Stephen L. Joiner
Hickory,NC
Summary
Team player with strong organizational skills. Builds relationships to motivate others and mentor co-workers. Calm personality under stressful conditions with the ability to analyze a situation, to achieve a desired result .
Career with Bernhardt Furniture Company, starting as Director of Merchandising - Occasional and advancing to Senior Director of Merchandising - Casegoods, with varied responsibilities .
Part of merchandising team that went through multiple years of growth and profitability, to become a leader in better, design driven furniture .
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of Merchandising - Casegoods
Bernhardt Furniture Company
03.1995 - 05.2023
- Teamed with freelance furniture designers to bring successful products to market.
- In addition to product responsibilities , also managed in-house design / engineering department, and showroom design / display team.
- Influenced cross-functional teams for better collaboration and execution of merchandising initiatives in product development both in the US and Asia .
- Fostered positive work environment for all employees, and being a motivator in both the US and Asia .
- Established successful vendor relationships to negotiate pricing
- Increased sales and profitability by developing and implementing strategic merchandising plans.
- Partnered with supply chain teams to optimize logistics processes, ensuring timely delivery of products at optimal costs.
- Improved product assortment by conducting market research and identifying trends.
Buyer - Occasional Furniture
Macy's New York
01.1993 - 03.1995
- Developed assortment and implemented buying strategies to increase sales and profitability for major department store
Store Coordinator - Furniture
Macy's New York
01.1992 - 12.1992
- Conduit between buying line and store line, ensuring floor plans and sales promotions were being executed among multiple stores, and also provided consultation with each buyer .
Buyer - Upholstered Furniture
Macy's South
01.1989 - 01.1992
- Started furniture career after being promoted from store line position, even with no prior furniture experience. Analyzed business and developed assortment while learning the furniture business from professionals.
Education
MBA - Marketing
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL05.1981
Bachelor of Science - Advertising
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL05.1979
Skills
- Ability to recognize good design
- Translate needs in finish development
- Develop Product Assortment
- Team Leadership
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Vendor Sourcing
- Supplier Relations
- Asia travel experience (over 100 times)
Timeline
Senior Director of Merchandising - Casegoods
Bernhardt Furniture Company
03.1995 - 05.2023
Buyer - Occasional Furniture
Macy's New York
01.1993 - 03.1995
Store Coordinator - Furniture
Macy's New York
01.1992 - 12.1992
Buyer - Upholstered Furniture
Macy's South
01.1989 - 01.1992
MBA - Marketing
Eastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science - Advertising
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
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