Jennifer Reinke
St. Cloud,FL
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Account Merchandiser
Eagle Promotions
01.2025 - Current
- Responsible for initiating creative apparel and accessories concept designs, trend presentations, and driving the product development to grow Disney account sales.
- Conduct market research to identify emerging trends to implement into new concept development
- Negotiate costing with global suppliers to meet client's targets while offering high quality product.
- Coordinate with factory partners and internal partners to provide accurate, on-time development meeting client's targeted milestone dates.
Merchandise Buyer/Product Developer
Universal Parks & Resorts
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Led and developed a team of two direct reports overseeing workload prioritization and professional growth
- Responsible for department strategies, assortment planning and product development for brand focused apparel category.
- Managed product lifecycle from concept creation to launch, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and delivery targets
- Partnered with cross-functional planning team to optimize sales, turn and gross margin
- Collaborated with global sourcing team to execute RFQs for key global items providing over $1M in annual cost savings in 2023 and 2024
- Partnered closely with licensing teams to validate product assortments and maintain compliance with brand guidelines and expectations
- Engaged in strategic negotiations to reduce costs and minimum order quantities while optimizing the flow of goods.
- Sourced Vendors and Factories to fill assortment gaps and expand product opportunities.
Associate Buyer, Apparel
Universal Parks & Resorts
11.2015 - 01.2022
- Managed product lifecycle from concept creation to launch, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and delivery targets
- Engaged in strategic negotiations to reduce costs and minimum order quantities while optimizing the flow of goods.
- Partnered with cross-functional planning team to optimize sales, turn and gross margin
- Prepared and merchandised presentation rooms to deliver the strongest visual representation of product assortments for leadership and licensor meetings
Merchandise Analyst, Confections & Collectibles Departments
Universal Parks & Resorts
04.2015 - 11.2015
- Managed inventory for parks in Orlando, Hollywood & Leavesden, UK
- Forecasted sales and reordered products as necessary to maintain in stock positions
- Negotiated cost discounts on purchase order delays
- Collaborated with buying team to build new store merchandise assortments
Merchandise Planner, Toddler Apparel Buying Office
Kohl’s Department Stores
05.2014 - 01.2015
- Built seasonal financial plans for Toddler Apparel Office with annual sales totaling $250M
- Forecasted sales, markdowns and inventory within the Open To Buy and communicated opportunities and liabilities to management
- Managed in season inventory to allow chase into trends and corporate initiatives
- Collaborated with office buyer to build strategic direction for the Toddler Office, driving sales and improving profitability
- Collaborated with cross functional partners in Product Development to build plans for private label businesses
- Managed 2 toddler apparel merchandise analysts
Assistant Buyer, Toys Buying Office
Kohl’s Department Stores
10.2011 - 05.2014
- Championed the buying responsibility for the Infant/Preschool toy categories growing the business by 13%
- Managed advertising, pricing and floor plans for Black Friday for the toy office
- Partnered and negotiated with vendors for margin support, incremental advertising support, costing and chase opportunities
Merchandise Analyst, Newborn/Infant Buying Office
Kohl’s Department Stores
01.2010 - 10.2011
- Allocated product for Newborn/Infant Office ensuring that product was going to the correct location at the correct time
- Managed office replenishment business through effective inventory management resulting in over 95% service levels
- Trained new merchandise analysts on systems and processes
Executive Administrative Assistant, Product Development
Kohl’s Department Stores
05.2008 - 01.2010
- Forecasted and managed monthly budget and expenses for Design and Trend departments
- Championed Fashion Shows and Trend Meetings for Various events
- Coordinated calendars for 3 executive leaders
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Purdue University, Krannert School of Management
West Lafayette, IN05.2006
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Inventory management
- Vendor relationships
- Price negotiation
- Market trends
- Sales Forecasting
- Product assortment selection
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel
Timeline
Sales Account Merchandiser
Eagle Promotions
01.2025 - Current
Merchandise Buyer/Product Developer
Universal Parks & Resorts
01.2022 - 01.2025
Associate Buyer, Apparel
Universal Parks & Resorts
11.2015 - 01.2022
Merchandise Analyst, Confections & Collectibles Departments
Universal Parks & Resorts
04.2015 - 11.2015
Merchandise Planner, Toddler Apparel Buying Office
Kohl’s Department Stores
05.2014 - 01.2015
Assistant Buyer, Toys Buying Office
Kohl’s Department Stores
10.2011 - 05.2014
Merchandise Analyst, Newborn/Infant Buying Office
Kohl’s Department Stores
01.2010 - 10.2011
Executive Administrative Assistant, Product Development
Kohl’s Department Stores
05.2008 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Purdue University, Krannert School of Management