Melinda Casillas
Riverside,CA
Summary
Product Merchandiser skilled in leading product lifecycle from conception to launch. Proven ability to analyze market trends and customer needs to develop successful product strategies. Known for collaborative teamwork and adaptability in dynamic environments, ensuring alignment with business goals and delivering impactful results.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandiser
Hybrid Apparel
10.2025 - Current
- Create product assortments for the Mens & Boys Division based on trends and account needs.
- Work closely with Sales, Design and Buyers on strategies to ensure the highest level of ROI based upon account intelligence.
- Work closely with Design to align on key items/core initiatives based on current account direction and trends.
- Work closely with Licensing to maintain licensing goals and explore new opportunities for Brand placement.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, optimizing product placement for improved sales performance.
Global Merchandiser
Volcom/Liberated Brands
08.2022 - 03.2025
- Managed all aspects of the product life cycle which included timeline, product execution, and delivery for the Captain Fin Brand/Volcom SMU.
- Collaborated with Design Team and Product Developers to create lines plans, conduct market research, product creation, and quality each season (two seasons).
- Created Hindsight presentations by conducting analysis of historical sell-in and sell-thru numbers to make the best decisions for future product needs.
- Liaison between Sales and Design/Development to ensure product assortment aligns with customer needs. This included Inline and Special Make Up (SMU) product.
- Responsible for PLM system management to ensure that all products are setup accurately, and ready for integration from Centric to Full Circle (ERP system).
- Ensured costs of product aligned with our margin goals.
- Assisted with catalog creation, photoshoots, and ensuring salesmen sample orders are placed.
- Presented the line each season during Go to Market meetings.
Product Line Manager
Hurley International LLC/Supply Accessories
12.2019 - 08.2022
- Managed and created the line plan for the Inline headwear assortment every season (four seasons).
- Acted as the liaison between Sales and Design Team on Special Make Up (SMU) requests and assortments that aligned with customer needs.
- Communicated daily with overseas vendors to monitor product development and negotiate costs, samples, and delivery dates.
- Maintained development trackers with factory costs, margins, deliverables, and product attributes.
- Responsible for PLM system management for new and carryover style updates.
- Scheduled and attended photo-shoots for seasonal catalogs.
- Managed and updated the licensing databases and ensured that artwork, Pre-Production/Top of Production Samples were submitted to licensor for approval.
- Presented the line to Sales Team during Go to Market every season.
Category Information Analyst
Hurley International LLC
07.2017 - 12.2019
- Maintained product data such as style groups, product names, color names, product codes, descriptions, and pricing within the NIKE and Full Circle systems.
- Collaborated with Product Line Managers and assisted with Line Planning, Product Creation, and Catalog Creation each season.
- Performed weekly audits and line scrubs to maintain the data integrity of the line.
- Ensured that all product revisions and data inaccuracies had been communicated to the team and updated in Style Master.
- Troubleshot EDI errors and ensured all style UPC’s had batched over to GXS/GX1.
Merchandise Coordinator
Otto International, Inc.
07.2015 - 07.2017
- Communicated with overseas vendors regarding sourcing, development, quality, and sampling.
- Tracked and approved samples according to calendar due dates via spreadsheets and master database files.
- Actively participated in Leadership meetings with management, vendors, and CEO to review new product development and materials of upcoming seasons.
Sales Coordinator
Shawl Dawls
12.2013 - 07.2015
- Attended various Trade Shows every month to promote and sell products.
- Coordinated details of Trade Show booths (scheduling, reserving booth space)
- Assisted with order fulfillment (pulling, packing and shipping orders).
Education
Bachelor of Science - Apparel Merchandise and Management
California State Polytechnic University of Pomona
Pomona, CA01.2013
Skills
- Full Circle, Centric, Elastic
- Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator
- Pivot Tables, V-Lookups, and Formulas
- Quick Learner
- Detail Oriented & Organized
- Strong Analytical Skills
- Passion for Product
- Dedicated
- Merchandising strategies
- Trade show participation
Timeline
Merchandiser
Hybrid Apparel
10.2025 - Current
Global Merchandiser
Volcom/Liberated Brands
08.2022 - 03.2025
Product Line Manager
Hurley International LLC/Supply Accessories
12.2019 - 08.2022
Category Information Analyst
Hurley International LLC
07.2017 - 12.2019
Merchandise Coordinator
Otto International, Inc.
07.2015 - 07.2017
Sales Coordinator
Shawl Dawls
12.2013 - 07.2015
Bachelor of Science - Apparel Merchandise and Management
California State Polytechnic University of Pomona