Melissa Miller
Mt. Pleasant,SC
Summary
Creative, passionate and results driven Visual Merchandising leader with 10+ years experience in driving global direction and leading teams for an international retail brand. Proven ability to positively affect business results through innovative merchandising, effective communication and leadership. Recognized as a top performer that values collaborative partnerships to achieve business goals. Passionate about healthy living, striving to inspire others to improve overall wellness. Highly motivated, forward thinking, relentlessly dedicated, and possesses tremendous enthusiasm to complete the job independently, as part of a team and as a team leader.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Wedding Director
Redeemer Presbyterian Church
05.2024 - Current
- Organize detailed site visits, allowing clients to visualize their special day and make informed decisions about venue selection.
- Deliver exceptional customer service throughout the planning process, resulting in high levels of client satisfaction and repeat business.
- Enhance client satisfaction by maintaining open communication throughout the process.
- Work closely with clients to develop personalized wedding plan that fit within budget.
- Develop and adhere to timelines to keep ceremony and reception running smoothly.
- Organize logistics and prioritize tasks for small to large-scale weddings.
- Draft wedding contracts and other documentation for review with clients and to obtain signatures and secure deposits.
- Create and manage online presence to reach larger audience of clientele.
- Evaluate existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
Senior Director Visual Merchandising
Madewell
01.2020 - Current
- Responsible for Creative and Visual Merchandising presentations in all Madewell stores and Nordstrom's wholesale business: $240M volume, 140 stores, 85+ Nordstrom stores
- Partner on concepts and manage installs for all specialty presentations including Wholesale Showroom, PR showroom, Design Presentation & High-Profile Stores
- Improved department efficiencies, processes, partnerships and communication by identifying opportunities to streamline- including department timelines and creative direction
- Lead and manage department logistics to ensure timelines and goals are met: calendar, workload, store openings
- Mentor and Manage Field Visual Team
- Provide detailed feedback on store visits, new store openings and rollout photos
- Lead weekly calls ensuring the team is supported in any specific challenges
- Developed and executed comprehensive strategic initiatives by aligning team goals with organizational vision.
- Oversaw cost-reduction initiatives for improved profitability while maintaining service quality.
- Mentored and coached team members to unlock potential and enhance individual contributions to organizational goals.
- Optimized project timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members.
- Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
- Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
- Directed design and execution of business transformation initiatives to drive performance, profit optimization and growth opportunities.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Created an agile working environment, enabling rapid response to changing business needs without sacrificing quality or performance standards.
Director of Visual Merchandising
Madewell
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Developed comprehensive visual merchandising guidelines to ensure consistency across all store locations.
- Mentored junior team members in developing their skills as visual merchandisers while fostering a positive work environment conducive to growth and innovation.
- Optimized inventory management processes to minimize stock discrepancies and maintain visually appealing shelves at all times.
- Implemented sustainable practices in store design and materials sourcing, reducing the company''s environmental footprint while maintaining a visually appealing retail space.
- Increased overall aesthetic appeal of store displays by incorporating current trends and consumer preferences.
- Coordinated with marketing teams to align promotional campaigns with in-store visual messaging for optimal impact on customer engagement and sales.
- Cultivated strong relationships with vendors and suppliers to procure high-quality materials for store displays within budget constraints.
- Played an integral role in new product launches by designing eye-catching display arrangements.
Senior Manager of Visual Merchandising
Madewell/J.Crew
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Responsible for Women's Visual Merchandising presentations in all J.Crew Group stores, including international locations: $560M volume, 285 stores
- Developed comprehensive visual merchandising guidelines to ensure consistency across all store locations.
- Partnered with Merchants, Planning & Allocation and Store Ops to manage, create and communicate all Merchandising updates
- Directed & partnered with International Merchants & Field Visual Team to ensure floor sets were translating and relevant on a global level
- Executed targeted strategies to enhance competitive positioning in key markets.
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
- Facilitated all department walk -throughs with Executive Teams and business partners
- Design and led monthly floor-set concepts- collaborating with key senior business partners on all customers touch points to ensure consistent brand messaging
- Collaborated with Key Senior Business Partners to design, rollout and communicate store fixtures that supported new businesses launches and to improve existing fixture packages
- Department Lead with cross-functional business partners on PR Showrooms, Special Events, Design Presentations (CFDA Event, Wedding PR Event, Lulu Frost Event, etc
Manager of Visual Merchandising
Madewell
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Revamped store layouts by implementing innovative visual merchandising techniques, resulting in increased customer engagement and sales.
- Played an integral role in new product launches by designing eye-catching display arrangements.
- Coordinated with marketing teams to align promotional campaigns with in-store visual messaging for optimal impact on customer engagement and sales.
- Increased overall aesthetic appeal of store displays by incorporating current trends and consumer preferences.
- Stayed abreast of industry trends and competitor activities, making strategic adjustments to visual merchandising plans as needed.
- Provided ongoing support to retail partners through frequent visits, sharing best practices, and addressing any concerns regarding visual presentation requirements.
- Oversaw visual merchandising for new store openings and store collateral change-outs.
Associate Merchandising Manager
J. Crew / Madewell
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Started with Madewell (under J.Crew Group) from its conception, working with all the moving parts that occur with a start-up business
- Managed and supervised all creative merchandising presentations in the company's concept store
- Accountable for executing all merchandising operations before, during and after Concept Week
- Led and attended all Madewell store openings as the Visual Merchandising Expert
- Frequently traveled to other Madewell stores as the Field Expert
- Managed all visual aspects at J.Crew's largest volume store in the West Region
- Effectively styled, composed and constructed all window displays, store fronts and in-store visuals, as well as maintained surrounding locations to ensure consistency of the J.Crew brand
WEST COAST COORDINATOR
Diane von Furstenberg Studio L.P.
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Managed 32 wholesale accounts (Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Barney's New York, Nordstrom's, and Holt Renfrew) in the SouthWestern Market of the US as well as the Western Region of Canada
- Built strong relationships between store management, sales associates, visual manager, and DVF Corporate management, in order to achieve sales plans and establish effective merchandising strategies
- Developed and communicated company goals
- Performed regular product knowledge seminars of upcoming collections for all stores
- Assisted the DVF Account Executive in the LA Showroom during all market weeks
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising Management
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NYAssociate of Applied Science - Applied Science
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NYSkills
- Embrace change
- Leadership
- Fixture development
- High-level communication
- Inspire and develop teams
- Budget management
- Vintage prop sourcing
- PR events & Showrooms
- Store openings
- Efficiency
- Time management
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Office
Certification
- RYT 200 - CorePower NYC, 01/01/17
- 200 HR Power Yoga Teacher Training C1, 01/01/17
- 50 HR Extensions Program, 01/01/17
Timeline
Wedding Director
Redeemer Presbyterian Church
05.2024 - Current
Senior Director Visual Merchandising
Madewell
01.2020 - Current
Director of Visual Merchandising
Madewell
01.2017 - 01.2020
Senior Manager of Visual Merchandising
Madewell/J.Crew
01.2013 - 01.2017
Manager of Visual Merchandising
Madewell
01.2006 - 01.2013
Associate Merchandising Manager
J. Crew / Madewell
01.2004 - 01.2006
WEST COAST COORDINATOR
Diane von Furstenberg Studio L.P.
01.2003 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising Management
Fashion Institute of Technology
Associate of Applied Science - Applied Science
Fashion Institute of Technology
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