Kaitlyn Grady
Norwood,MA
Summary
Effective merchandising professional bringing demonstrated success in leveraging visual display and merchant skills to express brand vision. Over 10+ years of fashion industry experience. Quick-learning and creative, with a desire for growth, teamwork, and development opportunities.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Visual Manager
Free People
04.2022 - Current
- In collaboration with the store team, I support the selling, service, and operations of the store with an emphasis on merchandising and display to create an inspiring and dynamic visual experience for the customer
- Involve the team in selling and visual initiatives that enhance the customer experience; encouraging employees to build lasting relationships through personalized service, product recommendations, and connecting with the customer in an authentic way
- Participate as the manager-on-duty by driving engagement in each zone through communication, adaptability, and fostering a collaborative selling environment; exhibiting strong decision-making and multi-tasking capabilities
- Support the Store Manager in recruiting, hiring, and retaining top talent to build bench for the store; facilitate thoughtful onboarding for all new hires to drive a strong brand, customer and store connection
- Active role in daily operating processes through payroll management and adapting the zone and visual support to the needs of the business
- Manage the visual direction from planning through execution to meet company expectations, budgets, and timeline; utilizing reporting tools to identify business opportunities with product placement, outfitting, and stock levels
- Drive an effective shipment and omni process to prioritize getting product to the customer; a forward-thinking approach to make a strategic plan for execution and recovery of sell through and markdowns
- Adhere to store’s safety standards, inventory accuracy, reduction of product loss, and uphold all company policy and procedures to support the profitability of the store
- Facilitate the sharing of product knowledge, current trends, visual priorities, and brand messaging through daily meetings with the team
- Provide global product and visual feedback to Store Manager and District Manager; submit store environment photos to highlight merchandising and display updates
- Support multiple locations in visual initiatives, store floor plans and layout, team development, and lead area wide meetings.
Store Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
08.2020 - 04.2022
- Delivered an environment that was engaging and inspiring to the customer, while fostering continual team development to create a culture of excellence, creativity, collaboration, innovation, and trust.
- Built a succession plan for engaging and retaining a diverse team to fuel internal growth; actively recruited and interviewed to build an external network of talent to add different perspectives and experience to the team
- Provided timely and specific employee feedback to create a culture of action and accountability; facilitated a thorough and thoughtful onboarding for new hires, equitable development paths for all employees, and focus on employee engagement.
- Oversaw and collaborated with key partners to uphold daily operating procedures; contributed to assessing accuracy and compliance of staff scheduling and payroll management.
- Assessed global business and product sell-through to identify business success and opportunities for the store; effectively guiding an empowered team to make strategic, creative, business-impacting decisions.
- Oversaw and collaborated with key partners to lead timely and effective execution of visual priorities for the store; interpreted corporate visual direction to impact store’s structure, display, merchandising, and outfitting.
- Provided store and departmental insight related to the customer experience and communicated to District Brand Leader and Home Office partners; participated within company and district forums through sharing store specific scenarios and ideas
Visual Merchandising Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
12.2019 - 08.2020
Visual Merchandising Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
07.2017 - 12.2019
Women's Department Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
11.2016 - 07.2017
Women's Accessories Department Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
07.2015 - 11.2016
Men's Department Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
07.2014 - 07.2015
Department Manager
Nordtsrom
Peabody, MA
04.2012 - 03.2013
- Recruited, hired, trained, developed, and motivated my team – created efficient and successful scheduling and payroll management.
- Assisted in achieving department volume and productivity goals by developing and executing a business plan. Communicated product and business needs to District Manager, effectively impacting profitability and success throughout my department.
- Ensured salespeople were delivering outstanding customer service by teaching, coaching and leading by example.
- Ensured merchandising and presentation standards were met.
- Built long lasting relationships and created a loyal customer following by actively selling on the floor.
- Lead the Junior Stylist internship; created an ongoing program to mentor and teach students the business of the fashion industry, trend analysis, visual display and merchandising, styling, and building brand identity. Hosted events to showcase their talent, through fashion shows, drive sales for my department, and grow a loyal client base within the store and community.
Assistant Department Manager
Nordtsrom
12.2011 - 04.2012
Department Stylist
Nordstrom
09.2010 - 12.2011
- Performed all aspects of the selling process including setting up customer fitting rooms with selected merchandise.
- Supported team goals and built positive relationships.
- Performed daily department maintenance tasks, including stock work, re-merchandising, display, price markdowns, merchandise transfers and light cleaning.
Education
No Degree - Fashion Merchandising
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CASkills
- Customer Service Excellence
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Fashion Trend Awareness
- Window Display Creation
- Store Layout Design
- Inventory Management
- Brand Image Alignmentq
- Budget Planning and Control
- Staff Training and Development
- Vendor Relationship Management
- Window Displays
- In-Store Event Promotion
- New Store Setups
Timeline
Assistant Visual Manager
Free People
04.2022 - Current
Store Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
08.2020 - 04.2022
Visual Merchandising Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
12.2019 - 08.2020
Visual Merchandising Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
07.2017 - 12.2019
Women's Department Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
11.2016 - 07.2017
Women's Accessories Department Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
07.2015 - 11.2016
Men's Department Manager
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
07.2014 - 07.2015
Department Manager
Nordtsrom
04.2012 - 03.2013
Assistant Department Manager
Nordtsrom
12.2011 - 04.2012
Department Stylist
Nordstrom
09.2010 - 12.2011
No Degree - Fashion Merchandising
Academy of Art University
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