Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Awards
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Kiyen Kim

La Cañada Flintridge,CA

Summary

Seasoned licensing professional with over 10 years of experience in managing and leading collaboration initiatives within the retail industry. Proven track record in driving business growth through strategic partnerships, contract negotiations, and innovative licensing deals. Adept at working with major studios and fashion brands, fostering relationships, and developing comprehensive business strategies that result in significant year-over-year growth.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director, Licensing & Collaborations

Forever 21
01.2019 - Current
  • Spearhead 20+ collaboration efforts annually, leading and executing all go-to-market strategies.
  • Driving licensed collaborations to expand total company contribution from 2% to 10% annually.
  • Negotiate all comprehensive agreements with major studios and fashion brands, ensuring favorable terms and long-term business success
  • Drive a +60% year-over-year growth in the collaboration business, significantly enhancing the brand's market position
  • Collaborate with global licensors including Universal, Disney, Netflix, Warner, Paramount, Mattel, Juicy Couture, Sanrio, delivering high-impact product lines
  • Develop and implement a strategic plan to maximize business growth, leveraging market trends and consumer insights
  • Manage the licensing portfolio, establishing relationships with new partners and expanding the brand's reach into new markets
  • Play a key role in acquiring new licenses, contributing to the diversification and expansion of the brand's offerings

Merchandising Manager, Branded Partnership and Ecom (Softlines)

Forever 21
01.2018 - 01.2019
  • Directed branded partnerships, collaborating with external brands to develop and launch exclusive product lines
  • Managed merchandising strategies, focusing on optimizing product assortments for both hard and soft lines, driving increased sales and customer engagement
  • Led product development for e-commerce exclusives achieving 51% growth in first year

Buying Manager (Non-Apparel)

Forever 21
01.2018 - 12.2018
  • Led all buying initiatives for all footwear, bag, and select accessory categories generating repeat best sellers
  • Conducted market research and trend analysis to curate product selections that aligned with brand identity and consumer demand
  • Negotiated with vendors to secure favorable terms, optimizing profitability and inventory turnover
  • Managed department Open to Buy

Asst Manager, Production and Product Development (Women’s Contemporary Apparel)

Forever 21
01.2014 - 12.2016
  • Negotiated costing and terms with import and domestic vendors achieving average GM of 62%.
  • Lead department’s product development strategy increasing in house development to 80%+ of the assortment.
  • Built fast track system to ensure lead times are reduced by 60 days.
  • Responsible for the conceptualization, style, development, and distribution of products.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

University of California, Berkeley

Skills

  • Contract Negotiation
  • Collaboration and Licensing
  • Business Development
  • Strategic Planning & Forecasting
  • Global Strategy
  • Trend Awareness
  • Team Building & Leadership
  • Relationship Management
  • Retail Strategy and Merchandising
  • Senior Stakeholder Management
  • Product Development and Production Process and Life Cycle Knowledge
  • Expertise in fashion apparel and accessories category

Accomplishments

  • Universal Studios Collaboration: Spearheaded an exclusive apparel line for a major blockbuster, with results orienting to reach significant revenue and brand visibility.
  • Disney Partnership: Developed multi-year licensing agreements for themed collections, leading to expanded market reach and media attention.
  • Sanrio Collaboration: Led and developed a multi-drop collaboration and multi-year Evergreen program generating $40MM+ sales annually.
  • Netflix Integration: Launched trending apparel ranges tied to popular shows, contributing to increased brand relevance among younger demographics.
  • Herve Leger Partnership: Managed a strategic collaboration with Herve Leger, introducing high-fashion elements to mass-market retail and bringing brand awareness to the Gen Z demographic.
  • Compton Cowboys: Orchestrated an exclusive collection for Compton Cowboys, marrying high fashion and affordability, reinforcing brand prestige and market positioning.

Awards

  • Retail Program of the Year for Warner Bros. Studios, 2024
  • Licensing Excellence Award for Best Digital Product, 2022
  • Licensing Excellence Award for Lifestyle, 2019

Certification

Residential Care for Elderly Certificate

Languages

Korean
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Director, Licensing & Collaborations

Forever 21
01.2019 - Current

Merchandising Manager, Branded Partnership and Ecom (Softlines)

Forever 21
01.2018 - 01.2019

Buying Manager (Non-Apparel)

Forever 21
01.2018 - 12.2018

Asst Manager, Production and Product Development (Women’s Contemporary Apparel)

Forever 21
01.2014 - 12.2016

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

University of California, Berkeley

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Kiyen Kim