Abigale Nelson

Digital Account Rep | 2015 – Present With most recent promotion, focused on supporting and servicing high touch, rapidly evolving retailers including Amazon, REI, Zappos, and Evo; immersed in the short- and long-term planning, distribution, and operations for these Dealers. Role requires high motivation with honed problem-solving skills and the ability to balance customer needs with company strategies. Work daily with buying staff and internal operational partners, reflecting a strength in establishing strong, long term, and mutually beneficial partnerships with Dealer Base. With the Digital Business Manager role currently vacated, has taken on being the “face of the brand” with ecommerce retailers and within the corporate office based in Vermont. - Skilled and comfortable in making educated, strategic moves for the betterment of the Burton brand; senior sales lead applying management skills, expertise, inspiration, direction and knowledge to the team. - Collaborates with brand teams including Area Managers, Territory Business Managers, Merchandisers, and Marketing Coordinators who will support these Dealers in the field, as well as internal partners in the Americas Marketing, Sales Operations and Finance departments to secure the required assets, activations, sales programs, and product assortments to support retailers’ plans. - Acts as a “translator” between retailers and the Burton, managing Dealer chargeback management, contract management, operational calls, facilitation with distribution and transportation department, and communication circle for operational matters pertaining to account base. - Supports the REI’s Flagship Store-In-Store Concept, designed to promote the Burton Culture though a curated assortment and structural build; develops the product mix and forecast for the location, working closely with the buyer taking into customer needs and brand’s category expansion within the store; recently refreshed and redesigned the structure of the SIS that included an overnight installation. - Co-develops territory growth forecasts; meeting and or exceeding them on a seasonal basis throughout the year through the identification of new growth categories; responsible for driving successful sell-in, sell-through, and service programs for all categories. - Proud of identifying, hiring, and supporting emerging seasonal employees; provides additional on-board training and coaching throughout high paced season. - Manages and maintains regional showroom and office needs in downtown Seattle, enhancing the regional marketing base for the Burton family of brands, 3,000 miles away from its home office. - Proven record of prospecting innovative and profitable revenue growth in a volatile business and weather environment delivering consistent superior results. - Executes grassroots marketing events and programs designed at increasing brand awareness, sales revenue and sell through, and sport participation; volunteers for brand demo’s and tradeshow appearances, assisting co-workers during these chaotic and high-profile brand events. - Delivers national service plan for Dealer education, merchandising, marketing support and consumer engagement with Burton field team. - Analyzes market and competitors’ trends, tracking sales, collecting industry insights and intelligence, providing needed reports for internal partners.

Business builder with extensive experience in developing and implementing apparel product and merchandise programs for 500+ store innovative retailer, within the retailer’s largest business category. Expertise reflected in building profitable accessory assortments focused on consumer experience and best-in-class practices with financial prowess in forecasting, balancing stock levels, and ensuring strong GMROI. Results focused with the capacity to communicate cross-functionally and manage multiple contact points within customer and company divisions. Actively assisted stores with visual accessory merchandising assortment. - Analyzed daily category activities including sales analysis in-season business, trending, forecasting, and responding to the continuous shifting in marketplace and consumer buying patterns; identified opportunities to increase sales, improve margins, maximize inventories, and minimize markdowns. - Focused on identifying and introducing regional brands to showcase unique assortments and preserve regional atmosphere within different markets, while identifying new categories and brands for the entire 500 store chain. - Worked cross functionally with all aspects of merchandising, marketing, and store planning teams to ensure uniform merchandise message and proper product allocation. - Originally hired to support the Canadian accessories’ buyer, but promoted to support the US Men’s category, with a deep emphasis on Private Label program with some profitable skus still being sold online today.

Managed in-season business by tracking and analyzing sales information in order to identify opportunities to increase sales, improve margins, maximize inventories, and decrease markdowns. Worked daily to analyze sales, trends, forecasting patterns, responding to the continuous shifting in marketplace and consumer buying patterns. Assisted in the promotions and product selection within Steep and Cheap and Whiskey Militia closeout websites. Tracked inbound purchase orders, managing cancellation dates, and product reorder needs.

Worked as an assistant buyer position within each department for both Canada and US, learning about Men’s,Junior’s, Accessories, Shoes, and Hardgoods. Acquired skills to become a successful buyer which included; negotiating, markups, markdowns, averages, balances, discounts, terms, and communications. Trained in sell through reports, allocation, and merchandise planning programs.