christa smith
Buyer- Concept Stores at Vail Resorts
Denver, CO
In My Own Words
Self motivated buyer with 10+ years of retail and customer service experience driven to elevate successful results by analyzing business trends and making strategic decisions. Entrepreneurial at heart and a team player recognized for impassioned approach and high attention to detail.
Work Experience
Buyer- Concept Stores (Helly Hansen, Oakley and Burton)
Vail Resorts2022 – Present
• Oversee product selection, inventory management, and pricing for 13 partner store locations across 3 brands and 7 resorts, ensuring alignment with sales, margin, and inventory goals. • Develop and implement merchandising strategies to increase sales and customer engagement, while fostering strong brand relationships. • Partner with retail marketing and vendors on go-to-market strategies and events to drive traffic back to retail locations. • Analyze sales data to inform purchasing decisions, optimize store performance, and stay current on industry trends and competitive pressures. • Lead and influence cross-functional improvements and overarching growth strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Category Manager II
Shane Co.2019 – 2022
• Managed and optimized inventory flow, unique market assortment plans and item level pricing strategies across 5 categories, contributing to over 60% of the total fashion jewelry business. • Executed monthly open to buy and quarterly balance of sales reports and made adjustments with Planning and Allocations teams on assortment and overall strategy changes, presenting to executives where necessary. • Led the All Silver Jewelry category, executing buy replenishments and new item creation, sales plan, turn and margin goals resulting in a department growth of over +70% YOY. • Partnered with the Visual Manager to ensure stores' case presentation and productivity, made changes when necessary to drive top business. • Awarded September 2021 Employee of the Month for collaborative problem solving and facilitation of merchandising standards for a new store opening.
Buyer
Blue Stripe LLC dba Fresh Produce2018 – 2019
• Manages 1,700 skus across the third party vendor segment of Fresh Produce business, contributing 30% to direct channel revenue and spanning multiple categories including apparel, accessories, beauty and footwear • Works closely with Merchandise Manager to optimize inventory forecasting, tracking, and analysis of key performance indicators such as sales trends by category, vendor performance, product turn, and aged product pricing strategies • Strategize with Business Analyst to build tools and ad-hoc reporting that support daily business processes (ie weekly order tracking for stores) • Assists Merchandise Manager at Gift and Apparel markets to scope trends and select fashion pieces to round out seasonal assortment as well as fulfill current replenishment needs • Updates and manages open to buy by category as well as executes end of month actualization • Utilizes forecasts and hindsight reporting to generate purchase orders and strategically allocate to retail stores using Mi9 Retail System • Leads all vendor communication to facilitate assortment planning, order placement, invoicing and shipment follow-up, as well as sample feedback and sample ordering for studio and lifestyle photo shoots • Executes markdown processes for both 3PV and Fresh Produce products on the Magento Ecommerce platform • Communicates regularly with retail store managers in order to respond proactively to skus exceeding sales expectation and initiating store-to-store transfers to maximize sales • Works cross-functionally with Marketing on high-level initiatives and monthly store toolkits as well as Operations regarding product level changes • Actively manages Online product assortment including creating copy/product information and coordinates image uploads and inventory maintenance on the Magento Ecommerce platform
Assistant Buyer
Kirkland's2016 – 2017
Assistant Buyer for Wall Decor and Mirror categories at Kirkland's Home. • Assist Buyer with product assortment, pricing and merchandising strategies. • Maintain detailed analysis of competition and identify product / promotional strategies. Research and present key industry trends and product / program opportunities. • Analyze sales trend, key items, vendor profitability and aged inventory and makes recommendations for driving improved product performance. • Implement product, pricing, merchandising and marketing initiatives into Kirkland’s business systems, ensuring that product information is accurate, up to date and available for key promotional activity. • Assists Buyer in purchase order management including placement, revisions or canceling of purchase orders and vendor notification. • Assists with negotiating product costs, terms, and shipping/returns issues. • Partner with cross functional team members on reorders, markdowns, allocation and special requests. • Assists Buyer in developing new key vendor partnerships and maintaining existing vendor relationships. • Identify Web Exclusive opportunities and partner with Buyer to develop and execute strategy. • Coordinate vendor samples including requesting revisions, additional samples, returning samples and obtain key product information and images required for site activation. • Participates in recommending, setting, and approving product-pricing strategies to achieve specific margin objectives and execute exit strategies on slow selling items. • Acts as a liaison between vendors and the distribution center to track shipments; notifies Buyer of any delays.
Supervisor
kate spade new york2015 – 2017
division of responsibility: -I am responsible for visual merchandising and presentation by following store directive standards and creating or making adjustments when needed according to inventory.
client & services: -expertise in the development of a clientele -model and lead the team by developing a repeat business and maximizes sales through proactive client outreach -build and maintain new/existing client relationships and has a strong, productive client book -demonstrate strong use of selling skills
leadership presence: -achievement of personal sales goals -educate team on sales plans, personal sales goals, store stats and drives team to achieve them -ensure the highest level of service is provided to all customers through extensive product knowledge and the completion of product profiles -foster a team environment by creating a fun, competitive, inviting atmosphere
building brand equity: -understands and can communicate the kate spade brand aesthetic, brand philosophy and lifestyle to the sales team and customer -ensures brand and operating standards are met to support brand consistency. -ensures store presentation standards are achieved and maintained
operations: -perform and supervise store opening and closing procedures including counting register funds, completing bank deposits, opening and closing registers and securing facility -accurately processes all pos transactions and inventory functions such as transfers, receiving, fedex shipments, repairs and damages to maintain the integrity of the inventory -adherence to kate spade loss prevention policies and operational procedures
Assistant Buyer
Kirkland's Home2012 – 2014
Assistant Buyer for Wall Decor and Seasonal categories for Kirkland's Home. • Assist Buyer with product assortment, pricing and merchandising strategies. • Maintain detailed analysis of competition and identify product / promotional strategies. Research and present key industry trends and product / program opportunities. • Analyze sales trend, key items, vendor profitability and aged inventory and makes recommendations for driving improved product performance. • Implement product, pricing, merchandising and marketing initiatives into Kirkland’s business systems, ensuring that product information is accurate, up to date and available for key promotional activity. • Assists Buyer in purchase order management including placement, revisions or canceling of purchase orders and vendor notification. • Assists with negotiating product costs, terms, and shipping/returns issues. • Partner with cross functional team members on reorders, markdowns, allocation and special requests. • Assists Buyer in developing new key vendor partnerships and maintaining existing vendor relationships. • Identify Web Exclusive opportunities and partner with Buyer to develop and execute strategy. • Coordinate vendor samples including requesting revisions, additional samples, returning samples and obtain key product information and images required for site activation. • Participates in recommending, setting, and approving product-pricing strategies to achieve specific margin objectives and execute exit strategies on slow selling items. • Acts as a liaison between vendors and the distribution center to track shipments; notifies Buyer of any delays.
Education
Jackson Christian School
2001 – 2008