Tara Crane
Summary
Merchandising and product strategy leader with 15+ years of experience driving profitable growth across DTC, wholesale, and omni-channel retail. I specialize in building data-driven assortments, optimizing pricing and inventory strategies, and translating insights into compelling product stories that align brand vision with commercial results. Known for a strong analytical mindset and collaborative leadership style, I partner cross-functionally to deliver on-time execution from concept through launch, while improving margin, inventory efficiency, and customer experience. I thrive at the intersection of product, data, and creativity—bringing clarity, focus, and momentum to complex businesses.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager of DTC Buying and Merchandising
STANCE
San Clemente
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Built seasonal product assortments for Retail and eCommerce using data-driven insights to craft compelling product stories that supported merchandising and commercial goals
- Drove assortment optimization by participating in every stage of line reviews, ensuring edits and feedback aligned with seasonal strategy and customer demand
- Partnered on go-to-market roadmap, defining critical milestones to drive on-time execution from concept through launch
- Led pricing strategies across DTC and Wholesale channels, delivering margin optimization and cohesive brand pricing architecture
- Drove seasonal buy review process, partnering cross-functionally to align on brand vision, financial targets and assortment direction
- Owned weekly eCommerce meetings, delivering insights and recommendations that shaped on-site merchandising and email marketing decisions
- Reduced days inventory (DII) from 200+ days to 98 days through strategic inventory planning, wholesale partnership and disciplined margin management
- Led category growth by influencing assortment direction and leveraging sell-through data to optimize buys
Buyer North America - Men's, Boy's and Toddler Apparel
VANS - A VF COMPANY
Costa Mesa
01.2018 - 01.2022
- 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
- Built quarterly product strategies for North America that maximized sales, margin and inventory turn while delivering a best-in-class DTC experience for consumers
- 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
- Participated in Global line reviews and seasonal briefs that highlights competitor insights, market analysis and emerging trends through the lens of the DTC consumer
Buyer - Retail and eCommerce
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
- Developed and trained team through guidance on analytical decision making and creative problem solving
- Owned Private Label product strategy and managed vendor relationships to drive category growth
Training & Information Specialist
NORDSTROM RACK
Seattle
01.2015 - 01.2016
- 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
NORDSTROM RACK
Seattle
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Built strategic partnerships with vendors 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
Buyer - Men's Accessories
ZUMIEZ
Seattle
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Developed and executed merchandising strategies as multi-channel Buyer for 515 brick and mortar locations, E-Commerce and E-Commerce outlet site, and direct manager of $56M business and supervisor of Junior Buyer managing an additional $12M
- Analyzed merchandise performance to maximize sales revenue through optimal and timely allocation of product availability; executed a regionalized assortment plan for 'back to school' merchandise
- Initiated first regionalized assortment plan for a high-volume category driving a 30% compensation increase over previous season
- Collaborated with Private Label on a down-trending category through developing, costing and merchandising, which delivered a 40% increase over previous year
Senior Assistant Buyer
BILLABONG
Irvine
01.2008 - 01.2011
Education
Associate of Arts - Merchandise Marketing
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Los Angeles, CA01.2006
Coursework toward B.A. - Merchandise Marketing
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ01.2004
Skills
- Merchandising
- Product Strategy
- Inventory Management
- Trend Forecasting
- Assortment Building
- Pricing Strategy
- Sales Analysis & Reporting
- Project Management Tools
Timeline
Senior Manager of DTC Buying and Merchandising
STANCE
01.2022 - 01.2025
Buyer North America - Men's, Boy's and Toddler Apparel
VANS - A VF COMPANY
01.2018 - 01.2022
Buyer - Retail and eCommerce
TILLYS
01.2017 - 01.2018
Training & Information Specialist
NORDSTROM RACK
01.2015 - 01.2016
Buy Planner
NORDSTROM RACK
01.2014 - 01.2015
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
Coursework toward B.A. - Merchandise Marketing
Northern Arizona University