Joanne Strauss
Senior Merchandise Specialist
Holland,OH
Summary
Dynamic Merchandising Specialist with proven success at Walmart, enhancing store displays and driving sales through strategic merchandising and effective promotional planning. Skilled in inventory control and customer relationship management, I consistently improved customer satisfaction and reduced shrinkage rates, showcasing my attention to detail and strong problem-solving abilities.
Overview
45
45
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandising Specialist
Walmart
06.1999 - 05.2021
- Optimized store displays and appearance via strategic merchandising.
- Executed in-season pricing strategies, promotions, and markdowns to reach financial targets.
- Organized meetings for up to Number staff members to discuss upcoming promotions, key strategies, and tasks.
- Supplied daily support to buyer and assistant buyer.
- Designed displays to deliver interactive, engaging, and memorable store experiences for shoppers.
- Reduced shrinkage rates by conducting thorough inventory checks and addressing discrepancies promptly.
- Achieved consistent store appearance through meticulous attention to detail while arranging product displays and maintaining visual standards.
- Increased sales by implementing strategic merchandising plans and product displays.
- Prepared interesting and innovative visual displays to grab customer interest and promote sales.
- Assisted management in creating seasonal floor plans that catered to current trends while maintaining brand identity.
- Assembled quarter and full-size point of purchase promotional displays.
- Streamlined in-store processes by implementing efficient merchandise receiving, processing, and replenishment systems.
- Communicated merchandising needs to store manager.
- Maintained product inventory and reordered items.
- Established vendor performance metrics to evaluate service.
- Collaborated with vendors for promotional support, securing better pricing and deals for the store.
- Led a team of associates responsible for executing merchandising projects within tight deadlines while maintaining high quality standards throughout the process.
- Conducted regular store audits to ensure adherence to company policies and maintain high standards of presentation.
- Maintained clean store by returning items to proper places.
- Advanced sales cycle plans by maximizing placement of promotions, point of sale materials and product visibility.
- Increased efficiency in stocking shelves by developing an organized system for merchandise handling during peak business hours.
- Planned commercial displays to attract customers.
- Arranged merchandise in alignment with store planogram.
- Analyzed sales data to determine optimal product placement and inventory levels, maximizing profitability.
- Improved customer satisfaction by ensuring products were always available, well-presented, and accurately priced.
- Implemented planogram updates, ensuring products were displayed according to company guidelines for maximum exposure.
- Improved sales process and tracking with implementation of new point of sale (POS) system.
- Directed construction of product displays, following corporate planograms, promotions, and seasonal trends.
- Managed and maintained purchase orders and invoices.
- Placed orders for merchandise consistent with quality, quantity and other specification requirements.
Merchandiser
Andersons Inc.
05.1996 - 04.1999
- Removed damaged, out-of-code, not-in-set and discontinued items from displays.
- Verified products appeared at correct locations in proper quantities.
- Updated pricing and signage to complete product displays and educate customers.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing product knowledge and recommending suitable items based on individual needs.
- Inspected merchandise for quality and arranged proper display location on floor.
- Monitored inventory levels and kept adequate stock in product displays on sales floor.
- Answered customer questions regarding store merchandise, department information, and pricing.
- Assisted customers in locating desired items or suggesting suitable alternatives when necessary, contributing to an elevated shopping experience.
- Boosted sales by implementing effective merchandising strategies and visually appealing displays.
- Reduced out-of-stock instances by conducting regular audits, adjusting inventory counts, and communicating discrepancies to management.
- Contributed to a safe and welcoming shopping environment by adhering to store policies, addressing potential hazards, and maintaining clean, orderly merchandise displays.
- Trained new team members in merchandising best practices, ensuring a cohesive approach across the store.
- Managed inventory levels with regular monitoring, ordering, and stock replenishment for optimal product availability.
- Improved overall store appearance by performing routine maintenance tasks such as cleaning shelves, updating signage, and reporting damaged fixtures for repair or replacement.
- Collaborated with store management to develop promotional plans and execute timely merchandise resets.
- Streamlined merchandise presentation through consistent application of planograms and adherence to company guidelines.
- Completed efficient store resets to prepare store for special promotions and seasonal updates.
- Facilitated training sessions for new merchandisers, improving team skills and performance.
- Engaged with customers to gather feedback on product selection and store layout, incorporating insights into merchandising decisions.
- Improved product visibility by strategically organizing merchandise on showroom floors.
- Customized store layouts to maximize foot traffic and product exposure, enhancing sales potential.
- Developed and implemented seasonal merchandise plans, aligning inventory with consumer trends.
- Boosted sales through effective collaboration with marketing team on promotional displays.
