Tara Crane
Summary
Accomplished merchandiser with extensive experience in planning and executing seasonal product lines that achieve profitability targets and KPIs. Expertise in fashion and trend identification, coupled with effective team mentoring to enhance performance. Proven ability to meet category objectives through strong communication, prioritization, and analytical skills. Highly organized, with a keen attention to detail, while managing multiple go-to-market initiatives.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
SENIOR MANAGER OF DTC BUYING AND MERCHANDISING
STANCE
San Clemente
01.2022 - Current
- Managed the execution of multiple seasons at once while hitting on-time go-to-market deliverables.
- Delivered post-season reports on product sales trends to guide future strategies on category growth, and the competitive landscape.
- Served as a liaison between Global Product, Wholesale, and other key teams.
- Collaborated with merchandising team to influence product strategy and assortment planning.
- Developed project schedules to establish critical dates for marketing campaigns and product launches.
- Captured missed demand signals to refine forecasts and minimize lost opportunities.
- Proposed markdown strategies with Inventory Planning Manager to optimize product profitability and margins.
- Supported targets for seasonal sales, receipts, margins, and style-color counts.
DTC RETAIL BUYER: Men's, Boy's & Toddler Apparel
VANS - A VF COMPANY
Costa Mesa
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Built quarterly product strategies for North America that maximized sales, margin and inventory turn while delivering a best-in-class DTC experience for consumers
- Drove strategic execution for buying, forecasting, product life-cycle management, recap analysis and storytelling across both full-price and outlet channels with an annual revenue of $185M
- Grew the Men's Apparel business +17% over the last 2 years with a focus on must win categories that drive 80% of the total apparel sales
- Developed and nurtured strong cross functional partnerships such as NORA Merchandising, Global Design, Visuals, and eCommerce that drove the business forward through an OMNI point of view
- Lead with a strong manager presence with a high level of communication, guidance, and trustworthiness
- Participated in Global line reviews and seasonal briefs that highlighted competitor insights, market analysis and emerging trends through the lens of the DTC consumer
DTC BUYER: Men's Accessories
TILLYS
Irvine
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Managed the Department through assortment buy plans, building of quarterly buy in strategies while delivering against financial targets at an omni-channel level
- Drove seasonal product strategies by driving SKU counts and partnering with cross functional teams such as Planning and Allocation
- Developed and trained team through guidance on analytical decision making and creative problem solving
- Collaborated with the Visual team and Store Operations on new store openings, optimization of fixtures, and lead new brand and product mix activations
- Accurately evaluated and analyzed product performance to determine appropriate actions to optimize opportunities and minimize risk
Training & Information Specialist
NORDSTROM RACK
Seattle
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Reporting to Manager of Training & Information, selected to provide essential knowledge training to a team of 40+ Buying professionals to leverage a new reporting system that enhanced communication of financial data, cost plans and performance to business leaders
Buy Planner: Men's Clothing
NORDSTROM RACK
Seattle
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Analyzed and managed content and balance of inventory levels through an understanding of product and customer needs, trends based on geographic market, and adjustments to ensure profitability
- Built strategic partnerships with suppliers resulting in enhanced ability to negotiate competitive market pricing; as an Off-Price retailer, achieved a sales volume of $80M (full MSRP value of $160M)
- Drove positive sales performance reaching 6.8% above target through creation of seasonal and regional assortment plans that guarantee optimal inventory investment, increase merchandise flow, and reduce markdowns
- Produced sales to new and non-comp doors by driving receipts to a weekly budget, which provided a flow of new merchandise while maintaining ideal stock levels
- Led weekly business review meetings with executives and upper management, providing ideas and recommendations that positively affected sales
DTC Buyer - Men's Accessories
ZUMIEZ
Seattle
01.2011 - 01.2014
Senior Assistant Buyer
BILLABONG
Irvine
01.2008 - 01.2011
Education
Associate of Arts - Merchandise Marketing
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Los Angeles, CA06-2006
Merchandise Marketing
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZSkills
- DTC merchandise and planning
- Apparel expertise
- Excel proficiency
- Communication skills
- Product line management
- Team leadership
- Business acumen
- Self-motivation
Timeline
SENIOR MANAGER OF DTC BUYING AND MERCHANDISING
STANCE
01.2022 - Current
DTC RETAIL BUYER: Men's, Boy's & Toddler Apparel
VANS - A VF COMPANY
01.2018 - 01.2022
DTC BUYER: Men's Accessories
TILLYS
01.2017 - 01.2018
Training & Information Specialist
NORDSTROM RACK
01.2015 - 01.2016
Buy Planner: Men's Clothing
NORDSTROM RACK
01.2014 - 01.2015
DTC Buyer - Men's Accessories
ZUMIEZ
01.2011 - 01.2014
Senior Assistant Buyer
BILLABONG
01.2008 - 01.2011
Associate of Arts - Merchandise Marketing
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Merchandise Marketing
Northern Arizona University