Maria Jose Bonilla Muñoz
Miami,FL
Summary
Results-oriented retail leader leveraging advanced analytics and strategic insights to drive growth. Skilled in storytelling and assortment curation, enhancing team engagement and merchandising effectiveness. Focused on cultivating talent and improving customer experiences through innovative strategies, comprehensive analysis, and impactful training initiatives.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Retail Excellence Manager Latam, Caribbean & Miami
LVMH – Tiffany & CO
Miami, USA
2025.06 - Current
- Established and led business intelligence unit for Zone President, delivering data-driven insights and strategic recommendations for double-digit growth.
- Directed Retail Performance initiatives for LATAM and Miami, implementing high-impact incentives to enhance team engagement.
- Created and implemented Retail Performance and Merchandising strategies for annual strategic plan presented to Exco, driving alignment with business objectives.
- Led business excellence trainings to cultivate leadership skills and foster agility in KPIs and store rituals, enhancing sales and conversion rates.
- Developed regional assortment strategies that aligned product selection with market trends across all channels to achieve business objectives.
- Conduct monthly competitor analysis to identify opportunities for market share growth through product and service excellence.
Fashion Business and Buying Professor
Instituto Marangoni Miami
Miami, USA
2024.05 - 2025.09
- Delivered lectures and designed curriculum that combined academic rigor with insights from luxury retail.
- Coordinated workshops with industry guest speakers to enhance student learning and real-world application.
Regional Merchandise Manager East Coast
KERING – GUCCI
Miami, USA
2021.08 - 2024.05
- Spearheaded all product merchandising strategies and launches for all retail stores for the East Coast (57).
- Leveraged market expertise to curate assortments that drove KPIs and optimized product categories.
- Reported directly to the EVP of Merchandising, oversaw 4 regions, drove business through deep analysis and action planning, and provided in-store trainings.
- Analyzed weekly trends and tracked launches, competitors, and category performance; recommended strategies to enhance sales and reported market dynamics to CEO.
- Cultivated merchandising culture in stores, fostered relationships with key partners, and presented category investment strategies to retail leadership, enhancing store buying capabilities and target achievement.
- Partnered with the regional VP on quarterly strategies and presented them during business review to the executive board and CEO.
- Nominated by the WW CEO to found the High-End Circle and set up the strategic foundation for: Exotics, High Jewelry and Gowns, creating the framework and goals to grow these business categories in all US Gucci stores and Digital.
Regional Merchandise Manager Southeast
LVMH - LOUIS VUITTON
Miami, USA
2019.09 - 2021.02
- Devise and execute the merchandising strategy for the Southeast to maximize sales and achieve financial targets +14% in 2020.
- Drive business through deep analysis and action planning, animating, training in-store, adjusting assortments and stock as needed.
- Set up the strategic foundation and develop double digit growth for High End (fastest growing region in: Exotics, W&J, and Trunks).
- Created a High-End culture within the stores and the regional team, delivering service excellence across the store network.
- Determined product assortment and strategy for High-End Events, Pop Ups, Pop Ins ($10M+ Goal events) and achieved targets.
- Market amplifier, provided market insights, competitive shopping becoming an evangelist showcasing opportunities to increase sales.
Marketing Specialist Travel Retail Americas- Temporary Consultant
LVMH- BVLGARI
Miami, USA
2019.04 - 2019.09
- Redefined regional marketing strategies, promotions and processes for all The Americas to maximize sales ($32M business).
- Drove instore animations and storytelling for each market, to elevate the consumer experience and brand’s vision.
- Analyzed internal processes to create synergies and reporting to generate strategic recommendations for the CEO.
- Ideated reports to track sell out by account to streamline analysis and action planning that partnership on campaign performances.
- Managed marketing budget and Capex for the Americas (From Canada to Argentina), including POS, ships and distributors.
Head of Merchandising and Operations South Region
SWAROVSKI
Miami, USA
2016.04 - 2018.08
- Established Merchandise Planning and Visual Merchandising departments for South Region, covering 80 stores.
- Led development of product, planning, and visual merchandising strategies for $80 million business.
- Led inventory management, pricing, and OTB initiatives to enhance efficiencies and identify growth opportunities.
- Negotiated buying plans with NY and HQ to align with budgets and maximize sales per door.
- Forecasted product demand to anticipate gaps, increasing stock turnover and inventory efficiencies.
- Directed product strategy for outlets, addressing production gaps to achieve 30% increase in Full Margin sales.
- Collaborated with VP to build quarterly budgets aligned with financial goals across all channels.
Senior Manager of Merchandising Global
CALVIN KLEIN
New York, USA
2014.08 - 2016.01
- Lead product and brand strategy for CKS Men’s global ($138M business).
- Determined merchandising line plans for domestic department stores and international markets.
- Managed the brand for international markets, trained sales team by region, and visited stores, accounts and territories seasonally.
- Sold the collection to nine international accounts, Macy’s and amazon: assorted the buy, edited the line and ranked styles by delivery and region.
- Analyzed best sellers and current trends to forecast units according to a global business strategy, increased +116% in 12 months.
