Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards
Volunteer Experience
Timeline
Generic

Rachel Rose

Cincinnati,OH

Summary

Creative and talented Associate Buyer with years of expertise analyzing seasonal business opportunities and the merchandise that will meet those needs. A knowledgeable resource committed to hard work, communicating with all stakeholders and managing inventories. Promoting exemplary skills in managing various projects and tasks.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Associate Buyer Footwear

Zulily
11.2022 - Current
  • Successfully owned a subset of the comfort footwear portfolio-equating to 30+ vendors and nearly $17M in demand.
  • After interviewing, gained support from upper management to receive next open Buyer role.
  • Established relationships with vendors to secure competitive pricing and discounts, which resulted in growth for numerous vendors.
  • Analyzed sales and inventory data to determine purchasing needs and reorder points.
  • Surpassed LY sales for several vendors with some experiencing over 300% increases YOY.
  • Onboarded new vendor partners and developed strategies for success which included negotiating buying terms (price, quantity, inventory, and delivery).
  • Developed plans and strategy for timely sell-through on high volume pre-buys.
  • Strategically ran weekly or bi-monthly comfort footwear collection events resulting in $25k / event and moved through on-hand units at a faster pace.
  • Utilized vendor marketing to improve demand for new vendors and for long-time vendors with recent declines.
  • Shared vendor marketing findings to entire footwear team to promote use of vendor marketing and cross-divisional partnership.
  • Early adopter of AB Pool for Footwear Team. Gathered relevant findings to present a Lunch & Learn to entire Merchandising team.
  • Successfully utilized AB Pool and managed AB and MVS team members through duration of event life.
  • Change champion for internal tool and process changes as well as for new Shopify platform adoption process.
  • Worked cross-divisionally to share findings for long-term improvements.
  • Utilized KPIs and extensive reporting to assist in planning and managing the calendar, which resulted in meeting quarterly and annual goals.
  • Maintained timely product deliveries by effectively communicating with vendors, merchants, and operations.

Assistant Buyer Footwear

Zulily
07.2021 - 11.2022
  • Successfully maintained a high dollar business in the absence of a Senior Buyer and a Buyer over the course of six months.
  • Established relationships with vendors to support access to latest product information and pricing.
  • Negotiated prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.
  • Reviewed purchasing trends and forecast demand for inventory planning and replenishment.
  • Monitored incoming orders and tracked progress to meet deadlines.
  • Researched and evaluated market trends and industry developments to optimize purchasing strategies.
  • Analyzed sales data and conducted competitor research to efficiently order merchandise according to sales trends.
  • Evaluated product quality and vendor performance to maintain quality standards.
  • Aided in driving growth for vendor partners in the vintage-inspired footwear space.
  • Assisted Buyers and Senior Buyers with event curation from start to finish.
  • Partnered cross divisionally for storytelling events and event improvements as the result of industry trend research.
  • Utilized KPIs and extensive reporting to assist in planning and managing the calendar which resulted in meeting quarterly and annual goals.
  • Drove team progress through the development of the Teams FW AB Chat and outlined SOPs for pre-buys and utilization of stock imagery.
  • Aided in the integration of a vendor (through a VAN) from start to finish in order to develop a process for the continued integration company wide.
  • Dedicated member of the Merch Enablement and Engagement Committee.

Academic Advisor & Graduate Student Lecturer

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
08.2018 - 07.2021
  • Aided merchandising and design students in planning their academic coursework over four years
  • Taught an introductory merchandising course with 80 students
  • Provided research assistance to tenured faculty.

Visiting Lecturer & Graduate Teaching Assistant

Indiana University
08.2015 - 05.2018
  • Taught an introductory merchandising course and multiple sections of an international textile and trade course
  • Assisted in taking students on short-term study abroad to Guatemala to study fair trade artisans
  • Assisted tenured faculty with courses in merchandising.

Assistant Manager of Merchandising

Gap, Inc
08.2012 - 07.2015
  • Merchandised store based upon KPIs
  • Executed strategies to increase sales above forecast
  • Assisted with 21,000 sq foot remodel
  • Utilized corporate marketing strategies in store
  • Supervised and trained merchandising associates
  • Executed front window marketing and in-store collateral.

Education

Ph.D. - Consumer, Apparel, And Retail Studies

University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
07.2021

M.S. Apparel Merchandising -

Indiana University
05.2018

B.S. Liberal Studies -

Indiana State University
05.2011

Skills

  • Merchandising
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Team collaboration
  • Retail Merchandise Buying
  • Vendor Relationships
  • Strategic Pricing
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • E-commerce understanding
  • Inventory Management
  • Price Negotiation
  • Results-oriented
  • Adaptability

Awards

Zulily Fashion Team July Recognition - received recognition for rising to the challenges of the buyer-level. University of North Carolina at Greensboro- VF Fellowship and Dr. Nancy J. Sears Fellowship for Excellence. Indiana University - IU AMID Travel Grant. Gap- Store Employee of the Month (awarded three times). Indiana State University- President’s Academic Excellence Scholarship (awarded four times Indiana State University). Outstanding Student in Women’s Studies at Indiana State University.

Volunteer Experience

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, North Carolina- Volunteer and Vendor Chairperson 2019-2021

Timeline

Associate Buyer Footwear

Zulily
11.2022 - Current

Assistant Buyer Footwear

Zulily
07.2021 - 11.2022

Academic Advisor & Graduate Student Lecturer

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
08.2018 - 07.2021

Visiting Lecturer & Graduate Teaching Assistant

Indiana University
08.2015 - 05.2018

Assistant Manager of Merchandising

Gap, Inc
08.2012 - 07.2015

Ph.D. - Consumer, Apparel, And Retail Studies

University of North Carolina At Greensboro

M.S. Apparel Merchandising -

Indiana University

B.S. Liberal Studies -

Indiana State University

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