Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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JESSICA FEHLING

Lake in the Hills,IL

Summary

Results-driven Divisional Merchandise Manager and Buyer with 15+ years of experience in retail merchandising, category management, and e-commerce strategy. Proven track record of driving sales growth, improving profitability, and developing high-performing teams. Deep expertise in private label development, vendor negotiations, and building compelling product assortments for both in-store and online channels.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Divisional Merchandise Manager, Softlines

Transformco
Hoffman Estates, USA
01.2017 - Current
  • Managed open-to-buy and P&L for $150M for Footwear, Accessories, Men’s Apparel and Tourist Shop businesses, that drove consistent YOY margin, turn and sales goals.
  • Strengthened vendor relationships, securing favorable terms, improved cost structures, product offerings, and quicker more frequent flow of goods to stores.
  • Spearheaded localization strategies for tourist and workwear shops, optimizing inventory traffic, demographics, and tailored assortments that generated +25% ($1M) sales improvement YOY.
  • Led cross-functional collaboration across merchandising, operations, inventory and marketing to relaunch two stores, delivering +28% YOY sales increase.
  • Partnered with inventory planning to implement an automated monthly tracker, streamlining visibility and reducing aged inventory by 43%.

Buyer, Footwear

Sears Holding
Hoffman Estates, USA
01.2012 - 01.2017
  • Developed and sourced footwear assortments that aligned with brand strategy and customer demand, $50M business resulting in AVG 10% sales growth YOY.
  • Launched “Piper,” a modern children's fashion footwear brand, leading product development and branding strategy, generating $10M yearly sales.
  • Grew Toddler category revenue by 75%, by streamlining pricing strategy and improving AUR efficiency, optimize size assortment based on historical and regional demand, and targeting open market share in girls fashion and boy basic styles.
  • Achieved 15% YoY topline growth in Kmart Kids’ Casual by simplifying SKU count and executing a digital-first marketing plan.

Associate Buyer, Footwear

Sears Holding
Hoffman Estates, USA
01.2008 - 01.2012
  • Owned end-to-end buying for kids’ character and athletic footwear, delivering $10M in annual revenue.
  • Supported buyer in assortment planning by analyzing sales trends, inventory levels and market opportunities.
  • Prepared and represented reporting decks for weekly sales meetings, monthly hindsight recaps and quarterly line reviews.

Assistant Buyer, Soft Home

Sears Holding
Hoffman Estates, USA
01.2007 - 01.2008
  • Communicated with vendors daily to confirm order status, resolve issues, and maintain strong partnerships.
  • Coordinated RTV’s, vendor allowances, price changes, and style updates in internal systems.

Assistant Buyer, Jewelry and Accessories

Claire’s Accessories
Hoffman Estates, USA
01.2005 - 01.2007
  • Tracked and reviewed samples to ensure product accuracy, quality and brand standards.
  • Entered and maintained purchase orders for multiple vendors, ensuring accuracy in style, cost and delivery details.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising

Columbia College Chicago

Skills

  • Category & Assortment Strategy
  • P&L Management & Financial Analysis
  • Private Label & Product Development
  • Negotiation & Vendor Management
  • E-commerce & Omnichannel Merchandising
  • Team Leadership & Talent Development
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Trend Forecasting & Competitive Analysis

Timeline

Divisional Merchandise Manager, Softlines

Transformco
01.2017 - Current

Buyer, Footwear

Sears Holding
01.2012 - 01.2017

Associate Buyer, Footwear

Sears Holding
01.2008 - 01.2012

Assistant Buyer, Soft Home

Sears Holding
01.2007 - 01.2008

Assistant Buyer, Jewelry and Accessories

Claire’s Accessories
01.2005 - 01.2007

Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising

Columbia College Chicago

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