Thomas Jacober

• Increased annual sales of toys and plush business from under $50 million to over $80 million.
• Analyzed market trends to optimize inventory management and guide purchasing decisions.
• Managed supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery of quality products.
• Negotiated pricing and terms with vendors to improve cost-effectiveness.
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to align purchasing strategies with store requirements.
• Trained junior buyers on effective purchasing and vendor management practices.
• Identified cost-saving opportunities through bulk purchases and alternative suppliers.
• Conducted meetings with key suppliers to review performance metrics.

• Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery of products.
• Analyzed market trends to optimize purchasing decisions and inventory levels.
• Evaluated supplier performance to maintain quality and reliability of goods.
• Negotiated pricing and terms with suppliers to achieve favorable agreements.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to meet customer requirements and market demands.
• Researched competitors and sourced new vendors.
• Participated in industry trade shows and conferences to stay abreast of current trends in product development.
• Drafted requests for quotes from vendors for comparison shopping purposes.
• Conducted market research to identify potential suppliers and evaluate product quality and pricing.
• Collaborated with company managers regarding product pricing, promotions and markdowns.
• Presented new merchandise ideas and campaigns to company executives.

• Analyzed sales trends to optimize inventory levels and product assortment.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align promotional activities with inventory planning.
• Managed forecasting processes to ensure adequate stock for seasonal demand fluctuations.
• Reviewed product performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and adjustments.
• Trained junior planners on best practices for inventory management and analysis techniques.
• Led initiatives to streamline planning processes and improve overall operational efficiency.
• Implemented processes and systems that streamline planning operations and enhance efficiency levels.
• Conducted regular meetings with buying teams to review performance of merchandise lines and identify areas for improvement.
• Prepared detailed reports on financial performance of merchandise lines against budget targets.
• Forecasted future demand for products based on historical data and current market trends.
• Forecasted for future merchandise purchases based on historical buys, reoccurring buys and current inventory levels.
• Reviewed stock-to-sales ratios to identify changing trends for sales, plan markups, and plan markdowns.
• Delivered merchandise analysis to inform and guide executive decision making.

• Managed annual sales exceeding $40 million through strategic merchandise planning.
• Analyzed weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales trends to optimize inventory and pricing strategies.
• Developed collegiate business generating over $7 million in annual sales.
• Monitored inventory turnover rates to identify slow-moving items for clearance actions.
• Conducted post-season evaluations to refine future merchandise assortment processes.
• Managed open-to-buy budgets ensuring accurate forecasting of purchases and allocations.
• Reviewed stock-to-sales ratios to adapt to changing market trends effectively.
• Created analytics tools that enhanced forecasting accuracy and informed decision-making.

• Directed buying team in developing merchandise assortments, achieving $55 million annual sales volume across 40+ classifications.
• Expanded big and tall product line, doubling annual sales volume.
• Conducted market research to identify trends and potential vendors for initiatives.
• Negotiated with vendors for advertising support, markdowns, and competitive pricing.

Created promotional pricing strategy, including advertising and markdown schedule.

Selected merchandise for corporate advertising campaigns to enhance visibility.

• Reviewed weekly sales reports to maximize business performance and identify growth opportunities.
• Analyzed business recaps for market core meetings with divisional buyers to inform strategies.
• Entered and tracked purchase orders, ensuring accurate inventory management.
• Managed replenishment processes to enhance in-stock rates while driving overall sales.
• Maintained vendor relationships through effective communication of product availability and shipment timelines.

• Selected merchandise and crafted advertising copy for weekly promotions.
• Developed and allocated merchandise orders to optimize inventory levels.
• Analyzed weekly selling reports by item to identify trends and adjust strategies.
• Monitored departmental financial plans weekly to ensure alignment with goals.
• Managed open-to-buy process weekly to achieve sales and margin objectives.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to execute promotional campaigns effectively.

• Managed daily operations and staff scheduling for efficient store functionality.
• Trained and mentored team members to enhance customer service skills.
• Implemented promotional displays to attract customers and increase sales.

• Supervised stocking, pricing changes, and stockroom teams to optimize inventory management.
• Monitored sales performance of key items, ensuring effective merchandising and maintenance.
• Cultivated leadership and motivational skills while managing 15 associates.
• Managed scheduling and payroll budget for associates to enhance operational efficiency.