Hi, I’m
Patrick Campolongo
Merchandise Manager
State College,PA
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented buying professional with 15 years of cross-industry experience driving organizational growth and profitability. Proven expertise in procurement, vendor management, contract negotiation, sourcing, and inventory control. Skilled in supply chain optimization, cost reduction, and demand planning, with a track record of improving margins and driving revenue growth. Recognized for implementing purchasing strategies that reduce spend, streamline operations, and enhance supplier performance. Adept at ERP systems, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve organizational goals. Strong problem-solving and relationship management skills, with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
Overview
15
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
LAGUNITAS BREWING CO.
CUSTOMER MARKETING MANAGER - MERCHANDISE BUYER
07.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Lead project manager of all retail and multi-channel trade POS merchandise, from concept and prototyping to budgeting, timelines, inventory and execution.
- Manage POS vendor and the ordering portal supporting a nationwide sales team and distributor network.
- Established strong relationships with key industry partners for co-marketing initiatives.
- Execute RFP processes for brand, customer marketing, and POS merchandise suppliers and agencies.
- Curate complete POS merchandise assortments to support seasonal, quarterly, and annual marketing initiatives.
- Drive continuous quality improvement initiatives with internal teams and external merchandising partners.
- Develop and distribute detailed sales, inventory, and marketing performance reports across the organization.
- Enhance product visual presentation to increase customer engagement and drive sales conversion rates.
- Analyze stakeholder feedback to identify trends and innovations, improving merchandise strategy and assortment.
- Launch monthly merchandise programs aligned with key industry events, ensuring timely product availability.
- Report directly to CEO, CFO, and CMO on marketing performance and merchandise initiatives.
SHOE PALACE INC.
OMNI CHANNEL BUYER
11.2019 - 01.2021
Job overview
- Managed $100m in revenues for international brands across multiple categories.
- Oversaw the entire buying process, from vendor relations to purchase orders.
- Maintained and analyzed comprehensive data to increase profitability through reorders and markdowns, while minimizing risk.
- Collaborated with internal departments (planning, allocation, marketing, retail operations, and warehouse) to ensure consistent and successful product delivery and go-to-market strategies.
- Reduced procurement costs through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, and effective negotiations.
APPALACHIAN OUTDOORS
OMNI CHANNEL BUYER
01.2019 - 11.2019
Job overview
- Managed footwear department comprehensively.
- Developed a compelling product assortment surpassing sales and gross margin targets.
- Supervised OTB for orders, considering past sales, trends, and customer preferences.
- Handled all vendor communication and negotiations.
eLOOP LLC
SALES AND PROCUREMENT
04.2018 - 01.2019
Job overview
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives, identifying and implementing best practices to drive operational excellence in utilities management and procurement activities.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to develop strategies for improving overall organizational performance in utilities management and procurement activities.
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
OMNI CHANNEL BUYER
01.2013 - 03.2018
Job overview
- Promoted three times from store manager to global omni-channel buyer in under 5 years.
- Conducted analysis of sales, stock, and orders to enhance profitability and reduce markdowns.
- Ensured alignment of buying strategies and financial goals.
- Collaborated with planning team and DMM through detailed business analysis.
- Coordinated with Design and Production teams to oversee internal product development.
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
ASSISTANT BUYER-FOOTWEAR
08.2013 - 06.2015
Job overview
- Assisted in creating an attractive product assortment that exceeded sales volume
- Organized and provided statistical reports to buyer and planners to ensure accurate forecasting
- Built and maintained Buy Sheets for all five classes within the department
- Responsible for product entry including detailed attributing, pricing, discount, vendor, delivery and plan/receipt information.
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
MANAGER–MEN’S ACCESSORIES & HOUSEWARES
08.2011 - 12.2013
Job overview
- Assisted in interviewing, hiring, and training 70 associates for store opening
- Conducted meetings to inspire and encourage teamwork to successfully meet sales goals
- Supervised daily operations including the opening/closing process and cash management.
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
TEAM LEADER–MEN’S ACCESSORIES
01.2013 - 08.2013
Job overview
- Led service efforts to help store maintain top 5 overall sales by volume in the company per year
- Motivated sales associates and fostered a positive vibe using creativity and leadership
- Assumed short term department manager leadership to deliver weekly directives
- Collaborated with corporate merchandisers to build a seasonal floor set concept for all stores.
NEIMAN MARCUS
ASSISTANT BUYER
11.2010 - 06.2011
Job overview
- Completed 12-week Executive Development Training Program
- Supported senior buyer in achieving sales and gross margin plans
- Oversaw vendor support and store communication
- Assisted in financial planning and forecasting.
Education
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Smeal College of Business
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE from ECONOMICS
UNIVERSIDAD ANTONIO DE NEBRIJA, BARCELONA, SPAIN
University Overview
Liberal arts and culture program focusing on international business and Spanish. Served as a promotion specialist with Backdoor Industries during the semester abroad
Skills
- Data and Risk Analysis
- Team Collaboration
- Trend Analysis
- Product Development
- Documentation And Reporting
- Inventory Oversight
- Demand planning
- Category management
- Competitive analysis
- Sales analysis
Certification
Certified Heineken Sensory Panel:
- Conduct twice-daily tasting sessions in a laboratory environment to ensure quality and consistency.
- Perform blind tests on various liquids, including routine and trial samples such as packaged, FV, EOV, brewery comparisons, city water table samples, and more.
Accomplishments
- Earned “Golden Mason Jar” award for exceeding company wide cost-savings initiatives for schwag shop inventory.
Timeline
CUSTOMER MARKETING MANAGER - MERCHANDISE BUYER
LAGUNITAS BREWING CO.
07.2021 - Current
OMNI CHANNEL BUYER
SHOE PALACE INC.
11.2019 - 01.2021
OMNI CHANNEL BUYER
APPALACHIAN OUTDOORS
01.2019 - 11.2019
SALES AND PROCUREMENT
eLOOP LLC
04.2018 - 01.2019
ASSISTANT BUYER-FOOTWEAR
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
08.2013 - 06.2015
OMNI CHANNEL BUYER
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
01.2013 - 03.2018
TEAM LEADER–MEN’S ACCESSORIES
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
01.2013 - 08.2013
MANAGER–MEN’S ACCESSORIES & HOUSEWARES
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
08.2011 - 12.2013
ASSISTANT BUYER
NEIMAN MARCUS
11.2010 - 06.2011
UNIVERSIDAD ANTONIO DE NEBRIJA, BARCELONA, SPAIN
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Smeal College of Business
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE from ECONOMICS