- Partnered with Sales and Visual team in the design and execution of seasonal floor sets and promotional activities by region.
ORIGINAL PENGUIN - Sr. Manager of Product Development and Merchandising for the Americas
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL
New York, USA
2013.08 - 2014.08
- Executed merchandising strategies and seasonal line plans, creating profitable assortments for US, LATAM, and Europe.
- Lead the development and execution of all product lines in collaboration with the brand president (Men’s, Women’s and baby categories).
- Developed seasonal global looks to ensure consistency across the global line while balancing key and fashion items for each market.
- Determined price strategies to exceed margin goals, secure deliveries including off-season international product requests.
- Managed and mentored a product team of 3 while leading a cross-functional team of 10 to achieve project objectives.
- Directed a cross-functional team of 10 members to achieve project alignment and goals.
PERRY ELLIS COLLECTION - Merchandise Manager: Woven classifications
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL
New York, USA
2011.12 - 2013.08
- Managed development and execution of product lines with Chief Merchandise Officer and Creative Director to align with business goals.
- Determined seasonal costing strategies and partnered with sourcing to exceed margin goals while securing timely deliveries.
- Developed the merchandising line plan by season. Partnered with Design to build balanced product assortments.
- Analyzed weekly selling reports; provided recommendations, pricing and promotional strategies.
- Presented the line to LATAM, and APAC accounts, increased product bookings 50% by implementing economies of scale.
- Led and mentored the Merchandise Coordinator Team of 3. Led cross functional team of 15 people.
- Directed cross-functional team of 15 members to meet project objectives on time and within budget.
PERRY ELLIS COLLECTION - Design Support Manager
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL
New York, USA
2011.05 - 2011.11
- Managed design processes across all Men's classifications, ensuring alignment with brand vision.
- Established and standardized new product development processes in NY office, improving workflow for all product classifications.
- Led recruitment and restructuring of 8 Product Coordinators, enhancing departmental coverage across 4 divisions.
PERRY ELLIS COLLECTION - Product Coordinator Knits, Woven, Bottoms and Sweaters
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL
New York, USA
2009.06 - 2011.05
- Cultivated relationships with international vendors through daily communication, ensuring successful line production.
- Led weekly product development meetings with Design, Sourcing and Merchandising teams.
- Coordinated projects across categories, overseeing fabric development through to production.
- Won Rookie of the year award for high performance and excellence in communication.
Marketing Coordinator and Product Designer
MINT NYC/CURVE ID
New York, USA
2007.05 - 2009.01
- Managed product development through market research, concept ideation, and coordination with overseas factories to deliver innovative solutions.
- Expanded brand presence internationally by participating in European trade fairs and fostering client relationships to enhance market visibility.
- Collaborated with renowned clients like Nike, Colgate, Oxo, and John Deere on product development for Curve ID.
- Streamlined product ideation processes by facilitating effective communication between Curve ID and global clients.
Education
Associate in Applied Science Degree - Fashion Merchandising Management
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
New York01.2009
Certificate - Marketing Strategy and Brand Management
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
New York01.2008
Bachelor - Industrial Design, Minor in Business
UNIVERSIDAD DE LOS ANDES
Bogotá, Colombia01.2006
Languages
- English
- Italian
- Spanish, Native
- English, Fluent
- Italian, Basic
Language and Software
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Italian
Elementary
Accomplishments
Rookie of the year Award - Perry Ellis
SOFTWARE
- Web PDM, PLM, Adobe Creative Suite, SAP, SAS, BW, Power BI, Sales Force, Advanced Excel/Office/Power Point.
Timeline
Regional Retail Excellence Manager Latam, Caribbean & Miami
LVMH – Tiffany & CO
2025.06 - Current
Fashion Business and Buying Professor
Instituto Marangoni Miami
2024.05 - 2025.09
Regional Merchandise Manager East Coast
KERING – GUCCI
2021.08 - 2024.05
Regional Merchandise Manager Southeast
LVMH - LOUIS VUITTON
2019.09 - 2021.02
Marketing Specialist Travel Retail Americas- Temporary Consultant
LVMH- BVLGARI
2019.04 - 2019.09
Head of Merchandising and Operations South Region
SWAROVSKI
2016.04 - 2018.08
Senior Manager of Merchandising Global
CALVIN KLEIN
2014.08 - 2016.01
ORIGINAL PENGUIN - Sr. Manager of Product Development and Merchandising for the Americas
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL
2013.08 - 2014.08
PERRY ELLIS COLLECTION - Merchandise Manager: Woven classifications
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL
2011.12 - 2013.08
PERRY ELLIS COLLECTION - Design Support Manager
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL
2011.05 - 2011.11
PERRY ELLIS COLLECTION - Product Coordinator Knits, Woven, Bottoms and Sweaters
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL
2009.06 - 2011.05
Marketing Coordinator and Product Designer
MINT NYC/CURVE ID
2007.05 - 2009.01
Associate in Applied Science Degree - Fashion Merchandising Management
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Certificate - Marketing Strategy and Brand Management
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Bachelor - Industrial Design, Minor in Business
UNIVERSIDAD DE LOS ANDES