TARA FEE
Federal Way,WA
Summary
Experienced corporate professional with a strong background in merchandising and retail sales. Over 2.5 years of experience as a buyer and more than 10 years in retail sales, developing a comprehensive understanding of the footwear industry in both brick and mortar and e-commerce settings. Unique blend of analytical and creative skills contributing to a holistic approach in merchandising strategies. Achieves outstanding results by leveraging keen understanding of market trends, strategic mindset, commitment to excellence, and prioritizing customer satisfaction. Detail-oriented nature excels in purchasing, vendor management, and inventory control. Proven track record of identifying cost savings opportunities and executing strategies to maximize sales and profits. Valuable asset to any team.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant buyer
Zulily
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Supervised sales team of 30 people, stepping in to support employees and deliver smooth sales processes for clients.
- Coached employees in successful selling methods and encouraged cross-selling to drive revenue.
- Top sales department driving highest sales goals for Holiday 2019 resulting in 10.5% increase from previous year (all departments combined).
- Merchandised 3 different departments daily.
- Identified, hired and trained highly-qualified staff by teaching best practices, coaching on sales and leadership development.
- Managed new vendor accounts within my portfolio.
- Worked under Olivia Kim senior vice president of merchandising at Nordstrom.
- Launched new concept shops every quarter in all departments.
- Took multiple certification classes to learn about new products for shops that launched within our portfolio.
- Partnered with Nike on finding ways to merchandise shop and visuals for customer satisfaction.
- Ownership of new releases for Nike footwear.
- Reviewed purchasing trends and forecast demand for inventory planning and replenishment.
Nike and Creative Projects Manager
Nordstrom
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Assesses & acquires inventory from vendors within a $14M portfolio that will curate into various types of selling events and promotions to achieve yearly financial goals
- Owner for the JBU and Jambu footwear account by facilitating weekly meetings, analyzing product inventory, generating weekly sales reports
- Total 2022 demand: $4.5M
- Along with managing 10 other vendors in our portfolio
- 12% increase in 2022
- Creates purchase orders (prebuys and ZPS inventory) utilizing prebuy reporting and JIRA system management
- Assist in negotiating buying terms with vendors price
- Quantity
- Delivery payment terms
- Research on market trends and new products
- Importing new products and organizing vendor documents
- Juggled multiple projects and several vendors at a time successfully and always met tight deadlines
- Built strong relationships with other departments to collaborate on creating cross merchandising shops for our site
- Remote position
- Championed continuous improvement within the organization by staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices for effective project management techniques.
Footwear - Manager
Nordstrom
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Supervised sales team of 30 people, stepping in to support employees and deliver smooth sales processes for clients
- Coached employees in successful selling methods and encouraged cross-selling to drive revenue
- Top sales department driving highest sales goals for Holiday 2019 resulting in 10.5% increase from previous year (all departments combined)
- Merchandised 3 different departments daily
- Identified, hired and trained highly-qualified staff by teaching best practices, coaching on sales and leadership development
- Managed new vendor accounts within my portfolio
- Worked under Olivia Kim senior vice president of merchandising at Nordstrom
- Launched new concept shops every quarter in all departments
- Took multiple certification classes to learn about new products for shops that launched within our portfolio
- Partnered with Nike on finding ways to merchandise shop and visuals for customer satisfaction
- Ownership of new releases for Nike footwear
- Managed combination of multiple sales floors with a total demand of $6M
- Developed loyal and highly satisfied customer base through proactive management of sales team
- Ownership on training the co assistants
- Coaching and developing their leadership roles
- Teaching them how to reach sales goals, read metrics, giving them brand ownerships to drive individual results for their categories, and team development/coaching conversations
- Planned all brand events for the department
- Worked as a department manager in training by supporting the current department manager with overall business
- Took ownership on all interviews and hiring for the sales team
- Stock room ownership
- Making sure all merchandise was out on the sales floor and placed into the stockroom correctly
- Walking daily and assigning daily tasks to sales team to upkeep stockroom cleanliness and organization
- Partnered with my department manager on floor visual merchandising daily
- Creating shops to drive sales in our department
- Mentored sales team in applying effective sales techniques and delivering top-notch customer service
- Presidents cup winners in 2016 Flagship Seattle Women's shoes
- Ownership on all vendor events working with vendors directly on product sales and sales team incentives
- Streamlined inventory management processes for increased efficiency and reduced stock discrepancies.
Education
High school diploma -
TODD BEAMER HIGH SCHOOL
01.2014
Skills
- Supply chain process
- Project management
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Leadership
- Effective Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Microsoft programs
- Market trend research & analysis
- Analytical mindset
Certification
- FUTURE NORDSTROM LEADERS, 01/2016, FNL developing leaders certification
- BPS SHOES ASSISTANT, 01/2015, Women's Shoes Assistant
- BPS SHOES ASSISTANT, 01/2017, Women's and Men's Shoes 1st Assistant
Personal Information
Title: MERCHANDISING SPECIALIST
Timeline
Assistant buyer
Zulily
01.2021 - 01.2024
Nike and Creative Projects Manager
Nordstrom
01.2019 - 01.2020
Footwear - Manager
Nordstrom
01.2015 - 01.2019
- FUTURE NORDSTROM LEADERS, 01/2016, FNL developing leaders certification
- BPS SHOES ASSISTANT, 01/2015, Women's Shoes Assistant
- BPS SHOES ASSISTANT, 01/2017, Women's and Men's Shoes 1st Assistant
High school diploma -
TODD BEAMER HIGH SCHOOL
Similar Profiles
Brynn LoebsackBrynn Loebsack
Senior Buyer at ZulilySenior Buyer at Zulily
Michelle Elalto CunetaMichelle Elalto Cuneta
Assistant Buyer at ZulilyAssistant Buyer at Zulily
VIVEK SHANKAR RAM RAMASWAMYVIVEK SHANKAR RAM RAMASWAMY
Software Engineer at ZulilySoftware Engineer at Zulily