Kathryn Lofsness
Minneapolis,United States
Summary
Experienced, detail-oriented & goal focused Senior Manager proficient in managing reporting, budgeting, achieving sales targets, directing teams, and executing key improvements to enable business enhancements & growth. Adept at collaborating and working with executive leadership, and cross-functional teams. Optimizes processes and effective communication in order to retain and grow employee engagement & performance. Bringing superior skills in planning, negotiation and complex problem-solving gained over 10+ years merchandise management experience.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Manager Merchandise Planning
iMedia Brands / ShopHQ
Eden Prairie, MN
04.2016 - Current
- Oversee an array of essential functions including collaborating on high level decisions, managing a 4000+ unit inventory, strategic planning initiatives, implementing workflow improvement strategies
- Analyze sales and inventory trends to help cultivate compelling pricing and product assortment for on-air programs and website
- Compile inventory, sales reports and in-depth analyses in order to recommend specific inventory & sales improvements based on historical trends
- Responsible for product cycles, established reorders, created plans and implemented strategies to liquidate slow-moving products
- Built strong relationships with internal teams & executive leadership in order to effectively train & ensure targeted deadlines are met, and effectively resolve issues
- Accountable to achieve sales and margin objectives while maximizing sales and exceeding customer expectations
Merchandise Planning Analyst
iMedia Brands / ShopHQ
Eden Prairie, MN
04.2016 - Current
- Developed seasonal merchandise strategies to support line development and buying needs.
- Forecasted for future merchandise purchases based on historical buys, reoccurring buys and current inventory levels.
- Managed merchandise inventory positions and markdown strategies to drive departmental sales, inventory, profit and turnover objectives.
- Addressed product concerns and discussed potential opportunities through communication with high level management.
- Monitored and tracked company and competitor pricing and provide feedback to leadership
- Responsible for achieving sales targets by monitoring shows on a minute by minute basis
Merchandise Manager
Ulta Beauty Inc.
Richfield, MN
06.2011 - 04.2016
- Designed floor layouts, product displays and shelving layouts to maximize sales and influence customer purchasing habits.
- Tracked sales trends and recommended adjustments to maximize departmental profitability.
- Set direction for supervisory team and front-line staff to drive consistency of guest experience & guest retention.
- Oversaw daily operations of 24+ employees, ensured targeted goals were met, provided strategic leadership and direction, drove business development, implemented quality solutions for issues, and supported cross-functional teams as needed.
- Cultivated high performing teams, training and coaching around demonstrated best practices, proper procedures, team goals, and giving consistent performance appraisals and feedback.
- Managed service and store inventory, reorder processes, and ensured allocated budgets are adhered to.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
St. Cloud State
St. Cloud, MN06.2011
Skills
- Leadership Development
- Inventory Management
- Documentation/Reporting
- Strategic Planning
- Creative Problem Solving
- Data-driven decision-making
- Detail Oriented
- Comfortable with ambiguity & individuals across all levels
- Ability to maintain composure in fast-paced environments & high-pressure situations
- Project Management
- Issue and conflict resolution
- MS Office Suite
- MS Excel proficient
- MS Word
- Powerpoint
Timeline
Sr. Manager Merchandise Planning
iMedia Brands / ShopHQ
04.2016 - Current
Merchandise Planning Analyst
iMedia Brands / ShopHQ
04.2016 - Current
Merchandise Manager
Ulta Beauty Inc.
06.2011 - 04.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
St. Cloud State