JOHN KENNEDY
Mahwah,USA
Summary
Customer-focused retail I.T. Professional with a proven ability to analyze client requirements and translate them into relevant applications, develop a schedule, delegate tasks, present and implement deliverables. Experienced in Retail and Wholesale both domestically and internationally. Also experienced in managing cross – functional teams as well as motivating professionals to maximize their levels of productivity. Over 20 years experience including design and development of processes. Professional with robust background in directing and managing large-scale operations, consistently driving success through strategic planning and execution. Adept at implementing innovative solutions that enhance productivity and operational effectiveness. Known for fostering teamwork and adapting to evolving business needs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Knowledgeable Sr Director with proven history of leading high-performing teams and executing strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth. Successfully directed cross-functional projects that resulted in significant process improvements and operational efficiencies. Demonstrated leadership and communication skills in fostering collaborative environments and delivering impactful results.
Overview
2015
2015
years of professional experience
Work History
Omni-Channel
- Partnered with Marketing, Ecommerce, Operations, Logistics, Inline & Outlet, Merchandising as well as the Distribution Center to define an operational strategy to allow the consumer to use all channels simultaneously.
- The goal is to have all shopping channels work from the same database of products, prices, promotions, etc. Instead of perceiving a variety of touch-points as part of the same brand, omni-channel would allow the consumers to experience the brand, not a channel within a brand.
- Clienteling
- Determined Business requirements
- Conducted RFP
- Brought the business through vendor selection
- Negotiated contract
Point of Sale
- Implemented Epicor POS, Sales Audit and CRM globally in the US, Canada, Hong Kong and Macau
- Project Management
- Designed Visio documents accurately displaying Business Process topology.
- Responsible for approval of all function and technical design specifications
- Creation of Design, Functional, Testing, UAT and Training documents.
- Managed budget
- Managed staff / project team of 15
- PCI Compliance
- Successfully lead PCI compliance efforts during an onsite assessment by external auditors that allowed our company to receive a compliant report on compliance on its first external PCI assessment
- Lead project to update all business unit continuity plans company wide
Planning Systems
- Developed a comprehensive and sophisticated graphical user interface (GUI) using VB/SQL server as a front end to Arthur Planning called CPS.
- Modules include; Business Planning (Comp Sales), Subclass Planning, Assortment Planning, Sku Planning, Allocation / Replenishment, Reporting.
- Implemented CPS with 8 individual Business Units. Managed all aspects including
- Project Management
- Designed Visio documents accurately displaying Business Process topology.
- Including Workflow, Responsibilities and input/output.
- Responsible for approval of all function and technical design specifications
- Creation of Design, Functional, Testing, UAT and Training documents.
- Development of Arthur Admin Plans
- Managed Consulting budget
- Managed staff, including several consultants.
- Training - Directed Classroom Training sessions to all users.
- Replenishment/Allocation
- Implemented CPS for 3 Business Units with an Allocation Module. Managed all aspects
Director -Planning & Allocation Systems
Michael Kors
New York, NY
07.2012 - 01.2015
- Project management – Define scope, effort, budget, resource plan, & implementation plans for all Planning and Allocation systems
- Work with business partners to gather requirements for system changes/enhancements.
- Analyze business requirements, gather detailed requirements and make recommendations to align with IT’s strategic direction.
- Prepare business process, system flow diagrams, Functional Specs, UAT and training documentation.
- Facilitate testing of applications and integration.
- Provide Training for front end systems
- Sr. Director Planning & Allocation Systems 2015 to Present
Sr Manager - Solutions Delivery
Cole Haan
New York, NY
11.2008 - 07.2012
- Participate on the Cole Haan IT Leadership Team (LT) member focused on both short-term (tactical) and long-term (strategic) planning, execution of strategies, with a focus on designing, developing, implementing & supporting technical solutions that meet customer needs and organizational priorities.
- Performs resource planning for team of Business Systems Analysts (BSAs) and Application Engineers (AEs) to ensure supply of resource expertise is properly matched with committed scope and timing of demand for resources.
- Accountable for operational support (KLO) of Cole Haan’s application platforms, including incident resolution (break/fix), application maintenance activities and delivering on committed small enhancement requests (SERs).
- Accountable for planning, forecasting and managing Solution Delivery segment of IT budgets (OpEx and CapEx budgets).
- Develops internal and/or external partnerships, including vendor management of service provider partners.
- Accountable for building, leading and coaching a team of approximately nine (9) professionals, comprised of a Solution Support Lead, Business Systems Analysts (BSAs) and Application Engineers.
- Drives team development, training opportunities and Organizational Talent Planning (OTP) to ensure future growth and to build bench strength.