- Optimized visual merchandising to create compelling product presentations that attracted and retained customers.
- Coordinated seasonal clearance sales, effectively managing inventory levels and maximizing revenue opportunities.
- Achieved significant reduction in overstock through precise demand forecasting.
- Enhanced customer shopping experience with meticulous attention to product placement and accessibility.
- Streamlined restocking process, reducing time from shipment arrival to floor display.
- Increased customer engagement by providing knowledgeable product recommendations.
- Coordinated with store management to identify and capitalize on cross-merchandising opportunities.
- Monitored competitor activity, adapting strategies to maintain competitive advantage.
- Ensured optimal stock levels to meet customer demand, conducting regular inventory assessments.
- Organized store merchandise racks by size, style, and color.
- Created visual displays to highlight new and featured products.
- Promoted seasonal products and trends to move stock and prepare for incoming inventory.
- Monitored and replenished display inventory and restructured according to available stock.
- Collaborated with store managers to determine best placement for merchandise displays.
- Developed merchandising strategy to efficiently move overstock.
- Proposed new ideas and concepts to enhance merchandise displays.
- Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.
- Arranged consistent shelves, bins, and racks at Number locations by following established planograms.
Department Manager
KMart
04.1976 - 1996
- Improved customer satisfaction rates through attentive service, prompt issue resolution, and continuous process improvements.
- Provided ongoing staff development opportunities through training programs, workshops, and regular feedback sessions.
- Oversaw inventory management processes, maintaining optimal stock levels while minimizing waste and losses due to shrinkage or obsolescence.
- Led a team of professionals to consistently achieve or exceed performance targets.
- Advised upper management on key decisions based on thorough analysis of sales trends, market conditions, and competitor activities.
- Implemented quality control measures that resulted in improved products or services within the department offerings.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure seamless coordination in achieving company-wide objectives.
- Implemented cross-training initiatives for employees, increasing overall departmental knowledge and versatility.
- Enhanced department efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing time-saving strategies.
- Evaluated employee performance fairly and accurately, rewarding hard work while addressing areas needing improvement.
- Managed projects efficiently from inception to completion ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
- Increased productivity by identifying bottlenecks and implementing targeted solutions.
- Established clear performance expectations for staff members which led to increased accountability.
- Maintained a professional work environment by addressing conflicts proactively and fostering open communication among staff members.
- Coordinated training programs for new employees, significantly reducing learning curve and enhancing productivity.
- Analyzed sales data to identify opportunities for growth and areas for improvement, informing strategic direction.
- Championed customer-first approach, significantly enhancing customer experience and loyalty.
- Increased customer satisfaction with proactive issue resolution strategies.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, resulting in more efficient replenishment system and reduced stock shortages.
- Oversaw departmental budgets to ensure financial efficiency, leading to significant reduction in unnecessary expenditures.
- Developed and executed innovative promotions, driving increased foot traffic and sales.
- Initiated sustainability program, reducing waste and promoting environmentally friendly practices within department.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
Education
Business Education
Skills
Microsoft office
Store layout
Merchandising displays
Merchandise planning
Sales reporting
Pricing and shelf labeling
Inventory tracking
Promotional planning
Merchandising operations
Product merchandising
Space optimization
Competitive pricing
Stock control
Planogram interpretation
Analyzing sales reports
Managing overflow merchandise
Category management
Reading planograms
Friendly and outgoing
Visual merchandising
Stock replenishment
Maintaining stock levels
Active listener
POS systems
Stock rotation
Space planning
Reliable and punctual
Product inventory counts
Customer relationship management (CRM)
Pricing and signage updates
Sales techniques
Vendor relations
Store maintenance
Retail sales professional
Planogram design
Pricing controls
Markdown procedures
POS
Retail
Fixture placement
Display signage
Brand presentations
In-store support
Floor set design
Plan-o-gram implementation
Visual display installations
Merchandising trends
Product recovery
Visual displays
Retail buying
Teamwork
Teamwork and collaboration
Customer service
Ordering and purchasing
Problem-solving
Time management
Problem-solving abilities
Sales development
Multitasking
Multitasking Abilities
Brand awareness
Excellent communication
Purchase order management
Decision-making
Self motivation
Product knowledge
Time management abilities
Adaptability and flexibility
Critical thinking
Effective communication
Team collaboration
Active listening
Organizational skills
Customer needs identification
Supplier communication
Attention to detail
Team building
Problem-solving aptitude
Product procurement
Adaptability
Inventory control
Timeline
Merchandising Specialist - Walmart
06.1999 - 05.2021
Merchandiser - Andersons Inc.
05.1996 - 04.1999
Department Manager - KMart
04.1976 - 1996
University of Toledo - , Business Education