.
  • Streamlined inefficiencies and improved inventory management.

Product Process Analyst

Lenscrafters - Luxottica
05.2010 - 04.2011
  • Oversaw projects, including system conversion and store acquisitions.
  • Ensured smooth transitions without impacting customers.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Finance

Miami University
Oxford, OH
05.2010

Skills

  • Team Building and Development
  • Collaboration and Negotiation
  • Leadership and Project Management
  • Process Improvements
  • Online, Store, and Omni Channel Planning
  • Merchandise Planning and Strategy
  • Inventory Management
  • Distribution and Allocation

Timeline

Director Planning & Replenishment

Joann Stores, LLC
04.2019 - 08.2023

Manager Merchandise Planning

Joann Stores, LLC
09.2017 - 03.2019

Sr. Manager Store Planning

Sunglass Hut - Luxottica
09.2016 - 09.2017

Ecommerce Planning Manager

Sunglass Hut - Luxottica
11.2013 - 09.2016

Sr. Merchandise Planner

LensCrafters - Luxottica
04.2013 - 11.2013

Sr. Inventory Planner

LensCrafters - Luxottica
05.2011 - 03.2013

Product Process Analyst

Lenscrafters - Luxottica
05.2010 - 04.2011

Bachelor of Science - Finance

Miami University