Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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LESLIE PALMER

Livingston,NJ

Summary

Dedicated and motivated Senior Merchant with extensive experience within today’s highly competitive markets in the fashion industry. Collaborative communicator continually focused on building relationships and promoting synergy with a vision to maximize business and enhance profitability. Dedicated VP of Sale recognized for building strong working relationships with clients, buyers and suppliers. Skillful in identifying trends, structuring dynamic sales teams and developing and implementing strategies to elevate brand. Informative and thorough professional with passion for problem-solving with creative approach.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President of Sales

AHQ Accessory Headquarters
New York, NY
10.2018 - 05.2022
  • Developed short and long-term sales strategies to gain market share, uncover new sales opportunities within the white space.
  • Contributed to team and customer success by creating and delivering engaging client-facing presentations to communicate our line.
  • Maintained relationships with customers and found new ones by identifying needs and offering appropriate product.

DIVISION HEAD

NEW YORK ACCESSORY GROUP
New York, NY
01.2015 - 09.2018
  • HANDBAGS
  • Created new division for both private label and branded handbags
  • Director of Sales and Design teams
  • Introduced new license to Wal-Mart built the business to over $15 m in 18 months
  • Managed and developed new license JOE FRESH for handbags, active bags, kids back packs and handbags

DIVISION PRESIDENT

CUDLIE, LLC, POOCHIE & CO, CONFETTI
New York, AND
01.2008 - 01.2015
  • Manage multi-million dollar division; increasing sales by over 300% in 6-years with key accounts including Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom’s Rack, Dillard’s, Shopko and others
  • Coordinate inventory, sales margins, placing orders and costing with overseas factories
  • Create and maintain innovative in-house vendor inventory program, resulting in increased target volume and profit goals
  • Plan retail/sales annually across accounts for product placement, quantities, margin and advertising
  • Manage development of new Ecommerce site; oversee social media agency to develop and maintain platforms across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
  • Restructured division and its products; recruited a design/merchandising team which improved fashion image and generated substantial sales
  • Transformed unbranded products into known “brand” of trademarked merchandise, Poochie & Co
  • Manage team of 15 direct reports; 7-Account Executives; 4-Design/Production; 4-Overseas

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

ACCESSORY NETWORK GROUP, LLC
New York, NY
01.2006 - 01.2008
  • AND MERCHANDISING, HANDBAGS/ACCESSORIES
  • Created retail strategy and sales planning annually across accounts with sales goals for team
  • Analyzed business with AE’s: Target, Fred Meyer, TJX, Ross, Nordstrom, Sears and Kmart
  • Developed private label handbags for Target: Mossimo Black, Merona and Xhiliration
  • Negotiated product placement, quantities, margin and advertising across accounts
  • Merchandised product assortment to support specific account DNA for handbags and accessories, as well as cold weather for Target only; resulting in $1MM increase per year for Target business
  • Supervised all of business analyst presentations, as well as approved all design decks
  • Directed/motivated sales team of 10-Account Executives

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

FANTASIA ACCESSORIES
New York, NY
01.2005 - 01.2006
  • Managed private label development of hats, scarves and gloves for key account: Walmart
  • Negotiated product placement, quantities, margin and advertising across accounts
  • Merchandised product assortment across accounts

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

L’EGENT HANDBAGS
New York, NY
01.1999 - 01.2005
  • Developed private label handbags and accessories (belts, hats and scarves) for Walmart and Target
  • Increased sales $0 to $30MM in 5-years at Walmart
  • Built the Mudd brand belts at JC Penney from $0 to $10MM in less than 3-years
  • Merchandised belt line for private label customers and the Mudd brand for mid-tier customers

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES/DIVISION

ACCESSORY NETWORK, INC
New York, NY
01.1995 - 01.1999
  • Managed key accounts: Walmart and Target; resulting in Walmart becoming company’s top key account
  • Managed private label/licensed brands including: Pooh, Scooby-Doo, Power Puff Girls, Pokémon, and Looney Tunes
  • Increased sales from $7MM to $40MM within 3-years
  • Directed strategic approach to product development, working with buyers/merchandisers to create “right” merchandise
  • Expanded sales force of 6 while maintaining key account responsibility

Education

A.A.S - Fashion Buying and Merchandising

The Fashion Institute of Technology

Skills

  • Sales & Merchandising Management
  • Effective Communication
  • High-level Merchandising Skills
  • Passionate Leadership
  • Budget & Expense Control
  • Private Label Development

Timeline

Vice President of Sales

AHQ Accessory Headquarters
10.2018 - 05.2022

DIVISION HEAD

NEW YORK ACCESSORY GROUP
01.2015 - 09.2018

DIVISION PRESIDENT

CUDLIE, LLC, POOCHIE & CO, CONFETTI
01.2008 - 01.2015

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

ACCESSORY NETWORK GROUP, LLC
01.2006 - 01.2008

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

FANTASIA ACCESSORIES
01.2005 - 01.2006

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

L’EGENT HANDBAGS
01.1999 - 01.2005

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES/DIVISION

ACCESSORY NETWORK, INC
01.1995 - 01.1999

A.A.S - Fashion Buying and Merchandising

The Fashion Institute of Technology

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