Rebecca Newman
Bettendorf,IA
Summary
Analytical Senior Buyer with 7 years of experience conducting in-depth research and negotiating pricing with vendors to purchase apparel products. Successful in maintaining business relationships with existing vendors and identifying new business opportunities to engage with potential suppliers. Efficient in carefully reviewing pricing, terms and conditions prior to forming agreements.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Divisional Merchandise Manager
Von Maur
03.2025 - Current
- Developed and implemented merchandising strategies to enhance product visibility and sales performance.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize inventory management and assortment planning.
- Analyzed market trends and customer feedback to refine product offerings and improve customer satisfaction.
- Led training sessions for staff on visual merchandising standards and customer engagement techniques.
- Monitored key performance indicators to assess effectiveness of merchandising initiatives and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Established vendor partnerships to secure exclusive product lines, driving brand differentiation in-store.
- Managed budget allocations for divisional merchandise, maximizing return on investment across categories.
- Cultivated an environment of open communication within the team, encouraging feedback and idea sharing for continuous improvement.
- Streamlined processes for improved efficiency in merchandise planning and allocation, reducing excess stock and markdowns.
- Conducted competitor analysis to inform strategic decisions on pricing, product mix, and promotions for increased market share.
- Identified market trends and customer needs, adjusting merchandise assortments accordingly to maximize profits.
- Managed inventory levels for optimal turnover with regular analysis and forecasting techniques.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing seasonal merchandise plans, achieving revenue growth across multiple categories.
- Routinely monitored financial metrics of the division enabling prompt decision-making on inventory management.
- Mentored junior team members, fostering a culture of professional development and continuous improvement within the division.
Senior Buyer Activewear
Von Maur
09.2017 - 03.2025
- Computed and created purchase orders to maintain stock levels.
- Designed and implemented process improvements to streamline purchasing process.
- Communicated with vendors regarding inventory needs and negotiated prices to maintain profit margins.
- Employed expert inventory management and oversight skills to formulate business metrics and meet corporate goals.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
- Built long-term relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
- Prepared detailed reports to highlight inventory levels, purchase orders and discrepancies.
- Maintained key item stock levels.
- Analyzed current vendors and products to stay abreast of market trends and evaluate new suppliers.
- Maintained sales performance year over year, while maximizing profitability.
- Helped train and develop new Associate Buyers.
Buyer Women’s Sportswear
Von Maur
05.2015 - 09.2017
- Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
- Reviewed each store location's buying trends to ascertain correct assortment of apparel for maximum sales and profits.
- Maintained key item stock levels and wrote or expedited purchase orders.
- Prepared detailed reports to highlight inventory levels, purchase orders and discrepancies.
- Monitored and analyzed sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns.
- Collaborated with sales team to identify and fulfill customer needs.
- Researched and identified new suppliers and vendors.
- Designed and implemented process improvements to streamline purchasing process.
- Interacted with vendors, store managers and other stakeholders to maintain on-time deliveries.
- Computed and created purchase orders to monitor stock levels, verify purchase requisitions and expedite customer orders.
- Developed and managed budgets for purchasing and projected purchasing needs.
- Developed and improved account relationships.
- Analyzed sales and inventory data to determine purchasing needs and reorder points.
- Employed expert inventory management and oversight skills to formulate business metrics and meet corporate goals.
- Communicated with suppliers to negotiate best pricing on apparel and accessories.
- Prepared and analyzed reports to track inventory and purchasing trends.
- Provided clerks with information to print on price tags such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs or style number.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
HR Assistant
Von Maur
01.2015 - 05.2015
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to use for recruitment, employee relations and benefits administration.
- Created and completed personnel action forms for hires, terminations, title changes and terminations.
- Conducted new hire orientation to verify completion of appropriate paperwork, recording information on human resources database.
- Organized new employee orientation schedules for new hires.
- Screened applicant resumes and coordinated both phone and in-person interviews.
- Responded to inquiries by answering telephone calls, in-person questions and emails.
- Delivered friendly assistance with new hires throughout interviewing and hiring process.
- Documented human resources records and maintained confidentiality of sensitive personal information.
- Reviewed and screened applicant resumes to identify qualified candidates.
- Monitored employee attendance and performance to verify punctuality and absences, addressing issues in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Department Manager
Von Maur
09.2014 - 01.2015
- Established and cultivated solid business relationships with new or existing customers.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Coached and counseled sales personnel, assisting with individual selling efforts and helping sales representatives reach targets.
- Conducted team meetings to reinforce goals and objectives and set clear expectations about policies and procedures.
- Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution, and client satisfaction.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Coached employees in successful selling methods and encouraged cross-selling to drive revenue.
Assistant Store Manager
Kohls Department Store
08.2013 - 08.2014
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Analyzed customer feedback and implemented strategies to improve customer experience.
- Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained staff associates and equipped to comply with company policies and procedures.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Responded to customer concerns, working with manager to significantly raise customer satisfaction ratings.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Managed opening and closing procedures and recommended changes to enhance efficiency of daily activities.
- Created and maintained safe and secure work environments for employees.
Manager in Training
Kohls Department Store
06.2013 - 08.2013
- Computed and created purchase orders to maintain stock levels.
- Designed and implemented process improvements to streamline purchasing process.
- Communicated with vendors regarding inventory needs and negotiated prices to maintain profit margins.
- Employed expert inventory management and oversight skills to formulate business metrics and meet corporate goals.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
- Built long-term relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
- Prepared detailed reports to highlight inventory levels, purchase orders and discrepancies.
- Maintained key item stock levels.
- Analyzed current vendors and products to stay abreast of market trends and evaluate new suppliers.
- Maintained sales performance year over year, while maximizing profitability.
- Helped train and develop new Associate Buyers.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Business
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL05.2013
Skills
- Trend Assessment
- Customer Preferences
- Data Analysis
- Vendor Relations
- Vendor Negotiations
Timeline
Divisional Merchandise Manager
Von Maur
03.2025 - Current
Senior Buyer Activewear
Von Maur
09.2017 - 03.2025
Buyer Women’s Sportswear
Von Maur
05.2015 - 09.2017
HR Assistant
Von Maur
01.2015 - 05.2015
Department Manager
Von Maur
09.2014 - 01.2015
Assistant Store Manager
Kohls Department Store
08.2013 - 08.2014
Manager in Training
Kohls Department Store
06.2013 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Business
Columbia College Chicago