2006 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Gwynedd-Mercy College, 3.78
GPA, graduate with a record of success in purchasing, management, merchandising , and marketing. Detail orientated organizer who drives revenue growth to consi stently exceed profit goals. Creative and composed problem solver who meets dea dlines, reconciles constantly changing priorities, and resolves conflicts. Expe rienced with start up and established procurement/distribution processes for mul tiple retail locations, tracking both seasonal and standard product sales for fo recasting and scrutinizing OTB budgets, and managing vendor relationships. Poss essor of advanced skills with Microsoft 2003 Excel, an intermediate Word and Pow erPoint skill level, and proficient in Publisher. Known for ability to acclimat e quickly to proprietary technology. Accomplishments: While purchasing all Allied products (non-Hallmark brand) for seven stores incre ased sales annually up to 12%; Allied product out-paced Hallmark product sales a nnually by a margin of + 20%. Launched four new business ventures (purchasing only for two Hallmark stores); f rom strategy, to merchandise selection and marketing plans, through display set up and stocking product. Increased the rental unit occupancy rate by 20% at a self-storage facility in a saturated and highly competitive marketplace. Matched allied product sales for first quarter, after only one month on the job, due to improved product selectio n, pricing, and communication of sales philosophy to associates. Started as Home Decor Department Manager, after five months added the Paint Depa rtment to responsibilities, and the Home Organization Department added in eighth month. Qualifications: Retail sales analysis for seven stores via continuous seasonal and regular produ ct performance tracking to establish OTB budget; extracting data from a propriet ary Hallmark software system, converting data to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, a nd manipulate, interpret, and report findings. Product sourcing and procurement, inventory management and distribution, and ven dor contracting and management. Identified, defined, and organized the communication of Open-to-Buy and merchand ising concepts amongst the Owner, Operations Managers, Store Managers and Associ ates. Created and presented PowerPoint Presentations to 20+ people. Estimated and sold quotes for labor and materials for home improvement services. Procured materials for jobs, organized work assignments through job completion ; including, reconciling accounts, collections, and customer relationship mainte nance. Analyzed sales performance to budget and margin; adhering to budget and controll ing expenses. Big and small box retail consultative sales, both special order and in stock mer chandise and installation services, including follow-through and follow-up of in stallations. Hunted new business through B2B cold calls, farming existing B2B and B2C account s, actively participated in two Chambers' of Commerce, and networked as a member in three professional business associations. Planned, executed, and manned sev en off-site Business Expositions booths and six on-site community events. Experience: Marketing and Operations Manager ABC Will Fix It for You! Souderton, PA 03/2007 - Present Paint, Home Decor, and Home Organization Departments Manager Lowe's, Inc. Hatfield, PA 03/2009 - 4/2010 Property Manager Space Mart Self-Storage, LLC Souderton, PA 05/2006 - 01/2008 Allied Product Buyer Jeanette's Hallmark Lansdale, PA 11/2001 - 03 /2006 Assistant Manager Talbot's, Inc. Chestnut Hill, PA 3/1998 - 5/1999 Owner Becky's Consignment Shop Quakertown, PA 3/1995 - 2/1998 Customer Service Coordinator Audiology Associates, Inc. Baltimore, MD 12/1988 - 11/1992