LEIGH ELLEN BROWNING
Jackson's Gap,USA
Summary
Professional merchandise planning expert with proven track record in optimizing inventory and sales performance. Known for fostering collaborative teamwork and consistently achieving measurable results. Skilled in trend analysis and strategic forecasting, ensuring adaptability in dynamic retail environments.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandise Planner
CHICO’S FAS
01.2022 - Current
- Responsible for the development of annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly plans utilizing current sales and trend information. Primarily responsible for translating the Merchant’s vision into viable plans and profitable results across Omni channels.
- Partners with the Merchants on the development of pre-season sales, markdown, margin, receipt and inventory
- Develops projections and inventory flow for key items/collections.
- Forecasts monthly and seasonal plans, to ensure all orders fall within approved financial targets.
- Analyzes and reacts to performance of strategy based on actual sales and current trend performance.
- Partners with Merchant to develop and propose tactics in response to current business trends, such as:
- Manages and executes promotional and liquidation strategy
- Partners with cross-functional team to utilize seasonal selling curves by region, climate, and store attributes.
- Collaborate with Replenishment Analysts to ensure future forecasts are updated on Basic products, so Demand system orders appropriately
Sales Analyst
EBSCO Industries/PRADCO Outdoor Brands
02.2021 - 06.2022
- Supported the Sales Analytics Manager through data compilation, report building and maintenance, and formulated insights/recommendations through data analysis and research.
- Owned and drove point-of-sale data integrity/quality. Worked closely with third party vendors and the IT team in managing data flow and customer accounts.
Operations/Office Manager
FIT FIVE MEALS
05.2020 - 01.2021
- Oversee all daily functions of growing team and serve as point of contact for customer and employee issues.
- Planned, directed, assisted, and coordinated all organizational operations with focus on improving performance and efficiency.
- Responsibility for weekly reporting and performance recaps.
- Created forecasts to assist with food truck orders and reduce waste.
- Responsible for time tracking and payroll.
Senior Solutions Analyst
HIBBETT SPORTS
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Drove operational enhancements and efficiency serving as subject matter expert for CRM software and as point of contact for the solution area’s portfolio, resources, and scheduling.
- Defined and documented new and existing functional processes, procedures, and system models.
- Liaised between Marketing and IT to develop solutions to meet business needs.
- Acted as a change agent to help facilitate effective deployments/modifications to current practices
- Collaborated on and review technical specifications developed by internal and external technical groups.
- Established, reviewed, and approved system test plans, and quality assurance test scripts in collaboration with QA and technical teams.
- Assisted Marketing Team in successfully relaunching loyalty program.
Senior Manager Brand Planning and Pricing/Promotions
CHICO’S FAS
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Managed team of a Brand Planner and Pricing Analyst.
Manager of Business Process
White House Black Market
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Represented White House Black Market brand in the design, testing, implementation, and training of JDA Assortment Planning. Served as brand lead on developing and executing strategic, integrated processes and procedures and lead change management initiatives and training of new process tools for the brand.
Senior Merchandise Planner
White House Black Market
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Executed all Merchandise Planning functions for Sweaters department, approximately $100 million in annual sales (20% of total company sales) for both Frontline and Direct to Consumer (web) channels.
- Appointed to Pilot/Design Team for JDA Merchandise Planning which included design, development, and testing of ERP tool rollout to entire Planning organization.
- Exceeded sales and margin plan for nine consecutive seasons.
Merchandise Planner
White House Black Market
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Performed all financial planning functions for Denim and Jackets Departments, approximately $32 million in annual sales
Planner
Chico’s, White House Black Market, and Soma Outlets
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Executed Planning and Allocation functions for the Additions by Chico’s brand in Chico’s Outlets.
- Managed growth of Additions brand to 35% of total Chico’s Outlet sales volume.
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Management, Minor, Economics
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA01.2007
Skills
- JDA Planning and ERP, SAP ERP and BEx Analyzer Reporting Tool
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Edge
- Stock replenishment
- Markdown management
- Sales analysis
- Promotional planning
- Margin optimization
- Seasonal planning
- Open-to-buy management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Demand forecasting
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- SAKS INCORPORATED/Private Brand, Planner, Ruff Hewn Missy Better Sportswear and Breckenridge Coordinates
- RUSSELL CORPORATION / Jerzees Division, Account Executive, Mass Retail Sales Organization; Senior VMI Administrator / Sales Analyst for Wal-Mart; Special Account Representative - Customer Service/Retail
Timeline
Merchandise Planner
CHICO’S FAS
01.2022 - Current
Sales Analyst
EBSCO Industries/PRADCO Outdoor Brands
02.2021 - 06.2022
Operations/Office Manager
FIT FIVE MEALS
05.2020 - 01.2021
Senior Solutions Analyst
HIBBETT SPORTS
01.2015 - 01.2019
Senior Manager Brand Planning and Pricing/Promotions
CHICO’S FAS
01.2014 - 01.2015
Manager of Business Process
White House Black Market
01.2012 - 01.2014
Senior Merchandise Planner
White House Black Market
01.2011 - 01.2012
Merchandise Planner
White House Black Market
01.2007 - 01.2010
Planner
Chico’s, White House Black Market, and Soma Outlets
01.2005 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Management, Minor, Economics
Georgia Institute of Technology
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