Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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SAMANTHA POTJEAU

Algonquin,IL

Summary

Results-driven category management professional with strong background in developing and implementing successful strategies. Highly skilled in market analysis, vendor negotiations, and inventory management. Known for fostering team collaboration and adapting to changing needs to achieve business objectives. Proven track record of optimizing product assortments and driving revenue growth.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

CATEGORY MANAGER, SEASONAL

Walgreen Co.
02.2020 - 10.2024
  • Managed over $450M in annual sales, achieving +4% growth in select categories despite broader economic challenges.
  • Fostered strong relationship with key stakeholders, enhancing collaboration and communication across departments of Planning, Supply Chain, Owned Brands, Marketing, Global Sourcing, Space, and Insights.
  • Enhanced supplier relationships through regular communication and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
  • Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
  • Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
  • Monitored industry trends to identify new business opportunities and emerging product categories for expansion.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop promotional campaigns that effectively increased category awareness and sales growth.
  • Mentored junior team members in category management best practices, contributing to a high-performing and collaborative work environment.
  • Established strong rapport with suppliers, leading to favorable contract terms and better access to exclusive products or promotions.

ASSOCIATE CATEGORY MANAGER, GENERAL MERCHANDISE

Walgreen Co.
09.2018 - 01.2020
  • Served as point person for the business during the Category Manager's vacancy.
  • Demonstrated strong leadership by training and onboarding the new Merchandise Assistant.
  • Led Tier 3 Joint Business Partner (JBP) supplier negotiations resulting in $490K of supplier funding for FY19.
  • Supported the Category Manager through TV Promo discussions in preparing an analysis and documentation to justify incremental funding requests.
  • Achieved additional cost savings by negotiating with suppliers on cost increases related to tariffs.
  • Collaborated with the Pricing and Owned Brand teams to analyze retail models, maximizing sales and profit while minimizing risk to the categories.

ASSOCIATE CATEGORY MANAGER, SEASONAL

Walgreen Co.
10.2016 - 08.2018
  • Achieved a +3.1% comparable sales growth in Gift Cards for FY17 leveraging preferred partner brands to fund promotions and displays.
  • Exceeded sales budget for TV Promo in FY17 by +3.2% and profit budget by +6.7% by capitalizing on key trends within the Beauty and Housewares categories.
  • Analyzed and evaluated item performance by store format to ensure optimal assortment mix for each seasonal time period.
  • Led Tier 3 Joint Business Partner (JBP) negotiations and played a key role in preparing for Tier 2 alongside the Category Manager.
  • Evaluated viability of business and products that resulted in an incremental $1M of supplier funding.
  • Established trusted vendor relationships with suppliers by maintaining flexibility and collaboration through daily communication.

MERCHANDISE MANAGER, FRANCHISE INTERNATIONAL

Claire’s Inc.
03.2016 - 09.2016
  • Partnered with Middle East franchise to assort appropriate line of product for their market. Continually worked to refine product range as trends and strategies shift throughout the business.
  • Oversaw inventory management and allocation strategy to ensure proper stock levels were maintained.
  • Assisted Finance with monitoring invoice file accuracy reflects current shipments, credits and invoice terms.
  • Developed the Assistant Buyer and Allocator roles by establishing individual performance objectives for the year.
  • Promoted an open-door policy to facilitate communication and ensure the team remained aligned with individual, division and company goals.

BUYER, FRANCHISE INTERNATIONAL

Claire’s Inc.
02.2015 - 02.2016
  • Generated $2M in revenue against a plan of $425K in 2015 with the new South Africa franchise partner.
  • Led weekly merchandising discussions and managed open-to-buy to effectively allocate budgets for standalone and shop-in-shop setups across 80 stores.
  • Oversaw product assortments across franchise partners of Romania, Sweden, Greece and South Africa. Developed strong business relationships with each partner to support growth by analyzing weekly performance results and evaluating competitive landscapes.
  • Ensured product standards met the requirements for Claire's franchisees, communicating legal, testing, and quality control requirements to vendors and global buying teams.
  • Responsible for developing and collaborating with individual direct report on tasks, setting goals, and managing expectations to foster growth.

ASSOCIATE BUYER, BEAUTY

Claire’s Inc.
10.2013 - 01.2015
  • Achieved positive growth of +11.6% in average store sales, reversing a -6.7% decline from Spring '14 for in total cosmetics.
  • Managed margin, average unit retail (AUR), and maintained steady inventory levels for the younger beauty customer, resulting in an additional $1.2M generated over plan.
  • Sourced and developed new products aligned with company strategies, strengthening the vendor base in key categories such as bath and body and candy cosmetics.
  • Collaborated with Buyer and Planner to develop business plan and implement pricing and promotional strategies and new packaging concepts.
  • Managed the store visit and competitive shopping calendar for the department to ensure layout accuracy.

ASSOCIATE BUYER, FASHION & PARTY JEWELRY

Claire’s Inc.
11.2011 - 09.2013
  • Oversaw development, pricing, placement and presentation within the dressy lifestyle category.
  • Ensure consistency between financial plans and trends in order to achieve sales and margin goals.
  • Analyzed, prepared, and presented weekly, monthly and annual business reports to upper management and provided an in-depth overview of department.
  • Researched and analyzed competitor’s products to compare price tiers and styles between assortments.
  • Evaluated domestic and international markets to quickly adapt product to changing trend developments.

ASSISTANT BUYER, HANDBAGS & FASHION ACCESSORIES

Claire’s Inc.
01.2008 - 10.2011
  • Oversaw the complete merchandise assortment of small leather goods.
  • Worked with product development to design a cohesive fashion story for each seasonal buying trip
  • Ensured continuity and vision of product
  • Developed and implemented Assistant Buyer Training program for new hires by standardizing processes across divisions to ensure full understanding of everyday responsibilities
  • Actively participated on the E-Commerce committee. Served as a liaison between the committee and merchandising teams, collaborating to enhance online assortment within the handbag and fashion accessory departments.

Education

Masters of Business Administration -

Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL
12.2011

Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising with Honors

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL
12.2007

Skills

  • Pricing Strategies
  • Trend knowledge
  • Product Management
  • Process Development
  • Category innovation
  • Global sourcing
  • Team Leadership
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Supplier Relationship Management
  • Category development

Timeline

CATEGORY MANAGER, SEASONAL

Walgreen Co.
02.2020 - 10.2024

ASSOCIATE CATEGORY MANAGER, GENERAL MERCHANDISE

Walgreen Co.
09.2018 - 01.2020

ASSOCIATE CATEGORY MANAGER, SEASONAL

Walgreen Co.
10.2016 - 08.2018

MERCHANDISE MANAGER, FRANCHISE INTERNATIONAL

Claire’s Inc.
03.2016 - 09.2016

BUYER, FRANCHISE INTERNATIONAL

Claire’s Inc.
02.2015 - 02.2016

ASSOCIATE BUYER, BEAUTY

Claire’s Inc.
10.2013 - 01.2015

ASSOCIATE BUYER, FASHION & PARTY JEWELRY

Claire’s Inc.
11.2011 - 09.2013

ASSISTANT BUYER, HANDBAGS & FASHION ACCESSORIES

Claire’s Inc.
01.2008 - 10.2011

Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising with Honors

Western Illinois University

Masters of Business Administration -

Northern Illinois University

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