Patricia Geraci
Hoffman Estates,IL
Summary
Accomplished Merchant with extensive experience for effective strategic thinking and a reputation for developing and implementing highly successful initiatives that surpass sales, mark-up and reduction objectives. Skilled negotiator who establishes and expands business partnerships and alliances with international and domestic vendors. Articulate communicator who delivers professional presentations to major senior executives. Dedicated employee with strong work ethic who has continually been entrusted with high levels of responsibility throughout retail career. Procurement professional with robust background in supply chain management and strategic sourcing. Known for enhancing procurement processes and forging strong vendor relationships to deliver cost-effective solutions. Strong focus on collaborative teamwork and achieving strategic purchasing goals, ensuring adaptability to changing market conditions.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Buyer
Winston Brands
03.2018 - Current
- Responsible for assigned areas of Children's Toys, Games,Personal Care, Health, Wellness and Beauty for our Collections Etc and Better Senior Living Ecommerce business and Catalog Direct to Consumer. Omnichannel Merchant.
- Built on-line category sales for Toys & Personal Care to increase margin dollars and expand customer base. Product Development, Product Design and Execution.
- Plan Inventory, Quantity Buys, Assortment Planning and Markdowns for Category Buying Responsibility,
- Plan and manage buying schedule per project and category
- Maintain vendor relationships and negotiate all annual vendor contracts, new and existing, Vendor negotiations on all pricing.
- Buyer Manager , Trainer and Mentor for Associate Buyer and Assistant Buyers
- Onboarding and Development of Drop Ship Vendors with Radial/Vendornet
Senior Buyer
Hammacher Schlemmer
08.2011 - 03.2018
- Responsible for assigned areas of Personal Care, Health, Wellness and Footwear for America’s Oldest Running Catalog (+170 years) and all On-Line/Web Category Buying, approximately 26% of company’s annual volume
- Along with purchasing of hard line branded product, built exclusive and proprietary Personal Care product line +30%
- Built on-line category sales for Personal Care and Footwear to increase margin dollars and expand customer base
- Plan Inventory, Quantity Buys, Assortment Planning and Markdowns for Category Buying Responsibility
- Maintain vendor relationships and negotiate all annual vendor contracts, new and existing, for growth in ad co-op and accruals
- Plan and manage buying schedule per project and category
- Buyer Manager and Mentor for Assistant Buyer in reporting and analytics of categories
- Hammacher Schlemmer Core Values Excellence Award recipient 2014
Product Development Buyer Level II
LTD Commodities, LLC
03.2009 - 08.2011
- Business to Business, Consumer Nationwide Catalog and Internet Buyer
- As a Buyer for LTD Commodities my product lines include Fine and Costume Jewelry, Fashion Accessories, Footwear, Hosiery, Headwear, Cold Weather, Apparel Items, Cosmetics, Skincare, Supplements, and Wellness items
- These categories expand a broad customer base for Ladies, Men, Teens and Infant departments
Product Development/Sourcing/Account Strategist
Silvergoose/Longstreet
08.2008 - 01.2009
- Responsible for Product Development and Sourcing of Branded and Non-Branded Handbags, Slippers, Hosiery Accessories and Jewelry
- Midwest Regional Sales Account Strategist based in IL
- Planned and developed projects across teams
Senior Buyer
Claire's Accessories, Inc.
01.2001 - 08.2008
- Responsible for assigned area of Occasion Jewelry, Hairgoods, Fashion Accessories, Handbags for the Claire’s and Icing division
- Buying responsibility for inventory levels of $80 million annual sales volume and 3000+ styles
- Managed a team with 8 direct reports
- As a Senior Buyer for Claire’s and Icing I have bought the following product lines: Sunglasses, Hosiery, Hats, Small Leather Goods, Handbags, Hairgoods, Electronics, Footwear/Shoes, Apparel, Costum/Fine Jewelry, Belts and Room Accessories
- Corporate Company Merchandising Trainer
- Buyer of the Year awarded 2006, 2008
Associate Buyer
Claire's Accessories, Inc.
08.1998 - 12.2000
- Responsible for the growth of the fashion Hairgoods department of the Claire’s division, with annual sales of $35 million
- Areas of responsibility include sales forecasting, profit margins, product development, marketing mix, vendor sourcing, quality control, and advertising campaigns
- Partner with a cross functional team to identify innovative opportunities and development of concepts to enhance revenue growth
- Sourcing of new product lines for existing Hairgoods department
Assistant Buyer
Claire's Accessories, Inc.
