Mandy Tobin
MERRITT ISLAND
Summary
Accomplished and forward-thinking Product Developer with 20 years of retail experience in both hardlines and softline businesses. Looking to become part of a well-established and respected brand with future growth opportunities. Great at adapting to new environments and staying on top of current trends. Strong work ethic and ability to work with vendors and coworkers in a pleasant and professional manner.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandise Product Developer
Universal Studios
02.2023 - Current
- Currently managing the Souvenir Category for the Nintendo team and other high profile, intellectual properties. Collaborating on multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to established budgets.
- Skilled at building strong relationships with vendors and negotiating better pricing.
- Staying up to date on new market trends, proactively adjusting buying strategies to stay competitive.
- Mentor Associate Developer, developing their skills and knowledge in retail purchasing processes.
Product Development Manager
Hard Rock International
02.2019 - 02.2023
- Hired as an independent contractor to manage and increase sales for the pin category and the general souvenir business. Responsible for the end-to-end buy strategy from assortment slot planning, to buy plan, artwork, item set up, initial purchase order to shipping of each item managed. Oversaw development of more than 1000 individual pins styles each year.
- Helped with strategizing and implementing new 2022 pin strategy to cut overall inventory levels, produce faster product turns, and negotiate better cost of sales to see better net profit.
- Developed successful items outside of the pin category such as magnets, key chains, bottle openers, lanyards, and ornaments that exceeded planned sales goals and were adapted into the core global assortment for cafes, hotels, casinos, and franchise.
- Promoted to full time status in June of 2022 to help manage and develop into categories such as; Souvenirs, Fashion Accessories, Jewelry, Tech Accessories, and Bags.
- Partner with global operations managers and online product team on all upcoming item launches to ensure all important product information guides and sales tools are presented for a seamless product launch.
Product Developer
Lifestyle Brands, LLC
09.2017 - 02.2019
- Hired to support and create a global brand merchandise strategy for Margaritaville hotels, resorts, stores, and communities.
- Collaborated with manufacturers to create product lines for clients in both softlines and hardline categories with a fast turn around time for the Margaritaville properties.
- Responsible for creating set up costing form, item sku set up, purchase order creation, organizing and updating client WIP reports, and sample approval.
- Collaborated with Senior Merchandise Developer to create an annual product assortment catalog to present to a diverse audience of external partners and business owners to bring into their seasonal assortment.
Product Developer
Hard Rock International
01.2011 - 09.2017
- Developed innovative globally adaptive product for Hardlines and Softlines categories, sold in over 200 unique locations globally (cafe, hotel, casino, online, franchise).
- Partnered with domestic and international vendor partners to source and develop cross-category product: Pins, Drinkware, Plush, Toys, Apparel, Tech, General Souvenirs, Kitchenware, and Music.
- Managed approval of franchise samples and art work for all categories in charge of. Worked closely with franchise partners to make sure the replicating of product was up to brand standard.
- Worked in concert with Business Affairs and Marketing to insure adherence to Brand guidelines as well as making sure designs did not violate any public domain for both franchise and corporate locations.
- Partnered with planning to maximize sales and profitability through merchandising strategy, analysis, and continuous process improvement across categories.
- Directly managed Pin Category for Hard Rock International which included development on thousand plus pin styles annually.
- Developed product for an average of 30 pin events a year. Partnered with cafe and hotel managers and managed all hardline product for events (pins, glassware, accessories) and any legal agreements for co- branded event items.
- Improved and streamlined the pin approval process resulting in better work flow, order management, and overall look of the category increasing and reaching net sales goals each year.
Assistant Buyer
Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex
09.2008 - 01.2011
- Assisted in purchasing, sourcing, product development, and visual merchandising for 8 stores, two of which are at the Orlando Airport.
- Developed and bought all of the hard goods category for Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex stores.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and guaranteed timely delivery of merchandise through consistent communication with distribution centers and vendors for shuttle launches. Multi-tasking and fast reaction time were needed with the ever changing schedule of the space launches that pulled in huge crowds.
- Maintained the KSC retail website by photographing new items, creating online descriptions, and uploading new items to the site each week.
- Partnered with KSC retail operations team when needed as a manager on duty, retail store manager, and during launches managed the Saturn V store.
Product Development Manager
Hard Rock Park
04.2007 - 08.2008
- Created and purchased merchandise for theme park with over 30,000 square feet of retail space over a span of eight stores with tight deadlines.
- Developed all merchandise pertaining to hard good categories such as pins, drinkware, general souvenirs, music accessories, plush, and toys.
- Negotiated with vendors and manufacturers on product pricing, services, and scheduled shipping windows to meet park opening date.
- Launched successful Pin Trading program with limited edition pin sets, puzzle sets, lanyards, pin accessories, and sought after pin series that had tremendous sell through.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC05.2001
Skills
- Mi9
- Micros
- Power Point
- Stars Reporting
- Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel)
- Full Circle
- JDA
Accomplishments
Product Development, Global Brand Adaption, Assortment Planning, Supply Chain Management, Open To Buy, Sales Analysis, Research, Forecasting, Vendor Management, Solution Oriented.
Timeline
Merchandise Product Developer
Universal Studios
02.2023 - Current
Product Development Manager
Hard Rock International
02.2019 - 02.2023
Product Developer
Lifestyle Brands, LLC
09.2017 - 02.2019
Product Developer
Hard Rock International
01.2011 - 09.2017
Assistant Buyer
Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex
09.2008 - 01.2011
Product Development Manager
Hard Rock Park
04.2007 - 08.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Coastal Carolina University