Laura Courtney
Hendersonville,TN
Summary
Accomplished and results-driven professional with extensive experience in product buying and product management for both wholesale and retail channels, product development and procurement, new product concepts and strategy, marketing and branding, customer service, supply chain and compliance. Adept at producing long-term value and capitalizing growth opportunities, while reducing costs and improving productivity. Articulate and refined communicator; successful in establishing relationships with peers, staff, management, vendors, and other stakeholders. Proven ability to effectively navigate and identify and react to trends and changes in both growing and challenging business environments. Take-charge professional delivering executive support and team leadership to business operations. Dependable and detail-oriented to manage multiple tasks and priorities. Broad experience includes office management, accounting, accounts receivable, invoicing, dispatching, database management, vendor negotiations and contract management. Recognized for exemplary customer service and team collaboration.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-Owner
Gutter Cure
Nashville, TN
01.2019 - Current
- Startup business in 2019
- Fully licensed, bonded and insured TN Home Improvement company
- Previous Responsibilities: Sales, commercial and residential take off estimating, office management, new hire mentoring and marketing.
Merchandise Manager
Finnleys Good Findings
06.2021 - 08.2023
- Original 4 month contract renewed and extended 22 months
- Sales growth in initial year of +80% in sales YoY
- Improved turn, stock to sales ratio in all 3 locations
- Established cadence for buying and planning, including forward planning based on merchandising & marketing calendar
- Established Open to Buy process; utilized data to guide buyers to maximize high productivity areas, while adjusting inventory levels in slower performing or down-trending categories
- Developed BOH processes to support flow of product to stores; including reorganizing bin system for product allocations, multiple transfers each week to flagship locations, kitting shipment for key displays/merchandising themes
- Established KPIs, data, reports for improved visibility and decision making across buyers, store teams and BOH
- Implemented Web processes, structure and merchandising strategies; introduced customer loyalty program; web growth in 2 year tenure +120%.
VP of Merchandising/E-Commerce
Schurman Retail Group (Papyrus, American Greetings/Carlton Cards)
01.2012 - 03.2020
- Long-term international and domestic buying, development and sourcing; experienced with compliance and freight requirements
- Achieved $50M+ in volume through development and advancement of proprietary and private label programs
- Implementation of print on demand program with 24-hour turnaround times to meet market needs; achieving $1M in revenue in first year
- Led Project Team to introduce new store prototype for three proprietary brands; 2 in the US, 2 in Canada; one concept was award winning for best new store concept in Toronto
- Negotiated terms packages with freight, discount and marketing funding with key suppliers; including consignment programs, free inventory, vendor funded trips based on meeting sales targets
- Attained 40% growth in paper categories, contributing 65% of company’s total sales volume
- Enhanced productivity in key categories four consecutive years with improvement in sales, GMROI, turn
- Produced 10% to 15% margin improvement in categories through strategic terms negotiations
- Implemented on demand printing department with orders printed and shipped within 24 hours; initial year was $1M business unit; grew to $3M within 2 years
- Streamlined operating procedures in Custom Goods department resulting in 30%+ reduction in error rates and improved delivery times
- Ensured continuing loyalty and repeat business by launching omni-channel customer retention program with measurable results in both average order value and transactions
- Collected feedback from wholesale accounts on product opportunities; generated creative and financial briefs, steering all facets of products for market introduction
- Introduced and developed training tools and product knowledge program to communicate vision, strategy and expected results across all product categories and program launches.
Director/DMM
Schurman Retail Group (Papyrus, American Greetings/Carlton Cards)
01.2007 - 01.2012
Buyer/Product Manager
Schurman Retail Group (Papyrus, American Greetings/Carlton Cards)
01.2002 - 01.2007
Assistant Buyer
Schurman Retail Group (Papyrus, American Greetings/Carlton Cards)
01.1998 - 01.2002
Education
High School Diploma -
Saint Joseph Notre Dame
Skills
- Business Growth
- Sales Strategies
- Operations Management
- Performance Analysis
- Customer Relations
- Strategic Planning
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Budget Development
- Customer Retention
Highly Skilled Areas
- International & Domestic Buying, Compliance & Development
- Wholesale & Retail Product Management
- Sales & Revenue Maximization
- Multi-Brand Management
- Excellent Communication Written & Oral
- Data Driven; Analytical & Creative Solutions Oriented
- Budget & Expense Control
- Strategic Thinking
- People Development
Accomplishments
- Award winning store prototype in highly competitive Toronto market
- Louis Award (Social Expressions highest honor) winning concept
Timeline
Merchandise Manager
Finnleys Good Findings
06.2021 - 08.2023
Co-Owner
Gutter Cure
01.2019 - Current
VP of Merchandising/E-Commerce
Schurman Retail Group (Papyrus, American Greetings/Carlton Cards)
01.2012 - 03.2020
Director/DMM
Schurman Retail Group (Papyrus, American Greetings/Carlton Cards)
01.2007 - 01.2012
Buyer/Product Manager
Schurman Retail Group (Papyrus, American Greetings/Carlton Cards)
01.2002 - 01.2007
Assistant Buyer
Schurman Retail Group (Papyrus, American Greetings/Carlton Cards)
01.1998 - 01.2002
High School Diploma -
Saint Joseph Notre Dame