Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Jared Francois

Fitchburg,WI

Summary

Recent graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University with a major in Fashion Merchandising. Currently working as an Assistant Merchandise Manager at Land's End. Inspired by working on exciting innovative product that allows me to show my natural passion for the fashion industry as well as being able to collaborate with others. Being able to effectively communicate with and learn from others keeps me excited to continue to grow within my career.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Assistant Merchandise Manager - Women's Knit Tops

Land's End
05.2023 - Current
  • Assisted in curating product collection for women's knit tops business that injected newness into the brand and helped category reach more than $50 million in annual revenue as well as become most profitable department in women's apparel.
  • Helped craft category strategies, create assortment, and asses product performance. Adapting to real time selling throughout the season to help improve sales and determine best selling styles to adopt into future assortment
  • Created weekly selling reports consisting of top new styles and colors across women's apparel with key insights for business review meetings. Presented first week catalog reads to cross-functional teams to highlight newness and identify working product
  • Conducted market research and consumer behavior to identify white space in product offering, then create visual briefs to present to cross-functional teams

Product Development Intern

Area Studios
05.2022 - 08.2022
  • Assisted in developing samples in house by prepping presentation documents, sourcing and cutting fabric, sew by samples. Worked with cross functional teams in daily process from initial concept through adaptation.
  • Created and maintained documents and archives related to development, including tech packs and assortment boards etc.
  • Organized product tech packs and samples ready for shipment by tagging styles and recording courier information. Complied trims, sample fabric, thread etc. for each style.
  • Collaborated with design team on sample feedback and attended fit meetings to record comments and changes in development.

Men’s Global Merchandising Intern

COACH
06.2021 - 08.2021
  • Supported cross-functional teams in brainstorming merchandise strategies for product that met department benchmarks as well as satisfied customer needs across physical and digital mediums.
  • Conducted competitor shopping in market in order to research trends and product possibilities for future merchandise.
  • Met with sales team to analyze merchandise performance and interpret sales data in order to highlight opportunities and risks.
  • Communicated and highlighted market and sales trends through seasonal brief presentations with purpose to grow business and deliver profitable results.

Summer Intern

Black Retail Action Group
06.2021 - 08.2021
  • Virtual professional development program for students of color in all aspects of the business of fashion.
  • Attended numerous meetings with industry professionals discussing topics including maximizing omni-channel effectiveness, product development and analyzing product performance.
  • Studied the factors affecting the current state of luxury retail and merchandising as well as how retail looks like in the future.
  • Worked with fellow team members to present project on diversity and inclusion in the workplace in front of industry professionals.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Merchandising

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
05.2023

Santa Reparata International School of Arts
Florence, Italy
04.2022

Skills

  • Hard Skills: Photoshop, Illustrator, Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Microsoft Office, Outlook
  • Soft Skills: Trend Research, Consumer Analysis, Analytical, Team-Driven, Time Management, Organizational, Communication, Presentation, Retail Math, Line Sheet Development

Certification

Inside LVMH Program

  • Program consisted of four modules including: LVMH & The Luxury Industry, Luxury & Sustainability, Creation & Branding, and Retail & Customer Experience

Parsons School of Design Online Streetwear Essentials Program

  • Program consisted of five modules: Streetwear Origins, Designing Streetwear, Branding and Visual Communication, Retail Distribution, and Business & Entrepreneurship.

Timeline

Assistant Merchandise Manager - Women's Knit Tops

Land's End
05.2023 - Current

Product Development Intern

Area Studios
05.2022 - 08.2022

Men’s Global Merchandising Intern

COACH
06.2021 - 08.2021

Summer Intern

Black Retail Action Group
06.2021 - 08.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Merchandising

Virginia Commonwealth University

Santa Reparata International School of Arts

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