Jennifer Beckel Egan
Woodbury,MN
Summary
Senior Buyer with over 17 years of retail experience. Well-versed in product development, direct imports and domestic buys. Expert at supporting businesses with high-quality, reliable goods delivered on consistent schedule. Ability to navigate complex and ambiguous situations with grace and ease.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Merchandise Buyer
Signals Catalog/Universal Screen Arts
11.2010 - Current
- Analyzed sales trends to identify high potential categories and assortment expansion opportunities.
- Executed 'big bet' direct import buys to maximize product margins across multiple categories.
- Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
- Developed new strategies to reduce purchasing costs and maintain quality standards.
- Analyzed current vendors and products to stay abreast of market trends and evaluate new suppliers.
- Cultivated relationships with wholesalers and distributors to increase inventory availability.
Account Executive
IQ Accessories
02.2009 - 10.2010
- Curated targeted product assortments and presented to perspective new accounts.
- Distributed marketing materials to existing and prospective clients to promote products.
- Qualified leads, built relationships and executed sales strategies to drive new business.
- Studied market trends and seasonal needs in order to present enticing and competitive product offerings.
Merchandise Buyer
Signals Catalog/Universal Screen Arts
02.2006 - 02.2009
- Attended domestic and international trade shows in search of new product and new vendors.
- Partnered with vendors on product development projects in order to keep assortment fresh, exclusive and competitive.
- Negotiated product costs to ensure markup goals were met.
- Determined retails based on market and perceived value.
- Negotiated vendor returns on unproductive inventory and overstocks.
- Provided photo direction to creative team.
- Proofed spreads (galleys) for accurate product depiction and details.
Business Analyst
Target Corporation/ Target.com
01.2004 - 02.2006
- Forecasted sales information at the item and category level.
- Replenished merchandise weekly based on open to buy dollars and sales data.
- Researched sales history in order to strategically plan future business of new items.
- Determined initial order quantities based on analysis of similar items performance.
- Wrote and tracked all purchase orders in order to maintain instock goal of 90%
- Determined unproductive items and partnered with merchant in selecting markdown strategies.
- Developed contingency plans to minimize overstock risk.
Business Coordinator
Target Corporation/ Target Direct
09.2002 - 01.2004
- Maintained detailed item information across numerous systems.
- Partnered with the purchasing team on purchase order placement.
- Prepared product packets for catalog pick up meetings.
- Developed strong vendor relationships and served as primary vendor contact.
- Provided support to soft lines merchandise buyer.
- Executed updated processes and procedures to ensure efficiency.
Education
B.S - Retail Merchandising
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
College of Human Ecology
2001
Skills
- Keen sense of product trends and consumer behavior
- Competitive retails based on market research and perceived value
- Extensive knowledge in all facets of direct importing of goods (ie tariffs, transit, testing)
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Timeline
Senior Merchandise Buyer
Signals Catalog/Universal Screen Arts
11.2010 - Current
Account Executive
IQ Accessories
02.2009 - 10.2010
Merchandise Buyer
Signals Catalog/Universal Screen Arts
02.2006 - 02.2009
Business Analyst
Target Corporation/ Target.com
01.2004 - 02.2006
Business Coordinator
Target Corporation/ Target Direct
09.2002 - 01.2004
B.S - Retail Merchandising
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
College of Human Ecology
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