Margaret Brinckerhoff
ROSELAND,NJ
Summary
Results-driven merchandising professional with a robust background in sales and a proven track record of fostering client relationships that drive revenue growth. Expertise in strategic planning and effective communication enhances the ability to navigate dynamic market conditions while maintaining a focus on collaborative success. Recognized as a reliable team player, consistently adapting to challenges and contributing to overall team objectives. Committed to leveraging skills to create impactful solutions that meet client needs and organizational goals.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Field Executive
Advanced Life DX
06.2024 - Current
- Conducted in-depth market analysis and implemented strategic outreach efforts to develop new sales territory for MSO, focusing on elder care sector with potential revenue exceeding $1.5M.
- Oversaw the signing and servicing of more than 20 facilities, focusing on enhancing client satisfaction and operational effectiveness.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to create promotional materials tailored to target audiences.
- Implemented feedback from clients to improve service delivery and product offerings continuously.
- Provided ongoing support to existing customers, addressing concerns or questions promptly and professionally.
- Delivered outstanding customer service to ensure repeat business and referrals.
Retail Consultant
HUDSON VIEW CONSULTING
01.2019 - Current
- Consulting on product strategy, assortment, buying, and merchandising for ecommerce, brick and mortar and wholesale businesses.
- Teamed with a former vendor in an entrepreneurial venture, a collaboration with Nepalese artisans handcrafting unique pieces for limited edition product runs. Tapped into industry networks to facilitate business introductions.
- Development of merchandise line plans, OTB strategy and team architecture
Director of Merchandising
Aimee Kestenberg
New York, NY
01.2024 - 11.2024
- Developed and implemented merchandising strategies to enhance product visibility and drive sales.
- Analyzed market trends to optimize inventory levels and assortments across multiple categories.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align merchandising initiatives with marketing campaigns and promotions.
- Led team in evaluating product performance, adjusting merchandising tactics based on data-driven insights.
- Directed seasonal planning processes, ensuring timely execution of product launches in alignment with consumer demand.
Senior Director of Sales & Merchandising
KBL GROUP INTERNATIONAL
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Sales Management and Merchandising of a leading international TV retail brand
- 50% Increase in account full price sales, via product training, inventory management
- Leading the sales process execution, business development, forecasting and client relations
Vice President, Merchandising — Ecommerce, Stores & Wholesale
URBAN ZEN LLC, a Philosophy by Donna Karan
01.2013 - 01.2019
- Joined luxury lifestyle brand as consultant and recruited to the leadership team. Developed and executed merchandising and assortment strategies that achieved retail sales objectives for stores with high-end collections of products from artisans around the world. Partnered with Store Planning, Retail, Supply Chain, Sourcing, and Visual Merchandising teams to optimize sales through store operations, forecasting, pricing, and inventory management. Traveled regularly to Italy and Paris.
- Gained first-time insight into business performance and shaped profitable 100% DTC model shift, which increased sales through accurate omni-channel inventory control, by instituting POS system and reporting practices with product hierarchy.
- Maximized store sell-through opportunities by creating OTB and selling analysis formats to meet financial targets at SKU level for sales, inventory, and margin, while working with Inventory Management and Allocation to ensure inventory turn goals.
- Organized team for success in managing buys and planning for ecommerce and retail stores, ensuring synergies between ecommerce, retail, and wholesale partners for messaging, merchandising, and key investments.
Vice President, Retail Merchandising — Ecommerce & Stores in US & London
DONNA KARAN INTERNATIONAL INC.
01.2000 - 01.2013
- Rapidly promoted to member of leadership team to head retail merchandising spanning all product categories for Donna Karan New York and DKNY brands, including apparel, accessories, shoes, jewelry, and home. Set buying vision, strengthened product knowledge and strategy, and curated profitable assortments with clear command of gross margin ROI, pricing impact, and category metrics.
- Reversed negative profit trend for Donna Karan New York by building merchandising strategies that balanced brand vision, trends, and business drivers. Achieved record full-price sales that outpaced market and grew margin by 3%. Focused assortments to deliver 20% sell-through increase before final markdown, with 1.5X increase in total inventory turn.
