Jennifer M. Schwallie
Summary
Leads, develops & manages buying teams in merchandise assortment, sales & inventory planning & executes overall company initiatives to achieve profit margin goals.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Divisional Merchandise Manager Gifts/Intimates
Von Maur
04.2004 - Current
- Increased sales performance by implementing effective merchandising strategies and product assortment plans.
- Managed inventory levels for optimal turnover with regular analysis and forecasting techniques.
- Developed strong vendor relationships through clear communication, negotiation, and collaboration to drive business success.
- Identified market trends and customer needs, adjusting merchandise assortments accordingly to maximize profits.
- Mentored junior team members, fostering a culture of professional development and continuous improvement within the division.
- Analyzed sales data regularly to identify opportunities for expansion or adjustments in strategy, optimizing overall business performance.
- Cultivated an environment of open communication within the team, encouraging feedback and idea sharing for continuous improvement.
- Reviewed and approved purchase orders and invoices for accuracy and completeness.
- Generated reports on purchasing activities to support management decisions.
- Drove increase in gross margin dollars by effectively managing markdowns and negotiating favorable vendor terms.
- Established clear goals for team members which resulted in higher productivity levels within the division.
- Implemented visual merchandising standards throughout stores, ensuring consistent brand presentation and customer experience.
Divisional Merchandise Manager Cosmetics
Von Maur
07.2003 - 04.2004
Buyer - Cosmetics
Von Maur
05.1998 - 07.2003
Buyer Bridge & Better Costume Jewelry
Von Maur
10.1997 - 05.1998
Executive Trainee
Von Maur
01.1996 - 10.1997
Management Trainee
Menards
06.1995 - 01.1996
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration / Spanish
Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL05.1995
Skills
- Category Management
- Merchandise Allocation
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Vendor Negotiation
- Budget Management
- Merchandising Strategies
- Product Assortment
- Data-driven Decision-making
- Profit Maximization
- Inventory Management
- Trade Show Attendance
- Competitive Analysis
- Team Leadership
- Relationship Building
- Trends Analysis
- Analytical Thinking
- Staff Training
- Price Negotiations
- Supplier Relations
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Trend Analysis
- Purchase Orders
- E-commerce Management
- Procurement Expertise
Timeline
Divisional Merchandise Manager Gifts/Intimates
Von Maur
04.2004 - Current
Divisional Merchandise Manager Cosmetics
Von Maur
07.2003 - 04.2004
Buyer - Cosmetics
Von Maur
05.1998 - 07.2003
Buyer Bridge & Better Costume Jewelry
Von Maur
10.1997 - 05.1998
Executive Trainee
Von Maur
01.1996 - 10.1997
Management Trainee
Menards
06.1995 - 01.1996
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration / Spanish
Monmouth College
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