KATHLEEN M. WILSON
Wailuku
Summary
Accomplished and strategic Merchandise Buyer with over 16 years of experience in merchandise planning and purchasing, consistently achieving objectives through strong forecasting and analytical skills. Proven track record of driving high-volume sales by restructuring business operations and adapting to the dynamic tourism-driven market. Expertise in purchasing, stock management, and vendor relationship development has led to significant improvements in sales and inventory performance, ensuring profitable turnarounds. Committed to aligning initiatives with organizational goals to foster sustainable growth and success.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Accessories, Apparel, Fine Jewelry, Gift & Souvenir Buyer
Maui Clothing Company
Kihei, HI
12.2012 - Current
- Achieved successful gross margin targets, stock turns and sales projections for the accessory, jewelry and gift/souvenir and apparel categories within the company for thirteen years.
- Consistently analyzed and tracked sales, inventory levels, sell-through, and forecasting trends and reacted with timely purchase orders, reorders and cancellations based on business and economic environments.
- Analyzed and managed open to buy budgets for responsible categories for twenty-six retail locations throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
- Managed, maintained and negotiated vendor agreements and ensured timely deliveries of products based on seasons, trends and fiscal calendar.
- Interact effectively with vendors and internal colleagues to achieve departmental goals.
- Sourced goods locally to maintain new and fresh products for the retail locations.
- Plan promotions, sales events and holiday assortments based on seasonal schedules.
- Developed merchandise assortment plans, shop concepts to complete merchandise presentations at the store level along with providing education on products to the store teams.
- Stock Management through consolidations between stores, routine markdowns and sales analysis.
- Attend tradeshows and showrooms seasonally.
Buyer’s Clerical/Visual Merchandiser
04.2010 - 12.2012
- Coordinated merchandise information and distribution for 200+ vendor accounts.
- Ensured timely delivery of merchandise through consistent communication and follow up with vendors, marking room, warehouse and merchant team.
- Input markdowns, consolidations for all buyers’ categories in the company.
- Resolved incoming shipping discrepancies between vendor and warehouse.
- Implemented visual merchandising skills to all new store openings, swim and apparel stores.
- Assisted with photo shoots, wardrobe styling and advertising for the company.
Executive Assistant
Back on My Feet
Philadelphia, PA
01.2009 - 10.2009
- Maintained an up-to-date donor database and mailing list.
- Tracked online BOMF merchandise orders and seeing that they are shipped in a timely manner/ customer service follow up
- Attended and coordinated all board meetings and made minute notes.
- Assisted with administrative support of all events and projects as necessary - Back on My Feet Bash, 20 in 24 Relay Challenge.
- Ordered marketing materials/office supplies with approval from the office manager.
- Set up meetings/conference calls/travel for President and other senior level staff.
- Greeted visitors/notified employees appointments.
- Handled/answered all incoming phone calls and answering general organization questions.
- Tracked and recorded all invoices and coded into the Non-Profit QuickBooks system as well as run financial reports for meetings.
Visual Field Merchandiser
UNDER ARMOUR, INC.
Baltimore, MD
06.2007 - 01.2008
- Covered and maintained visual merchandising efforts in Under Armour concept shops in sporting goods/ apparel stores throughout the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey territories.
- Assisted with implementing “UA concept shops,” vendor floor re-sets and special projects in accordance with the Retail Marketing Department and the Sales Department.
- Maintained forty-five vendor/store relationships with the Sporting Goods/Apparel stores through weekly and monthly visits.
- Provided product knowledge and enthusiasm through tech clinic presentations to store employees throughout different sporting goods store accounts.
- Daily communication and administrative tasks with Sales Team regarding all aspects of UA business at the merchandising and store level in given territory.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Industry Management
PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY
Philadelphia, PA01.2008
Skills
- Adept attention to detail in purchasing and managing high volume, SKU-intensive inventory in over twenty-six retail store locations throughout the years
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build vendor relationships in person and remote from all over the country
- Highly organized with strong ability to multi-task and be proactive with an initiating attitude
- Results-focused, driven by the experience of hitting metrics/key goals/deadlines
- Highly proactive with the ability to work calmly under pressure to meet objectives
- Strong background of visual merchandising skills
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel and Google doc to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Oversaw purchasing for numerous special events and holidays per year.
- Collaborated with the team in the development of re-branding a jewelry category.
Timeline
Accessories, Apparel, Fine Jewelry, Gift & Souvenir Buyer
Maui Clothing Company
12.2012 - Current
Buyer’s Clerical/Visual Merchandiser
04.2010 - 12.2012
Executive Assistant
Back on My Feet
01.2009 - 10.2009
Visual Field Merchandiser
UNDER ARMOUR, INC.
06.2007 - 01.2008
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Industry Management
PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY