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Kristen Garnand
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Senior merchandising leader with 15+ years of experience driving assortment strategy, product lifecycle management, and cross-channel growth across luxury and specialty retail businesses. Proven track record of translating consumer insights and data into high-performing, customer-centric assortments, including scaling a $120M+ division to nearly 30% of U.S. sales and improving inventory efficiency by over 50%. Experienced in partnering cross-functionally across design, planning, and operations to execute go-to-market strategies, optimize pricing and category performance, and deliver sustained revenue and margin growth.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Department Manager
Nordstrom
Los Angeles, CA
06.2021 - Current
- Grew Business by 25% in six months
- Manage team KPIs to increase sales volume and customer retention.
- Executed targeted merchandising and promotional plans to meet department sales goals.
CEO and Founder
LINDEN PROJECTS
Los Angeles, CA
07.2020 - Current
- Buying and Consumer Goods Consultancy Company- specializing in revenue, pricing strategy and inventory efficiency.
- Confidential company A: Set and focused business plan of start-up, honed and clarified website design.
- Confidential company B: Potential Detailed barriers to entry into marketplace such as minimum inventory need, marketing costs.
Director of Merchandising
SWAROVSKI
New York, NY
02.2018 - 04.2020
- Set strategic direction Outlet store and ecommerce business on global scale with European based team. Spearheaded cross functional teams to create logical framework for future innovation. Global contact to implement new AI promotional system.
- Created a customer centric program for high priced collectibles that increased sell thru from 5% to 85%.
- Developed assortment offering with customer-first focus that facilitated brand image, loyalty and equity.
- Drove product lifecycle cadence strategy to maximize profits for $100M business.
Account Executive
RALPH LAUREN, CHAPS
New York, NY
02.2017 - 02.2018
- Devised creative ways to present trends and strategies to accounts and convey a strong message to customers.
- Collaborated with design, production and sourcing teams to maximize growth & revenue for $45M in accounts.
- Developed strategic direction for assortment through data analysis of account performance, market trends, customer behavior.
Senior Merchandise Manager
PRADA
New York, NY
04.2015 - 05.2016
- Created financial reporting, conducted ongoing analysis; determined action plan on growth opportunities and issues.
- Developed and implemented strategy to continuously improve and reduce inventory level crisis in warehouse by over 50%.
- Grew outlet business to second largest division in US, representing nearly 30% of overall sales for year with volume $120M+.
- Managed direct report and worked cross functionally with warehouse distribution teams, finance, legal, logistics and Europe.
Merchandiser
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA
New York, NY
04.2014 - 04.2015
- Decreased excess inventory from 2 years of supply to 1.
- Grew financial volume by 1% and gross revenue by 3%.
- Conceptualized and implemented system to overhaul allocation from warehouse to stores and accurately capture inventory.
- Resolved white space in outlets by developing private label assortment. Grew sales to $80M in annual volume.
Contractor
GAP & AEROPOSTALE
New York, NY
09.2012 - 04.2014
Assistant Buyer/Associate Buyer
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
New York, NY
09.2004 - 01.2012
- Drove business with volumes ranging from $10M to $85M.
- Exceeded gross margin of Couture Evening plan by 148% and financial sales plans by 155%.
- Negotiated largest Wolford RTV in intimates and exceeded margin target by 21.2% and sales by 17%.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, Leonard N. Stern School of Business
New York, NYBachelor of Science - Retail Management and Consumer Studies
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Skills
- Assortment Planning
- Inventory Management
- Financial Management
- Product Lifecycle Strategy
- Merchandising Strategy
- Planning
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Verbal communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Microsoft Office
Timeline
Department Manager
Nordstrom
06.2021 - Current
CEO and Founder
LINDEN PROJECTS
07.2020 - Current
Director of Merchandising
SWAROVSKI
02.2018 - 04.2020
Account Executive
RALPH LAUREN, CHAPS
02.2017 - 02.2018
Senior Merchandise Manager
PRADA
04.2015 - 05.2016
Merchandiser
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA
04.2014 - 04.2015
Contractor
GAP & AEROPOSTALE
09.2012 - 04.2014
Assistant Buyer/Associate Buyer
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
09.2004 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Retail Management and Consumer Studies
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Master of Business Administration -
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, Leonard N. Stern School of Business