10.1996 - 08.1998
- Accountable for the selection, purchasing and delivery of specified product groups that directly impact profitability through merchandising related to sales
- Responsible for $12 million annual sales volume
- Jewelry and Hairgoods for the Claire’s division
Distributor/Allocation Planning Analyst
Claire's Accessories, Inc.
09.1995 - 10.1996
- Responsibilities included financial plan development, inventory control, seasonal projections, product markdowns, and senior management reporting
Education
Fashion Marketing And Merchandising
William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, ILSkills
- Technologically skilled in Microsoft Office, Excel, AS-400, AX data base recovery systems
- Purchase order management
- Relationship building
- Multi-tasking strength
- Materials sourcing
- Supplier relationship management
- Inventory monitoring
- Customer service
- Demand forecasting
- Pricing analysis
- Purchasing expertise
- Verbal and written communication
- Negotiation
- Strategic sourcing
- Strategic planning
- Forecasting
- Pricing negotiations
- Vendor relations
- Contract negotiation
- Financial planning
- Database maintenance
- Cost analysis
- Quality control analysis
- Strategizing
- Procurement procedures
- Purchasing strategy development
- Supplier sourcing
- Competitor analysis
Summary Of Experience
Drove the department’s annual revenue growth by increasing MMU. Increased average store sales over last year while lowering the department’s reduction rate., Developed strategic business plan that maintained the department to be 11% of the company sales. Analyze consumer trends, leverage competitive advantage, design and launch new products and programs to improve profit margins and achieve corporate objectives., Conduct research in the market to gain consumer insight and develop highly accurate trend right forecasts., Refine marketing plans to effectively deliver new programs that were lacking in the market place that help drive the department’s success., Nurture profitable partnerships with new and existing vendor base in order to optimize a competitive advantage and respond to customer needs., Negotiate mutually beneficial agreements, conduct inspections to ensure quality, and develop and expedite timely delivery schedules to meet the company’s needs., Extensive travel to vendor locations in Asia including Hong Kong, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and India to adopt an understanding of business customs throughout Asia while negotiating profitable and timely business transactions. Sourcing and Product development trips to UK, Paris, and Japan., Expand knowledge relating to strategic alliances, product development, quality control, cost negotiations, and shipping alternatives., Assess employee core competencies to capitalize on strengths, identify weaknesses, and create an achievable career path. Mentor associates to higher levels of responsibility. Corporate Company Trainer., Create a cohesive and highly motivated team where all members feel that they are a valuable and integral part of the cross functional team., Identify and merge international trends for sourcing and development of Claire’s private label product lines. Create, design and source new product trends and ideas for Claire’s and Icing., Recognize and capitalize on top sellers and deliver versions for forward trend and strategies.
Timeline
Senior Buyer
Winston Brands
03.2018 - Current
Senior Buyer
Hammacher Schlemmer
08.2011 - 03.2018
Product Development Buyer Level II
LTD Commodities, LLC
03.2009 - 08.2011
Product Development/Sourcing/Account Strategist
Silvergoose/Longstreet
08.2008 - 01.2009
Senior Buyer
Claire's Accessories, Inc.
01.2001 - 08.2008
Associate Buyer
Claire's Accessories, Inc.
08.1998 - 12.2000
Assistant Buyer
Claire's Accessories, Inc.
10.1996 - 08.1998
Distributor/Allocation Planning Analyst
Claire's Accessories, Inc.
09.1995 - 10.1996
Fashion Marketing And Merchandising
William Rainey Harper College
Similar Profiles
Laura RivasLaura Rivas
QA Inspector at Winston BrandsQA Inspector at Winston Brands
Sandra LopezSandra Lopez
Returns Processor at Winston BrandsReturns Processor at Winston Brands
Ivey GunterIvey Gunter
School Counselor at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School SystemSchool Counselor at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System
Henry FloresHenry Flores
Maintenance Technician at TankServ360Maintenance Technician at TankServ360
Naomi PadronNaomi Padron
Service Crew Member at Portillos RestaurantService Crew Member at Portillos Restaurant