- Demonstrates full utilization and execution of the Coaching for Excellence (CFE) program through timely and effective goal setting, mid-year reviews, year-end reviews and individual development planning. Holds direct reports accountable for their CFE responsibilities.
- Makes decisions on hiring utilizing Competency Based Selection process and ensuring diverse applicant pools. Ensures full and effective on-boarding and orientation of new team members.
- Monitors the work environment and immediately addresses employee issues.
- Coach, train and mentor team to grow skills and transfer information, knowledge and expertise. Grow leads to take on more accountability and responsibility
Sr Manager Global Retail Applications
Cole Haan
New York, NY
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Provide first line support to front end business units and day to day support to all related applications for US, Japan Hong Kong and Macau
- Responsible for the planning, estimation, assignment, design, quality execution and ongoing support of the portfolio of business applications and packages running the Global retail organization
- Partner with the Retail Sr Executive team to optimize the value and impact of application development initiatives
- Liaise with vendors and management as necessary
- Provide professional direction and guidance
- Establish and analyze staffing requirements within guidelines
Sr. Manager of Merchandise Planning Systems
Coach
New York, NY
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Provide first line support to front end business units and day to day support to all related applications including Tokyo (24/7 support).
- Travel to Tokyo several times a year to work with Japanese Business partner
- Work with business partners to gather requirements for system changes/enhancements.
- Analyze business requirements, gather detailed requirements and make recommendations to align with IT’s strategic direction.
- Prepare business process, system flow diagrams, Functional Specs, UAT and training documentation.
- Facilitate testing of applications and integration.
- Provide Training for front end systems
- Project management – Define scope, effort, budget, resource plan, & implementation plans.
- Manage 3 full time employees and multiple consultants
- Manage/develop user-defined variables, location attributes, daily updates and system security.
Consultant
JDA
Phoenix, AZ
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Consulted for various retailers (i.e. Warner Brothers, Finlay Jewelers, Saks) gathering detailed requirements to implement / update Arthur Planning
- Updated Variable rules
- Created Automation Scripts
Systems Administrative Supervisor
Meldisco (Currently Footstar)
Mahwah, NJ
01.1987 - 01.1998
- Managed 2 employees
- Rendered necessary systemic administration on several merchandising systems.
- Special Projects Coordinator 1995 – 1996
- Developed Lotus / Excel based reports for Sr Management.
- Men’s Planner 1992 – 1995
- Responsible for Style - Level planning for a $100M Department
- Store Coordinator 1990 – 1992
- Coordinated special shipments to stores working with traffic department.
- Analyzed store inventory levels for 2300 stores
- Distribution Coordinator 1987 – 1990
- Allocated products in the men’s, women’s and children’s categories to 2300 stores.
Education
IT Project Management
Global Knowledge
01-2011
Business Requirements Management
Ouellette & Associates
01-2007
FCC License - Broadcasting
Connecticut School of Broadcasting
01-1985
B.A. - Performance
William Paterson College
Wayne, NJ01-1981
Skills
- Project Management
- System Implementation
- User Training and Documentation
- Technology and Business Process Integration
- Functional System Design
- Excellent Oral and Written Communication
- JDA Arthur Planning
- JDA Enterprise Planning
- Maple Lake –Planning (OTB & Assortment)
- Epicor POS, Sales Audit, CRM
- Jesta Vision Merchandising
Accomplishments
- Developed Merchandise Planning Issue/Enhancement Tracking Log with reporting for Business Unit Bi-Weekly reviews.
- Implemented CPS on time and on budget for 8 individual Business units.
- Implemented CPS Reporting on time and budget for all Business Units.
- Nominated 4 years in a row for Employee of the year.
Summary of Qualifications
- Self-motivated, hard working and willing to devote extra time and energy to exceed objectives.
- Strong understanding of both retail business and systems with over 20 years of experience.
- Lead Recognition team to develop a program to encourage recognition among peers and Management. Recognition score increased in IS area 10% over previous year.
Timeline
Director -Planning & Allocation Systems
Michael Kors
07.2012 - 01.2015
Sr Manager - Solutions Delivery
Cole Haan
11.2008 - 07.2012
Sr Manager Global Retail Applications
Cole Haan
01.2007 - 01.2008
Sr. Manager of Merchandise Planning Systems
Coach
01.2000 - 01.2006
Consultant
JDA
01.1998 - 01.2000
Systems Administrative Supervisor
Meldisco (Currently Footstar)
01.1987 - 01.1998
Point of Sale
Planning Systems
Business Requirements Management
Ouellette & Associates
FCC License - Broadcasting
Connecticut School of Broadcasting
B.A. - Performance
William Paterson College
Omni-Channel
IT Project Management
Global Knowledge