Susan Reding
Aledo,Texas
Summary
With over 30 years of extensive experience in management, purchasing, product development, planning, and allocation, I excel in various areas. Specialized in email campaigns, product marketing, marketing strategy, customer segmentation, and catalog circulation for the over 13 years. Additionally, spent 18 years in sales and account management with strong negotiation skills for purchasing and contract negotiations. Demonstrated excellent communication skills throughout career with extensive domestic and international travel. Proficient in computer software operations including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Photoshop. Results-driven business leader with a proven track record in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and driving growth. Prioritize team collaboration and adaptability to changing needs while consistently delivering measurable results. Expertise extends to financial oversight, project management, and talent development. Renowned for exceptional communication skills and the ability to inspire and motivate teams to exceed goals. Confident in ability to contribute significantly to any organization.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
VP of Home Décor
Tenex Corp
06.2018 - 10.2024
- Responsible for sales, developing line assortments for the Home Décor division
- Build and lead a design team, a catalog designer, sourcing agent and NetSuite data entry teams
- Develop product line assortments in Wall Décor, Tabletop Décor, Functional Décor, Textiles, Floor Décor
- Source all product development in China and India
- Develop Trends for all seasons
- Sales calls for major US and Canadian in mass, dollar, and specialty retailers
- Travel to domestic and international markets for products and trend development
Director of Sales and Merchandising
Williamson Home
04.2016 - 05.2018
- Responsible for growing sales and developing line assortments for the St Louis office of Williamson Home
- Lead the design team, category managers, catalog merchandisers and sales teams in the Mass, Dollar and Specialty channels
- Lead a design team of 6 in trends and product design for seasonal and everyday products
- Worked with 2 Category Managers in developing product assortments at the right price points for mass, dollar, and strategy channels
- Guided catalog merchandisers on building custom presentations for each customer
- Met with customers to present line in person and thru PDF email presentations
- Developed exclusive product for clients based on their trend direction
- Followed up on sale calls, price challenges, packaging, and delivery information
- Travel to domestic markets and China factory trips and Canton market
Buyer/Wall Decor
At Home
10.2014 - 04.2016
- Responsible for $85M in volume for the Wall Décor department
- Lead a team of 3 in strategic plans, financial plans, marketing, and product development
- Develop a 'Better' mix of Gallery Texture and Wood/Resin artwork at increased margins
- Developed exclusive product for At Home in all categories of wall art and mirrors
- Supported with improved packaging to the customer
- Implemented a 'Buy Plan' by classification for New/Reorder and Good/Better
- Renegotiated cost on 'Value Canvas' to increase margin by 2%
- Responsible for planning financial plans for all classifications
- Prepare all quarterly reviews that are presented to Senior Management
- Develop quarterly trends for end cap presentations
- Manage a team of 3
- Work on cross-functional teams in company development of systems and processes
General Manager/Senior Merchant
Harper Direct, LLC
03.2011 - 06.2014
- Provide strategic leadership in the development of RSH and Touchstone catalog home decor brands
- Guide the development of the overall leadership structure and strategic plans; create goals and plans for quality and financial management for each brand
- Managed all product selection and purchasing for both catalogs
- Categories included: Home Accessories, Wall Decor, Furniture, Lighting, Tabletop, Decorative Garden, Seasonal and Gifts
- Ensure adherence to budgets and performance standards related to sales, margin, and operating expense by facilitating monthly reviews and identifying areas for improvements
- Track the performance of each category via sales, profit and returns analysis to develop ongoing product strategies
- Drove email campaigns on a weekly basis, customers segments, brand management, developed customer surveys and recommended catalog circulation plans
- Paginate catalog spreads in accordance with production timelines; provide direction and creative suggestions on branding of RSH and Touchstone both internally and externally
- Approve catalog merchandise, pagination plan and creative layouts
Vice President Merchandising
Always at Market
09.2001 - 03.2011
- Manage all sales, product development and creative departments with annual sales of $15 million
- Direct a staff of 16 individuals
- Member of the executive committee for strategic planning and implementation of company objectives
- Interface with accounting on all budgets and payables on a weekly basis
- Work closely with customer service and shipping departments to satisfy customer needs daily
- Plan annual sales and margin by week by site by category
- Developed product for 6 home decor and 16 watch brands
- Planned supply chain with manufactures to maximize sales
- Developed off price supplier sourcing for best deals in all home and jewelry/watch categories
- Developed daily emails and product marketing strategies to drive sales and brand awareness for each site
- Developed web sites/logs for multiple watch and jewelry brands
- Sign off on all purchasing and delivery of all product categories
- Direct the creative team in sku build, web site development and promotional banners
- Managed 20 web sites
- Grew sales from $25k a week to $400k a week
Divisional Merchandise Manager
The Bombay Company
08.1998 - 05.2001
- Manage the Wall Décor, Candles and Scents, Accessories, and Textiles areas of the company with annual sales of $100 million
- Work closely with a team of Buyers, Designers and Planners on trend and product development
- Interface with Visual and Marketing on all aspects of product selection and layout for stores, catalogs, mailers, magazine campaigns and Internet
- Grew the Candles and Scents, Accessories, and Textiles business areas to a 105% increase over Last Year, accounting for 50% of the company’s growth for 1999
- Selected for committees to revamp Bombay’s merchandise and planning systems for the year 2000 and beyond
- Extensive Europe and Asian market exposure and contact base
Senior Buyer
Tuesday Morning
06.1992 - 07.1998
- Responsible for all aspects of buying; from product selection to negotiating delivery, terms, distribution to all stores, and advertising while maximizing profit margins
- Participated in the company growth to 333 stores, with an annual sales volume of $360.0 million
- Implemented European Import program within Bath & Body, Women’s Gifts and Children’s Furniture
- Increased Children’s business by 108% in 1994
- Successfully planned and implemented a Personal Fragrance advertisement campaign resulting in $1 million in sales within 4 hours
Executive Director of Merchandising
Claire’s Stores International
08.1987 - 05.1992
- Supervised a Buying Staff of 29 (Buyers, Assistant Buyers and Clericals), with full responsibility for planning and implementing sales and merchandising assortments
- Extensively involved with product development, pricing, inventory planning and the identification of promotional strategies
- Worked with key personnel in the areas of Planning and Distribution, and Marketing and Visual daily
- Signed off on all Purchase Orders
- Implemented extensive Far East programs within each category of business
- Prepared Financial Plans for over 1000 stores with an annual sales volume of $270 million
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree- B.A. - Marketing
University of Texas
Arlington, Texas01.1983
Skills
- Organizational Development
- Operations Management Communications
- Digital Transformation
- Strategic Planning
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Business Development
- Revenue Generation
- International business
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Analytical and Critical Thinker
- Negotiation
- Corporate Communications
Phone
Cell, (817) 925-4247
Timeline
VP of Home Décor
Tenex Corp
06.2018 - 10.2024
Director of Sales and Merchandising
Williamson Home
04.2016 - 05.2018
Buyer/Wall Decor
At Home
10.2014 - 04.2016
General Manager/Senior Merchant
Harper Direct, LLC
03.2011 - 06.2014
Vice President Merchandising
Always at Market
09.2001 - 03.2011
Divisional Merchandise Manager
The Bombay Company
08.1998 - 05.2001
Senior Buyer
Tuesday Morning
06.1992 - 07.1998
Executive Director of Merchandising
Claire’s Stores International
08.1987 - 05.1992
Bachelor of Arts Degree- B.A. - Marketing
University of Texas
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