Melissa Elston Wille
Columbus,OH
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manager II
Kimball Midwest
09.2022 - Current
- Responsible for building portfolio strategies for company's categories of Cutting Tools, Shop and Safety Supplies, Hand and Pneumatic Tools totaling in $80M in yearly revenue
- Introduced merchandising strategies through introduction of product lifecycle planning, sales analysis and strategy implementation for printed marketing materials and promotional programs
- Evolved mature documenting platform for New Item Concepts to be delivered to product development teams that align with category strategies to support strategy goal of $90M per year
- Created and delivered annual Deep Dive and Roadmap analysis of all categories to executive and cross-functional management teams.
Interior Design Manager
IKEA
12.2020 - 09.2022
- Leader of Interior Design team for Columbus, OH to enhance creative direction and product strategy for renewal, remodel, market relevance, and implementation through global and local brand initiatives
- Created and Facilitated 8-week on-boarding coaching strategy to introduce and teach IKEA interior design concepts along with working methods and execution plan
- Developed strategy to reduce implementation timeline of quarterly launches from 6 to 3 weeks
- Created monthly workshops to enhance knowledge and creative skills of team members to understand interior design outside of given IKEA solutions
- Develops strategy for $85M in sales and co-owns department $800K yearly budget.
Store Manager
CVS
07.2020 - 11.2020
- Completed Store Manager Training program in 2 months with approval for individual store by month 3
- Created and led merchandising strategies for top volume store in Columbus, OH
- Oversaw complete store operations during two month complete store re-model
- Drove customer experience through conversation coaching with associates and delegated productivity by individual strengths.
Visual Merchandising Specialist
Victoria’s Secret Home Office
04.2018 - 10.2019
- Visual team leader for VS Lingerie division, overseeing visual merchandising direction for two core product categories
- Design visual merchandising layout for 350M product category to be implemented across all levels of stores in field
- Built strong relationships with cross-functional partners to translate design concept and business needs into visual merchandising strategy that supports brand vision
- Partnered with merchandising and operations team to execute tests strategies across targeted markets to drive business and create product strategy
- Lead visual team to ensure all creative displays were operationally realistic to be executed
- Gave communications team solutions and adaptations to be delivered to field leaders.
Visual Merchandising Manager
Vineyard Vines
01.2015 - 03.2018
- Member of New Store Opening team involved in on-boarding and executing 15 new locations in 2 years to deliver brand vision
- Led merchandising team to visually impact brand through high level of detail, creativity, and implementation of solid operational processes
- Designed store layout and presentations by gathering store sales data, customer market observations and space planning
- Led solo projects such as New Store Opening parties, special events, store relocations, flagship floor-sets and supported all stores in district to educate on merchandising needs
Manager of Retail Operations
The Ohio State University
12.2010 - 01.2015
- Merchant of all hard-lines from developing vendor relationships, creating customs lines, fulfilling customer needs, assimilating product to brand, control of inventory turnover and setting price-points
- Established a visual merchandise standard of creative and organic use of product throughout store, head of all product launches, in-season management and constantly re-evaluated all operational and inventory processes for rapidly growing small business.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising & Business Administration
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Columbus, OH05.2010
Skills
- Merchandising Strategy
- Retail Operations
- Project Management
- Visual Design
- Change Maker
Leadership
Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity
- Chapter Advisor 2015-2024
- Province Alumnae Chair, Ohio 2012-2014
Awards, The Ohio State University Sorority and Fraternity Life
- Chapter Advisor of the Year 2018
- House Director of the Year 2015
- Chapter Advocate of the Year 2014
Timeline
Category Manager II
Kimball Midwest
09.2022 - Current
Interior Design Manager
IKEA
12.2020 - 09.2022
Store Manager
CVS
07.2020 - 11.2020
Visual Merchandising Specialist
Victoria’s Secret Home Office
04.2018 - 10.2019
Visual Merchandising Manager
Vineyard Vines
01.2015 - 03.2018
Manager of Retail Operations
The Ohio State University
12.2010 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising & Business Administration
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY