Linda Traylinek
Summary
Dynamic omni-channel merchant with over 20 years of experience in procurement and merchandising, overseeing categories generating up to $130 million in sales across 1,200 stores. Demonstrated ability to enhance sales and gross margins through effective vendor management and innovative product development. Proven track record in expanding product lines and optimizing supply chain operations. Aiming to apply expertise to foster growth and innovation within a forward-thinking retail environment.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Buyer (part-time)
Desert Regional Medical Center
Palm Springs
11.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: 385-bed acute care level 1 trauma facility.
- Process and manage payments for invoices tied to supplies, repairs, and maintenance.
- Maintain spreadsheets and ensure accurate updates to the IMMS database.
- Streamline operations by refining purchasing frameworks.
Buyer (remote)
GNC
Pittsburgh
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Company overview: Multinational health and nutrition products via a network of over 2,200 outlets.
- Oversaw procurement and replenishment of vitamin and supplement categories for GNC's wholesale partners, including Walmart, Sam's Club, Walgreen, and CVS, ensuring product availability.
- Led management of top-performing wholesale item by accurately forecasting sales and inventory levels.
- Forecasted delays from vendors to achieve a ship rate of over 94.4%.
- Analyzed 3PL inventory and orchestrated merchandise transfers to meet demand and reduce carrying costs.
- Created detailed risk assessments for departing partners to address potential issues.
- Collaborated with quality assurance teams to ensure products met company and industry standards.
Merchandise Controller
TJ Maxx/HomeGoods
Lordstown
01.2022 - 05.2023
- Company Overview: Off-price apparel and home fashions retailer with over 4,700 stores in 9 countries.
- Coordinated communication among distribution center, TJX HomeGoods buyers, planners, operation, and stores.
- Maintained quality standards for merchandise, managed shipment processes per company guidelines, and trained associates to minimize errors.
- Specialized in troubleshooting and researching issues as they arose.
- Earned the 'Employee of the Month' award in December 2022 for outstanding performance by initiating troubleshooting processes for nine receiving departments.
Buyer (remote)
Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
Hudson
01.2021 - 10.2021
- Company Overview: Jewelry retailer with over 200 stores in the U.S. Under the Signet Jewelry: the world's largest diamond retailer.
- Enhanced gross margin dollars by 143.4% Year-over-Year and 42.8% in the second year through strategic procurement.
- Collaborated with design and marketing teams to create solitaire diamond earrings and pendants aligning with customer preferences.
- Implemented effective stock management strategies, driving business growth.
Senior Buyer
Rue 21
Pittsburg
03.2018 - 02.2020
- Company Overview: A teen fashion retailer with over 1,200 stores at its peak. Ceased operations in May 2024 and sold the remaining assets to YM, Inc.
- Supervised tops purchasing team between March 2018 and February 2020, managing procurement and supplier relations.
- Managed multiple categories, including sweaters, wovens, key item knits, and fashion knit tops for the junior and junior-plus customers.
- Increased sweater sales by 21.2% year-over-year, contributing an extra $4.5 million in gross margin by leveraging vendors and increasing quality and retail prices where justified.
- Collaborated with product development team to establish quality and process standards.
- Teen fashion retailer with over 1,200 stores at its peak
- Ceased operation in May 2024, and sold remaining assets to YM Inc.
Buyer
AmeriMark Direct
Cleveland
01.2017 - 03.2018
- Company Overview: Mail order and .com direct marketing company. Declared bankruptcy in April 2023 and ceased operations.
- Procured sweaters, jackets, outerwear, skirts, pants and denim across missy, petite and women's categories for Anthony Richards Catalog operations.
- Collaborated with domestic and international importers on branded and custom-developed apparel projects.
Buyer
JoAnn Fabrics
Hudson
10.2015 - 11.2016
- Company Overview: A fabric and craft retail company with over 850 stores and a website. The company ceased operations in February 2025.
- Introduced a new product category within licensed products that added 25.5% additional revenue to the GM.
- Managed the assortment and purchasing of licensed character and team sports fabric by the yard for brick-and-mortar and .com businesses.
Buyer
Rue 21
Warrendale
11.2012 - 10.2015
- Oversaw $120 million in sales, increasing to $140 million by leveraging new vendors and quality standards. Sourced off-price, branded, and closeout goods for junior-size apparel.
- Created active tops program running for four seasons, boosting sales by 27% and adding 9.4% to gross margin dollars.
- Increased sales in the active bottoms segment by 49% and enhanced gross margin by 2.3% by introducing a new fabrication of leggings.
- Oversaw sweater and active apparel categories for junior customers.
Buyer
Dots
Glenwillow
04.1998 - 11.2012
- Company overview: Budget-friendly fashion retailer with 420 stores at its peak. Ceased operation in 2014.
- Increased sales plans by no less than 2.0% year over year, and beat IMU by at least 2.9% every year by introducing new vendors, implementing quality standards, and partnering with planning and allocation on climate and timing to create alternate assortments.
- Directed vendor partnerships to drive $80 million in sales revenue.
Education
Certificate-Paralegal Studies
National Academy of Paralegal Studies
Skills
- Strategic Vendor Partnerships
- Effective Negotiation Skills
- Streamlined Stock Manager
- Market, off-price, branded, product development and wholesale purchasing
- Product development and approval process
- Strategic assortment and financial planning
- Market Competitor Analysis
- Market (New York and Los Angeles), and Trade Show Participation
- European travel for trendsetting
- E-Commerce Development
- Development of the Product Approval Process
- Mentoring
- Team Building and Management
Timeline
Buyer (part-time)
Desert Regional Medical Center
11.2024 - Current
Buyer (remote)
GNC
05.2023 - 07.2024
Merchandise Controller
TJ Maxx/HomeGoods
01.2022 - 05.2023
Buyer (remote)
Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
01.2021 - 10.2021
Senior Buyer
Rue 21
03.2018 - 02.2020
Buyer
AmeriMark Direct
01.2017 - 03.2018
Buyer
JoAnn Fabrics
10.2015 - 11.2016
Buyer
Rue 21
11.2012 - 10.2015
Buyer
Dots
04.1998 - 11.2012
Certificate-Paralegal Studies
National Academy of Paralegal Studies
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