Stephanie Anderson
Harrison,OH
Summary
Experienced and dedicated produce industry professional with a strong track record of consistently meeting company goals through the implementation of organized and efficient practices. Possessing 10 years of valuable experience, adept at working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to effectively enhance the organization.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Category Manager
The Kroger Co.
09.2023 - Current
- Mentored junior team members, fostering professional development and enhancing overall team performance.
- Contributed to increased market share through effective implementation of merchandising strategies.
- Reduced out-of-stock occurrences by maintaining close communication with supply chain partners around lead times and order quantities.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to plan and execute successful ads.
- Managed vendor contracts, ensuring adherence to terms while negotiating for the company.
- Identified underperforming products and implemented strategies to improve their performance or transition them out of the assortment.
- Increased category sales by implementing strategic pricing and promotional plans.
- Optimized product assortment by regularly reviewing sales performance and making data-driven decisions on SKU additions or discontinuations.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, leading to better product availability and improved negotiation power.
- Partnered with buyers to develop category-appropriate order frequency.
- Fostered positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating collaboratively with customers.
- Reduced business risk by improving contract coverage for suppliers.
- Incorporated suggested changes to layouts and promotions to drive sales.
Produce Commodity Buyer
The Kroger Co.
01.2017 - 09.2023
- Managed a diverse portfolio of commodities.
- Identified, researched and assessed quality of potential vendors.
- Implemented cost reduction products, achieving significant savings.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams for successful new product introductions.
- Improved inventory turns with effective demand planning and supplier collaboration practices.
- Coordinated closely with procurement teams to ensure accurate forecasting for ad business, avoiding stockouts or excess inventory situations.
- Reduced lead times for key commodities by establishing strong relationships with suppliers.
- Optimized supplier base by evaluating vendor performance metrics.
- Placed orders for merchandise consistent with quality, quantity and other specification requirements.
- Researched and identified new suppliers and vendors.
- Established relationships with vendors to secure competitive pricing and discounts.
Produce Replenishment Buyer
The Kroger Co.
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Reduced stockouts by closely monitoring inventory levels and adjusting order quantities accordingly.
- Implemented strategic practices to successfully execute ad items, major promotional items, or high-moving holiday items.
- Communicated with distribution centers to ensure operational efficiencies and product rotations.
- Reviewed weather conditions that may impact product availability.
- Stayed informed on industry trends and best practices, continuously seeking opportunities for professional growth and development in the replenishment buyer role.
- Analyzed sales trends to anticipate seasonal fluctuations in demand, allowing for proactive adjustments in replenishment activities.
- Optimized inventory turnover rates by regularly reviewing product performance data and adjusting order quantities as needed.
- Improved inventory management by accurately forecasting product needs and placing timely orders.
- Collaborated with internal departments to better understand needs and determine purchasing requirements.
- Maintained key item stock levels and wrote or expedited purchase orders.
- Managed and maintained purchase orders.
- Collaborated with commodity teams to identify and fulfill division needs.
Commodity ASP
The Kroger Co.
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Provided clerical and administrative support and assistance to all roles in category management to achieve overall financial and strategic goals.
- Managed day-to-day communication with divisions and suppliers for non-urgent questions, follow-up, and administrative information at the discretion of the category manager; escalated to higher levels if decision-making is needed.
- Responsible for adjusting POs, researching and resolving receiving discrepancies.
- Identified and resolved day-to-day issues (UPC, pricing, item set-up) efficiently; knew the appropriate time to include rest of category management team.
- Provided data entry and proofreading support.
Education
B.S., Business Administration -
College of Mount Saint Joseph
01.2005
High School Diploma -
McAuley High School
05.2001
Skills
- Data-driven decision-making
- Supplier negotiation and contracts
- Assortment optimization
- Merchandising and pricing strategies
- Demand forecasting and promotional planning
- Performance tracking
- Category development
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Reliability
- Effective communication
Timeline
Assistant Category Manager
The Kroger Co.
09.2023 - Current
Produce Commodity Buyer
The Kroger Co.
01.2017 - 09.2023
Produce Replenishment Buyer
The Kroger Co.
01.2016 - 01.2017
Commodity ASP
The Kroger Co.
01.2014 - 01.2016
B.S., Business Administration -
College of Mount Saint Joseph
High School Diploma -
McAuley High School