Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Rissa Perkiel

New York,NY

Summary

Results-driven, client-centric sales and merchandising leader with a track record of exceeding goals across Wholesale, Ecommerce and Brick-and-Mortar channels.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Sales

Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry
01.2018 - Current
  • Head wholesale division for Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry (Majors and ~200 Specialty Stores); consistently achieving financial and distribution goals for the company (+20% YOY during my tenure)
  • Drive expansion online and in stores for key major accounts (Neiman Marcus/Bergdorf, Saks, Shopbop, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's) by analyzing data and implementing strategic action plans to grow the business
  • Successfully expanded specialty boutique business by 30% over two years; created demand for trade-shows, market appointments, trunk shows and stock shows to drive sales and increase brand awareness
  • Own product framework for wholesale; influence product direction by bringing sales data and customer feedback to the design team to meet the needs of wholesale accounts
  • Leverage relationships to pitch and win new accounts: Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Anthropologie, Curateur and Good Morning America; manage the entire sales cycle from initial conversations through contract negotiations

Senior Account Executive/Merchandiser

BAUBLEBAR
11.2014 - 03.2017
  • Responsible for the sales and distribution growth strategy for BaubleBar’s Wholesale division in order to deliver maximum sales growth and exceed company financial objectives
  • Instrumental in launching BaubleBar’s Wholesale division starting with the launch of Nordstrom and building to ~$8m business over three years
  • Travel onsite to present assortment and sales strategies to senior leaders (Nordstrom, DSW, QVC and Bloomingdale’s) resulting in strategic partnerships for BaubleBar’s In-Store presence and Omnichannel expansion
  • Built and developed strong relationships with retailers and all internal cross functional partners including Design, Buying, Sourcing, Marketing, and Operations
  • Project managed all new partner launches including project plan, merchandising strategies, marketing/social media plans, in-store experience and operations (Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, QVC and DSW)
  • Managed and coached a sales team of three direct reports

Ecommerce Senior Merchandiser

ANN INC
11.2010 - 11.2014
  • Responsible for Loft Ecommerce Tops division growth and performance; exceeded financial objectives for four consecutive years (~$100m business)
  • Used web analytics tools (Magento) to monitor, analyze and report on key Ecommerce metrics, identifying areas for improvement and actioning changes to drive sales and customer satisfaction
  • Worked closely with multiple departments including brand marketing, supply chain, planning, and finance to optimize the Ecommerce business; facilitated communication and alignment between teams to achieve business objectives
  • Partnered with the planning team to develop seasonal plans, manage open-to-buy and identify opportunities to exceed financial goals
  • Created an online exclusive assortment for each category to expand trends and support marketing representing 30% of the business (~$30m)
  • Managed a team of three direct reports

Buyer

Liz Claiborne Inc, Juicy Couture
03.2006 - 10.2010
  • Drove buying and merchandising strategies in order to meet sales and profitability goals for 73 stores
  • Played an integral part in building seasonal line architecture and line edits to ensure retail store needs were met from a product, price, margin, trend and competitive perspective
  • Led visual directives, promotional and key item strategies to communicate trends and big ideas to the customer
  • Partnered with marketing and PR teams to plan promotional calendar, marketing plans, seasonal mailers and in-store events
  • Worked closely with external vendors to ensure proper buying/execution of licensed products (footwear, sunglasses, watches, and fragrance); organized vendor training seminars and created product knowledge selling tools
  • Awarded Juicy Couture Entrepreneur of the Year for driving the successful launch and performance of Bird by Juicy Couture in 2009

Men’s Buyer

Mexx USA
09.2005 - 03.2006
  • Responsible for buying and merchandising Men’s Apparel for 11 stores with annual sales of $5m
  • Worked with the design and production team abroad to develop a US exclusive assortment to fulfill the needs of the American client, ultimately representing 60% of US assortment

Senior Assistant Buyer

Bloomingdale's
09.2002 - 03.2004
  • Responsible for contemporary sleepwear department including: open-to-buy, assortment decisions, monthly forecasting and negotiating markdown allowance

Education

Bachelor of Science - Retail Management

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Skills

  • Proficient in: Microsoft Office, Shopify, Slack, FulfilIO, Asana, AirTable, Joor, Nuorder, Faire, Canva and EDI
  • Sales Strategy Development
  • Strategic Negotiations
  • Vendor Relationships
  • Merchandising Strategies

Timeline

Director of Sales

Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry
01.2018 - Current

Senior Account Executive/Merchandiser

BAUBLEBAR
11.2014 - 03.2017

Ecommerce Senior Merchandiser

ANN INC
11.2010 - 11.2014

Buyer

Liz Claiborne Inc, Juicy Couture
03.2006 - 10.2010

Men’s Buyer

Mexx USA
09.2005 - 03.2006

Senior Assistant Buyer

Bloomingdale's
09.2002 - 03.2004

Bachelor of Science - Retail Management

Syracuse University
Rissa Perkiel