- Co-architected ecommerce strategy and built ecommerce business from ground up, launching the first platform and growing digital channel to represent >10% of total business within 2 years.
- Optimized product assortments and buy quantities through sales and trend analysis, market segmentation, and deep market knowledge from stores, CRM data, client profiles, and client feedback.
- Instituted first-time structure and discipline related to OTB/seasonal line planning, markdown, cadence, promotional calendar, product delivery schedule, assortment planning and building, and business reporting.
- Steered profitable DTC business shift for historically wholesale-centric brand with off-price channel focus and navigated business changes through LVMH acquisition with strategic agility and managerial courage to capitalize on opportunities.
Wholesale Director / Retail Buyer
ESCADA LLC
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Led team of account executives for department store and specialty accounts to achieve sales plans and sell-through targets. Managed US fabric buys from Germany. Monitored selling and retail partner needs. Negotiated purchasing and margins.
- Fueled sales growth by developing a sales plan with the President/CEO and analyzing/applying market trends to assortment buying.
- Executed buy process from concept to completion, developing store assortment for all categories and managing SKU lifecycle.
Wholesale, National Manager
LOUIS FÉRAUD INC.
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Spearheaded sales strategy, financial projections, negotiations, and delivery schedules. Partnered with Design in Germany to merchandise the product line and sample collection to suit the US marketplace. Led account executives and Customer Service team.
- Led build out of NYC office for new sportswear line (Contraire), including seasonal showroom and stellar sales team.
- Delivered financial results that maximized revenue, gross margin, and inventory turn by promoting line with accounts/editors.
Wholesale, Account Executive
EMANUEL UNGARO LLC
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Recruited to service all major and specialty store accounts, working with regional team and account management.
Retail Store Planner / Division Planner / Retail Buyer
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE CO
01.1989 - 01.1996
- From the Executive Training Program, rapidly advanced through Department Manager, Retail Buyer, and Planner roles. Partnered with Merchandise, Planning, Allocation, and Supply Chain teams to profitably execute on sales, margin, and inventory targets.
- As Planner, developed merchandise plans by business and stores for a $125M volume division at peak, working within Special Sizes, Cosmetics, Contemporary Sportswear, and Handbags divisions. Served as financial partner to Division Merchandise Manager and liaison to DMM, buyers, and stores, with accountability for financial planning, analysis, and performance. Worked with buyers to develop brand assortment and vendor matrix to deliver against strategy.
- As Associate Buyer for department store, strengthened partnerships with the vendor community in the domestic market to curate profitable brand assortment/merchandise mix. Steered negotiations, securing exclusive products, marketing dollars, and profitable cost structure to achieve sale and margin objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Geneva, NYHigh School Diploma - undefined
Choate Rosemary Hall
Skills
- Merchandising strategy
- Sales presentations
- Sales reporting
- Effective negotiation
- Client acquisition
- CRM software proficiency
- Competitor analysis
- Cross-selling strategies
Timeline
Field Executive
Advanced Life DX
06.2024 - Current
Director of Merchandising
Aimee Kestenberg
01.2024 - 11.2024
Senior Director of Sales & Merchandising
KBL GROUP INTERNATIONAL
01.2022 - 01.2023
Retail Consultant
HUDSON VIEW CONSULTING
01.2019 - Current
Vice President, Merchandising — Ecommerce, Stores & Wholesale
URBAN ZEN LLC, a Philosophy by Donna Karan
01.2013 - 01.2019
Vice President, Retail Merchandising — Ecommerce & Stores in US & London
DONNA KARAN INTERNATIONAL INC.
01.2000 - 01.2013
Wholesale Director / Retail Buyer
ESCADA LLC
01.1998 - 01.2000
Wholesale, National Manager
LOUIS FÉRAUD INC.
01.1997 - 01.1998
Wholesale, Account Executive
EMANUEL UNGARO LLC
01.1996 - 01.1997
Retail Store Planner / Division Planner / Retail Buyer
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE CO
01.1989 - 01.1996
High School Diploma - undefined
Choate Rosemary Hall
Bachelor of Arts -
Hobart and William Smith Colleges