KIRSTEN HICKS
Nashville,TN
Summary
Accomplished Manager with a strategic vision and experienced in merchandise purchasing and planning. Goal oriented with proven results of exceeding financial objectives by capitalizing on sales and growth opportunities. High integrity, excellent communication skills, and relationship-building with proven success in negotiating costs for improved margin performance.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Catalog Manager, Global Procurement Operations / Sourcing
Paramount
Nashville, TN
01.2018 - 08.2024
- Led project management efforts for implementing and launching internal PunchOut catalogs in an Ariba/SAP environment.
- Vendor management: Office Depot, Dell, Taylor, Staples, CDW, Grainger
- Technical troubleshooting through supplier stakeholders, Ariba catalog support and internal partners
- Subject matter expert for catalog processing and ordering
- Trains and supports on catalog usage
- Reporting on catalog usage of contract suppliers
- Collaborate with key stakeholders in Purchasing, Sourcing and Procure To Pay.
Senior Buyer, Personal Expressions and Gifts / Kids
LifeWay Christian Resources
Nashville, TN
01.2005 - 01.2018
- Impacted categories successfully after only first year
- Sales increased 15%, margin increased 1.72%, and turn increased from 2.78 to 3.03
- Drove department sales increase from $13M to $19.5M by developing custom projects, product development and implementing key price point strategies for a 176-store retail chain
- Acquired another $7M in additional categories
- Led department team of a Merchandiser and Financial Planner by directing and coordinating orders and inventory initiatives
- Reviewed, selected, developed and managed products for category assortment
- Maintained customer-driven inventory through key merchandise purchasing and vendor cost negotiation to reduce costs without compromising product quality
- Attended gift trade shows, identified trends, and worked with current and potential suppliers to grow the business
- Negotiated costs, packaging, and delivery to meet goals
- Managed categories included: Cards & Promotions, Journals, Calendars, Stationery, Gift Wrap, Impulse, Reading Accessories, and Food
- In the Kids category: Books, Video, Games/Toys, Seasonal, Teaching Resources, Youth, and Audio.
Book Buyer
Ingram Content Group
LaVergne, TN
01.1999 - 01.2005
- Book publishers included library, children’s and specialty publishers
- Church Resources included Vacation Bible School and Software
- Managed 150 vendors.
Gift Buyer
Ingram Content Group
LaVergne, TN
01.1999 - 01.2005
- Managed categories: Apparel, Jewelry, Stationery, Toys/Games, Wall Décor, Gift Books, and Church Resources
- Managed 100 vendors.
Retail Manager
Cracker Barrel
Lebanon, TN
01.1994 - 01.1999
- Managed $800,000 annual volume retail store with ordering weekly merchandise, visual merchandising, hired and developed staff.
Merchandise Coordinator
Cracker Barrel
Lebanon, TN
01.1994 - 01.1999
- Handled specialty areas: Apparel, souvenirs, food/candy, books, prints and supplies - while negotiating costs with vendors, assisted over 300 retail stores, and assisted Gift Buyer.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Textiles, Merchandising, and Design
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TNSkills
- Project Management
- Margin Queen
- Product Performance Analysis
- Category Management
- Negotiation
- Collaborator
- Product Development
- Vendor Relations
- Inventory Management
- Employee Development
- Merchandising Strategy
- Customer Centric
- Passionate
- Life Cycle Planning
- Trend and Market Research
Accomplishments
- Best-in-class companywide testing and launch catalogs in Ariba/SAP by collaboration with suppliers, Ariba, consultants, as well as internal contacts in PTP and Tech.
- Sought out by management to lead the Kids Department because of proven profitable success using innovative thinking, marketing techniques, and go-get-it drive.
- Grew the journal business by 8%, while reducing department inventory by 3.2% which is a huge win given traffic challenges in retail environments.
- Gold Award, Sales Growth, – 16% increase over previous year
- Gold Award, Margin Rate Improvement, – 3.36% growth over previous year
Timeline
Catalog Manager, Global Procurement Operations / Sourcing
Paramount
01.2018 - 08.2024
Senior Buyer, Personal Expressions and Gifts / Kids
LifeWay Christian Resources
01.2005 - 01.2018
Book Buyer
Ingram Content Group
01.1999 - 01.2005
Gift Buyer
Ingram Content Group
01.1999 - 01.2005
Retail Manager
Cracker Barrel
01.1994 - 01.1999
Merchandise Coordinator
Cracker Barrel
01.1994 - 01.1999
Bachelor of Science - Textiles, Merchandising, and Design
Middle Tennessee State University
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