Lauren Alexander
Houston,TX
Summary
Seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience driving sales growth and business development by building and sustaining strategic customer partnerships. Proven success in collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet financial targets and resolve complex business challenges. Skilled at identifying and implementing winning strategies that foster long-term success. Strong leadership and interpersonal abilities, with a focus on motivating and developing teams for sustained growth. Adept at managing ambiguity and embracing new challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Central/Eastern Regional Sales Manager/USL Manager
Charly USA
09.2019 - Current
- Achieve regional sales objectives by coordinating sales team, developing successful strategies, and servicing accounts to strengthen business relationships.
- Build & strengthen external relationships to service United Soccer League (USL) corporate office and all Charly sponsored teams throughout the League.
- Analyze sales data, market trends, and previous strategies to identify areas of success and improvement. Define clear objectives for the upcoming year in terms of sales targets, market expansion, product launches, etc.
- Drive account growth and profitability by assessing and building on areas of momentum; capitalize on product/pricing opportunities and course correct with innovative sales tactics to improve sales performance with account.
- Evaluate/develop account plans, marketing and sales tools, on-line merchandising, product presentations, assortment, and retail events to meet target revenue and margin goals.
- Provide regular interface with customers to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction.
- Communicate feedback to the marketing department on key marketing opportunities within the marketplace that can enhance the sales efforts for both sell in and sell through of CHARLY brand product lines.
- Work with the National Sales Director to share information on selling trends, gather feedback and develop best business practices (planning, selling, managing product, communication, relationship building)
- Represent CHARLY at commercial events, promotion fairs and other networking events.
- Seek out new business opportunities, grow existing relations and discover new business opportunities,
- Deliver Monthly financial forecasts and deliver sales reports to upper management to inform and enable good decision making.
- Manage entire process for assigned accounts with the internal team to ensure maximum results i.e. order file, marketing executions, finance and customer service
- Partner cross-functionally to help build the organizational processes and policy’s
Merchandise Planner, Men’s Active/Licensed Apparel
Stage Stores
02.2019 - 09.2019
- Delivered Sales, Margin and Inventory targets via pre-season planning and in-season financial management.
- Developed, executed and communicated merchandise financial plans supporting merchandising and financial objectives.
- Implemented effective markdown strategies to clear excess inventory while preserving profit margins.
- Collaborated with marketing team on promotional activities, ensuring optimal positioning of products within the store environment for maximum visibility and sales impact.
- Participated in open-to-buy meetings, presenting data-driven recommendations for assortment planning decisions.
- Supported a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented environment with entire team as well as corporate partners from all cross-functional corporate teams.
- Sourced new vendors to boost the range of products offered in store locations while reducing costs through strategic contract negotiations.
- Increased sales by strategically planning and managing merchandise assortments.
- Forecasted e-commerce fulfillment needs by style and assessed DC inventory levels.
- Supported a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented environment with entire team as well as corporate partners from all cross-functional corporate teams.
- Created hands-on training program for newly hired employees to acclimate each person to company policies and procedures and individual job duties.
- Managed vendor performance through ongoing communication, feedback, and evaluation of results against agreed-upon metrics.
Senior Account Sales Planner
Under Armour
01.2016 - 09.2018
- Contributed in driving sales of $100 million annually by capturing market share at Academy Sports and Outdoors and Run Specialty Accounts.
- Managed customer relationships across Women's, Youth and Outdoor Apparel and all of Footwear at ASO to develop sales objectives to meet strategic business goals.
- Led cross functional efforts to build merchandise plans and drive growth in North America.
- Prepared, executed, and maintained Auto-Replenishment forecasts and Seasonal forecasts each season.
- Partnered with our Merchandising and Sales teams to ensure the sales plan aligned with the brand direction and financial targets.
- Provided ad-hoc sales analysis to inspire change and react to market trends and analyzed sales results, stock levels, and retailer profitability by the program.
- Mentored junior team members, sharing best practices in sales strategy development and relationship building techniques.
Strategic Account Manager; Womens/Youth Apparel
Under Armour
11.2011 - 01.2016
- Managed all phases of the accounts business from “Sell In” to “Sell Through," and grew these businesses to $30 million annually at Academy Sports and Outdoors.*
- Worked cross-functionally across the organization to ensure success and implementation of corporate growth strategies.
- Built collaborative relationships with planning, merchandising, marketing & customer service internally and externally.
- Drove growth with our existing product lines and categories, as well as developed new business initiatives.
- Financial accountability from forecasting units & revenue, to full alignment with customer OTB plans.
