Rachael Erin Wixom
Manhattan Beach,CA
Summary
I have many years of experience and education in the retail buying/merchandising/fashion industry. I have strong independent decision-making, advanced analytical skills, and sound judgment to positively impact a brand's goals and success. I am highly effective and comfortable working with people at all levels in an organization. In addition, I am a detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner/Founder- The Salty Grom
Self-employeed
09.2017 - Current
- Oversee all business operations.
- Design and source all brand products.
- Create and maintain all SKUs and assortments per season.
- Organize and attend trunk shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses, and attract new customers.
- Create line sheets and manage accounts.
- Monitor market conditions to set accurate product pricing and take advantage of emerging trends.
- Enhance operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
- Evaluate suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
- Spear head all website design and photo shoots.
Assistant Designer, Juniors and Young Men
Fortune Fashions Inc.
03.2005 - 12.2008
- Developed technical specs and costing packages.
- Negotiated and worked with overseas factories to ensure garment costs and pricing.
- Teamed on the development of inspiration boards, sample material collections, and color selection for upcoming product design.
- Supported senior designer and patternmaker with mockups, material searches, and specifications for designs.
- Worked closely with account managers to ensure the product is consistent with market trends and individual account strategies.
- Worked with vendors to select fabrics, patterns, and trims to use in final designs.
- Responsible for CADS in Illustrator, development of line sheets, and color cards.
Associate Buyer, Costume Jewelry
Macys West Corporate
01.2003 - 12.2006
- Analyzed sales and stock levels at the dept/class/SKU level to manage business trends and overall growth.
- Maintained accurate financial forecasts, and evaluated sales, markdowns, and receipts.
- Maintained timely product deliveries by effectively communicating with vendors, merchants, and the distribution center.
- Negotiated pricing for materials and supplies from vendors to secure the best value.
- Prepared in-depth reports regarding orders, sales, and costs and distributed them weekly to appropriate management staff.
- Managed OTB (open to buy) and ROF (rotating operating forecasts).
- Responsible for advertising layouts, product information, and communicating advertising needs to the advertising department.
Associate Merchandising Manager, Hermes
DFS Group Limited, LVMH
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Monitored and maximized sales opportunities in replenishment classes and key items. Helped achieve $8.6M in 2003
- Responsible for ten expanded Hermes Global Corners and six Global Gallerias' across the world.
- Established monthly goals and communicated performance expectations during team meetings to optimize sales.
- Executed in-season pricing strategies, promotions, and markdowns to reach financial targets.
- Completed efficient store resets to prepare store for special promotions and seasonal updates.
- Monitored inventory levels and made necessary adjustments to maximize sales and profits. Performed market analysis, competitive shop and analyzed sales trends to keep abreast of current trends.
- Maintained updated product knowledge to successfully educate and advise customers and sales team
- Set and managed merchandise budgets to maximize profits and control expenses.
- Analyzed trends and conducted research to determine seasonal merchandise direction.
- Prepared and analyzed weekly, monthly, and quarterly product information sheets and open-to-buy reports.
- Run reports to analyze classification and SKU-level sales and inventory. Bestsellers and slow-selling SKUS were monitored.
- Assisted in the negotiations of seasonal returns to vendors, transparency, and advertising agreements.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting And Economics
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA1999
Merchandising - Merchandising
DFS International Merchandising Program
San Francisco, CA2002
Buying - Buying/Merchandising
Macys Buying Training Program
San Francisco, CA2004
Continuing Education - Fashion Design
Otis College of Art And Design
Los Angeles, CA2007
Continuing Education - Fashion Design
LA Trade Tech
Los Angeles, CA2008
Skills
Buying
Merchandising
Fashion Design
Planning and Distribution
Financial planning
Product and SKU knowledge of large volumes
Photoshop/Illustrator
Line Sheet Creator
Excel/Word
Timeline
Owner/Founder- The Salty Grom
Self-employeed
09.2017 - Current
Assistant Designer, Juniors and Young Men
Fortune Fashions Inc.
03.2005 - 12.2008
Associate Buyer, Costume Jewelry
Macys West Corporate
01.2003 - 12.2006
Associate Merchandising Manager, Hermes
DFS Group Limited, LVMH
01.2001 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting And Economics
University of California, Santa Barbara
Merchandising - Merchandising
DFS International Merchandising Program
Buying - Buying/Merchandising
Macys Buying Training Program
Continuing Education - Fashion Design
Otis College of Art And Design
Continuing Education - Fashion Design
LA Trade Tech
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