Sophia Poster
New York,NY
Summary
Experienced buyer with over 7 years in retail, specializing in strategic assortment planning, sales growth, and vendor negotiations. Proven track record in maximizing department sales, mentoring team members, and leading strategic initiatives. Strong analytical skills and excellent communication abilities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Buyer
Ross Stores
01.2018 - Current
- Ladies Swim & Outerwear
- Maximized department sales resulting in sales growth of 44% in $50m+ business.
- Analyzed sell through and turn data to identify and prioritize growth areas, using conclusions to build strategic assortment plans based on best performing attributes
- Built strong relationships with key vendors ensuring first offer of closeouts and successful cost negotiations
- Mentored & promoted assistant buyer, providing daily coaching and structured feedback to promote continual learning
- Lead strategy team initiatives, apart of early creation with team, guided division through implementation of new tools, and efficiencies
- Researched trends and generated business leads at industry trade shows resulting in new labels in assortment
- Collaborated with Planning and Allocation teams ensuring correct regional product flow with the seasonality of the area
Associate Buyer
Ross Stores
08.2021 - 03.2023
- Moderate Non-Denim, Jackets & Skirts
- Independently ran, planned and grew Jacket and Skirt categories exponentially resulting in comps up to 100%
- Managed full department during multiple buyer maternity absences
- Leveraged strong analytical skills to evaluate sales data, driving better-informed buying decisions that maximized sales
- Determined price value of goods by evaluating competitive pricing, sales data, and global strategies
- Collaborated cross functionally with Planning, Allocation, and other specialized teams to achieve objectives
- Proactively partnered with colleagues to leverage increased purchasing power
- Responsible for total spend ensuring available liquidity for opportunistic buys
Assistant Buyer II
Ross Stores
08.2019 - 08.2021
- Missy Better & Branded Knits, Wovens, Jackets
- Managed product development from trend concept to production to delivery in stores
- Created and implemented development tracker to ensure smooth flow transition of information from the development team to buying metrics
- Worked directly with colleagues in China to develop and style apparel
- Maintained financial recaps to report estimated margins to leadership
- Utilized advanced Excel skills to create pivot tools for the entire Ladies Division to further sales analysis by aggregating data at different hierarchy levels then previously available
- Missy Moderate Woven Tops
- Reported directly to VP of Moderate tops
- Responsible for open to buy, mitigating assortment risk, and course corrections to avoid liabilities
- Implemented hot door strategy to maximize sales with product specific to that region resulting in 20% sales growth
Assistant Buyer I
Ross Stores
06.2018 - 08.2019
- Missy Branded Denim
- Provided key analysis of business data and reporting, including the monitoring of regional merchandise reports, Open-To-Buy, stock analysis and other ad hoc reports as needed
- Shopped competitive retailers to ensure right product mix and price values are maintained
- Ensured timely delivery of merchandise through merchant teams, and external vendors
- Managed monthly markdowns
- Assisted in developing seasonal buying plans, ensuring optimal merchandise assortment to meet customer demands.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of Delaware-Alfred Lerner College of Business And Economics
Newark, DE05.2018
Skills
- Purchase order management
- Multi-tasking strength
- Relationship building
- Materials sourcing
- Supplier relationship management
- Negotiation
- Strategic planning
- Retail merchandise buying
- Microsoft Excel
Timeline
Associate Buyer
Ross Stores
08.2021 - 03.2023
Assistant Buyer II
Ross Stores
08.2019 - 08.2021
Assistant Buyer I
Ross Stores
06.2018 - 08.2019
Buyer
Ross Stores
01.2018 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of Delaware-Alfred Lerner College of Business And Economics
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