Account Sales Planner
Under Armour
10.2009 - 11.2011
- Worked collaboratively (internal/external) with merchandising, sales and ASO buying teams to identify and define product strategies and opportunities in order to implement assortment plans for all product divisions to support brand financial strategy that will drive mutually beneficial and profitable results.
- Conducted quantitative analysis and insights to optimize sales and profitability; monetized new opportunities and identified risks.
- Managed inventory and customer margin plans that supported the department's product strategies.
- Analyzed historical and in-season selling to guide and action future season plans.
Senior Inventory Analyst
Sears Holdings Company
06.2008 - 11.2011
- Analyzed information such as product inventory reports, sales trends and vendor production schedules to ensure we provides optimum inventory productivity.
- Worked directly with the merchandising team to bring product from initial concept to the stores with speed, precision and passion for satisfying the customer.
- Communicated with 34 nationwide distribution centers to ensure adequate/timely product flow to our stores.
- Managed Elite brand names; Hanes, Fruit of the Loom and Joe Boxer that America loves and trusts.
- Maintained proper inventory levels in all stores to support profitability.
- Managed between $100-$150 million in inventories for all Intimate Apparel at Kmart stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam.
General Sales Manager
Me & Ro Jewelry
10.2007 - 06.2008
- Motivated team members to meet and exceed objectives by setting goals, tracking performance on daily basis and implementing improvement strategies.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Implemented effective pricing strategies that balanced profit margins while remaining competitive.
- Achieved monthly sales goals and strategized with corporate on how to reach out to our “Midwest” client.
- Determined marketing strategy changes by reviewing operating and financial statements and departmental sales records.
- Maintained operations by initiating, coordinating, and enforcing program, operational, and personnel policies and procedures.
Inventory Analyst
Sears Holdings Company
01.2007 - 10.2007
- Analyzed sales and stock levels to ensure that reorder recommendations made by the replenishment system reflect the sales trend, presentations standards and turnover goals.
- Created superior order allotments and made adjustments prior to receipt of goods as warranted by sales trend.
- Suggested quality inventory and purchase recommendations to Buyers.
- Maintained proper inventory levels in all stores to support profitable sales.
- Provided promotional merchandise in the correct quantities to stores in support advertised promotions.
- Proactively communicated key strategies and initiatives to store partners.
- Established and maintained a collaborative partnership with Stores.
Director of Operations
French Look International
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Organized the movement of international freight in coordination with our vendors in Europe and coordinated freight forwarding and customs clearance.
- Tracked and expedited shipments with each vendor on a daily basis.
- Collaborated with the sales managers to develop monthly and quarterly sales plans..
- Determined product selection within the open to buy.
- Recognized business trends and revise seasonally plans.
- Optimized sales and gross margins by analyzing, evaluating and adjusting plans.
- Planned, organized and monitored the shipping, receiving, storage and distribution of all items received ensuring smooth and consistent operations.
- Supervised Warehouse and Customer Service Team.
Department Manager
Neiman Marcus Group Ltd
07.2001 - 12.2005
- Drove $10 million in sales through developing the selling skills and behaviors of each selling associate.
- Created a high performing team and consistently coached each individual for optimal sales results.
- Strategized with buying offices to develop balanced product offering that addressed trend, traditional and luxury customers.
- Conceptualized, planned and implemented seasonal trunk shows, caravans and other promotional events.
- Reviewed weekly sell-thru's to identify best selling merchandise and to exit non-profitable lines.
- Monitored stock plans and communicate with financial planners to guarantee inventory levels.
- Executed in-store events to generate greater customer flow and departmental sales.
- Key problem solver and negotiator between store management, customers and sales associates.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI04-2002
Skills
- Business development and planning
- Negotiation expertise
- Sales initiatives and techniques
- Training and mentoring
- Goals and performance
- Relationship selling
- Business growth management
- Team Leadership
- Sales operations
Timeline
Central/Eastern Regional Sales Manager/USL Manager
Charly USA
09.2019 - Current
Merchandise Planner, Men’s Active/Licensed Apparel
Stage Stores
02.2019 - 09.2019
Senior Account Sales Planner
Under Armour
01.2016 - 09.2018
Strategic Account Manager; Womens/Youth Apparel
Under Armour
11.2011 - 01.2016
Account Sales Planner
Under Armour
10.2009 - 11.2011
Senior Inventory Analyst
Sears Holdings Company
06.2008 - 11.2011
General Sales Manager
Me & Ro Jewelry
10.2007 - 06.2008
Inventory Analyst
Sears Holdings Company
01.2007 - 10.2007
Director of Operations
French Look International
01.2006 - 12.2006
Department Manager
Neiman Marcus Group Ltd
07.2001 - 12.2005
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising
Western Michigan University
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