Performance-focused leader with extensive experience in sales operations, buying/merchandising, inventory control, customer service, business growth, and team leadership within luxury apparel and jewelry retail sectors.
• Demonstrated success in leading and training cross-functional teams to implement sales and merchandising strategies with a focus on achieving sales and profitability goals.
• Solid communication and negotiation skills coupled with the capacity to cultivate lucrative partnerships with vendors, lead impactful marketing initiatives and engage with customers to expand business opportunities.
• Highly skilled in curating exclusive product selections for high-net-worth clients, celebrities, and industry leaders.
• Adept at conducting market trend analysis, evaluating consumer behavior, and attending major fashion events and shows to identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
• Exceptional management acumen and proven skills in overseeing diverse functions, including product selection/buying, inventory optimization, strategic account planning, and project management.
• Dedicated to leveraging extensive experience and strategic vision, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and optimizing product selection to achieve business goals and propel organizational success.
Lead buying operations across designer and contemporary store locations by leading and training sales teams focused on effective selling techniques and a high-performance culture. Establish long-term customer relationships by providing exceptional service and ensuring a personalized shopping experience.
• Delivered bespoke buying, selling, and styling services to high-net-worth individuals, including A-list celebrities and tech moguls by curating and sourcing exclusive items to meet their unique tastes and needs.
• Exceeded sales targets by 10%-20% through strategic inventory selection and client engagement.
• Attended fashion weeks and showrooms in New York, Paris, and Milan to oversee product selections, stay ahead of industry trends, and ensure the store's offerings remained cutting-edge.
• Strengthened relationships with brand representatives to negotiate exclusive deals, improve vendor partnerships, and secure premium merchandise.
• Led store merchandising efforts and assisted in styling seasonal visual displays in alignment with sales trends and customer preferences to elevate store aesthetics and enhance in-store customer experience.
• Utilized retail math concepts, including markup, margin planning, open-to-buy, and inventory productivity to streamline operational costs, optimize inventory management, and maximize profitability.
• Applied extensive knowledge of retail environments, fabrications, and garment construction, along with contemporary and designer brands to curate high-quality selections and maintain a competitive edge.
• Oversaw brand budgets, inventory turnover, and SKU categories with minimal supervision and aligned spending with macro budget goals to reduce excess inventory and enhance overall financial performance.
• Managed social media initiatives to enhance brand presence and completed special projects as assigned by management, which contributed to overall operational efficiency and brand visibility.
• Partner Brands: Alaia, A.L.C., Akris, Balmain, Dolce&Gabbana, Ermanno Scervino, Jimmy Choo, Kiton, Loro Piana, Manolo Blahnik, Missoni, Pomellato, Pasquale Bruni, Stella McCartney, The Row, Valentino Garavani, Versace, Zimmerman and more.
Oversaw and approved post-purchase orders, addressed fit issues, managed retail changes, and resolved delays with minimal supervision. Partnered with renowned brands to enhance product offerings and secure exclusive merchandise. Conducted sales forecasting to inform strategic planning and optimize inventory stocks.
Collaborated with prominent brands to expand product offerings and enhance store collections. Addressed and resolved challenges through excellent problem-solving skills to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
Recruited over eight account coordinators and provided coaching on client service, product knowledge, and strategic sales techniques by utilizing extensive luxury product sales experience.
Retail Strategy Sales Team Leadership Business Development Initiatives Client Relationship & Networking Strategic Account Planning Analytical Skills & Data-Driven Insights Social Media Management ▪ Trend Analysis Inventory Optimization Retail & Financial Metrics Market Research Vendor Negotiation ▪ Partnership Building Sales Forecasting Merchandising Product Knowledge & Selection Process Improvement Budget Management