Travis Hildebrand

Merchandising Manager

2015 – 2024

I am an expert at analyzing consumer evolution, competitor actions, and market trends. I directed all GTM actions related to my footwear categories by coordinating all sales, marketing, merchandising and other cross functional group actions. I analyzed consumer trends, retailer expectations, new product technologies, competitor landscape and eyes on market visits to develop and communicate product evolution needs, curate consumer centric range plans and commercial expectations each season, driving significant revenue growth and distribution expansion in both Direct to Consumer and Business to Business channels.

* Category Management - Pioneered the road footwear category for Salomon, North America, from $0 revenue in 2015 to over $4M in 2023. * Apparel and Accessories - Partnered with Apparel and Accessories Merchandising to align company strategy with consumer, market and retailer needs resulting in massive growth in all performance categories. * Footwear Merchandising - Developed seasonal, annual, and long-term category plans and strategies for performance footwear resulting in a revenue CAGR of 16% from 2015 through 2023. * Product Management - Improved range efficiency by collaborating with international product, marketing, commercial and logistics teams. * Data Analysis - Provided tangible and quantitative insights to global and local leadership by using internal and external data to analyze and identify industry and consumer trends, find opportunities and threats for the brand. * Relationship Building - Cultivated relationships with buyers and leaders from specialty retailers, as well as national key accounts throughout North America. * Industry Relationships - Strong relationships with industry associations, consultants, and market influencers. * Cross Functional - Hub of category communication and training within the Salomon company for multiple cross functional groups including Sales, Marketing, Commercial, D2C, and more, at both the US and global levels. * Sales Leadership- Quadrupled distribution by traveling to markets around North America to coach sales teams, meet with retailers and perform line showings, staff clinics, group runs, product demos and market tours. * Presentation Skills - Presented multiple complex technologies and product updates, as well as retail math and other industry specific topics at many internal meetings, including sales meetings, in both USA and Canada.

General Manager

1999 – 2015

Started as a part time sales associate in 1999 and worked in several roles, including store manager, buyer, merchandiser. In 2003 was named the General Manager and became responsible for all business operations of the company. During this tenure the company grew to three locations and became a multi-million dollar, nationally recognized leader in the industry.

* Led Salt Lake Running Company growth from a single 1,200 sq ft location doing less than $750,000/yr to a 3 store $4M+ pillar of the local running community. * Drove significant positive annual revenue and margin dollar growth every year under my leadership. * Grew staff from 5 individuals to a 30+ team of nationally renowned retail sales associates, buyers, merchandisers, managers, and marketers. * Stayed ahead of consumer trends by building a network of running store owners, managers, buyers as well as brand leaders and key industry leaders to share trends and stay up to date on consumer expectations. * Tracked category and overall performance by implementing KPI's in GMROI, turns, UPT and other retail metrics. * Maintained a nearly 50% product margin by managing buyers' open-to-buy budgets and product sufficiency. * Maximized overall profitability by ensuring proper cost of employees according to budget requirements. * Completed bi-monthly payroll calculations for all employees, including hours worked, spiffs, & commissions. * Implemented a standardized sales protocol to increase key retail sales metrics (Key Performance Indicators). * Attended multiple leadership trainings including Mann University, TRE leadership trainings and vendor trainings. * Extensive experience assisting consumers with lower extremity injuries: plantar fasciitis, ITB and knee injuries, etc. * Directed consumer expo events including inventory, merchandising, point of sale, promotions, and event relations. * Headed up monthly staff training meetings providing incentives, product knowledge and communicated company business. * Executed the onboarding and transition of staff, customers, inventory, and all things related to the business during the acquisition of a competing retailer. * Assisted in the layout and visual merchandising plans for multiple retail expansions and floor plans.

MBA

Emphasis in Entrepreneurship

BSc

Captain of Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, and Outdoor Track and Field intercollegiate teams Coaching Certification Majored in Exercise and Sport Science

associates

Liberal Arts Captain of Cross Country and Track and Field intercollegiate teams