Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic
KEISHA L. HOLMES

KEISHA L. HOLMES

Buyer/Sales/Merchandise Manager
Los Angeles,CA

Summary

Accomplished Buyer with demonstrated track record of success with large & small retailers. Strengths include vendor coordination, implementing successful sales strategies & cost negotiation. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

BUYER

Burlington Stores, Inc.
LOS ANGELES , CA
11.2022 - 04.2024
  • Created and maintained relationships with vendors for product purchasing, development, negotiation, and on time delivery.
  • Followed industry trends to identify new opportunities for product development and expansion of current offerings.
  • Consistently competitive shopped both off price & full price retailers to ensure we were in line with customer needs.
  • Analyzed weekly sales reports to forecast future on order and adjust inventory accordingly.
  • Reviewed vendor performance metrics on a regular basis to ensure brand positioning is in line with sales & plans.
  • Effectively partnered with Planning team to calibrate risk & manage financials.
  • Consistently tested new product & reacted quickly to sales findings.
  • Demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit by generating ideas, insights & previous experience to maximize sales.
  • Weekly market appointments to develop vendor relationships that translate into business driving opportunities.

MERCHANDISE MANAGER

CURVY SENSE/J & F DESIGN
COMMERCE, CA
03.2016 - 10.2022
  • Launched the plus size ecommerce site into a multi million dollar brand.
  • Developed & implemented merchandise/buying strategies to maximize sales.
  • Monitored inventory levels by tracking stock movement, implementing markdowns, and adjusting forecasts accordingly.
  • Managed our in-house design & production process from concept to completion of goods.
  • Negotiated costing to ensure margins maintained profitability.
  • Maintained a working cross department relationship with marketing, customer service, accounting, warehouse receiving & shipping.
  • Partnered with our Bump Biddy Maternity sister brand design team to maximize joint buys/manufacturing.
  • Planned & executed all photoshoots, both in-studio & on-location campaign shoots.
  • Booked models & held castings to keep a flow of inclusive models to represent the brand.
  • Opened Nordstrom Rack ecommerce sales channel, both online & in-store.
  • Opened the brand CoEdition Plus Size Marketplace as an additional sales channel.
  • Managed the daily operations of all assigned social media accounts.

BUYER

FOREVER 21
LOS ANGELES, CA
10.2008 - 07.2015
  • Launched the plus size division of Forever 21 into a successful growth vehicle for the company.
  • Worked closely with our planning & allocation teams to achieve the sales plan, while maintaining proper inventory levels.
  • Partnered with the marketing & visual teams to ensure successful execution of assortment & floor plan.
  • Maintained a strong working relationship with vendors to build a healthy partnership.
  • Managed a team of production coordinators to ensure on-time delivery, cost negotiation, request samples, confirm purchase order details, and any necessary correspondence.
  • Requested samples for PR requests & e-commerce needs.
  • Managed vendor performance to maximize profitability and achieve financial objectives.
  • Shopped the competition regularly to identify value offerings.

ASSISTANT BUYER

TORRID
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA
10.2006 - 10.2008
  • Achieved sales and margin objectives for seasonal buying plans, including promotions & markdown exit strategies.
  • Assisted in the selection and purchase of product from market vendor partners & the internal product development design team.
  • Assisted in market research to stay current on trends (trade magazines, websites, comp shopping).
  • Helped develop product, including sourcing and monitoring delivery of product and quality control.
  • Regularly attended fashion events to remain keen on current trends - fashion, culture, and other innovations regarding the industry.
  • Developed and maintained assortment plans to ensure proper receipt & flow of goods.
  • Correspond with vendors daily to ensure on-time delivery, negotiate cost, request samples, confirm purchase order details, and any necessary correspondence.
  • Facilitated strong working relationships between Merchandising, Product Development, Visual, Public Relations, Fit, Distribution Center & Planning/Allocation & Ecommerce teams.
  • Maintained & displayed all samples for weekly product meetings, style outs, & visual presentations.
  • General clerical responsibilities.

Assistant Buyer

National Stores Inc
Gardena, CA
01.2008 - 08.2008

Sales/Store Manager/Assistant Buyer

Fredericks Of Hollywood
Hollywood, CA
06.1992 - 10.2002

Education

Some College (No Degree) - Fashion Merchandising

MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
Walnut, CA

Skills

Vendor negotiation & interaction

Partnership building

Inventory control

Excellent communication skills

Product development

Outstanding leadership qualities

Excellent time management & organizational skills

Trend analysis

Certification

  • Certified Time Management Skills - Forever 21 2015

Timeline

BUYER

Burlington Stores, Inc.
11.2022 - 04.2024

MERCHANDISE MANAGER

CURVY SENSE/J & F DESIGN
03.2016 - 10.2022

BUYER

FOREVER 21
10.2008 - 07.2015

Assistant Buyer

National Stores Inc
01.2008 - 08.2008

ASSISTANT BUYER

TORRID
10.2006 - 10.2008

Sales/Store Manager/Assistant Buyer

Fredericks Of Hollywood
06.1992 - 10.2002

Some College (No Degree) - Fashion Merchandising

MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE

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KEISHA L. HOLMESBuyer/Sales/Merchandise Manager