Arizona State University

Associate Merchant at SEPHORA

San Francisco, California, United States

SEPHORA

Associate Merchant

SEPHORA- ASSISTANT MERCHANT, COLOR
- Assist in managing a $200M/yr portfolio of broadly distributed brands.
- Maintain strong relationship with key brand partners through setting key objectives and strategies along with progress tracking.
- Collaborate with brand partners on product development strategies and provide appropriate feedback for our market through Full year 360 brand management plans.
- Fully manage select accounts within portfolio while collaborating with cross functional partners in dotcom and marketing. Responsible for Leading Monthly brand meetings and quarterly market meetings.
- Partner with marketing team and brands on recommendations for marketing investments, including sampling, brand campaigns, and store exposures.
- Work with Cross-Functional planning partner on newness forecasting, markdown strategies, topline forecasting, and bottoms up projections along with continuously searching and identifying areas of opportunity for further brand growth.
- Manage Merchandising portion for Paid Services taskforce, providing product lists for Beauty Advisor kits and feedback on programs rolling out to stores.

Assistant Merchant

SEARS HOLDINGS INC. -ASSOCIATE BUYER, FRAGRANCE/BATH/COSMETICS
- Increased Category business by 122% ($3.8m) in 2 years. Developed a new value bath program after basic bath programs exited stores along with expanding the business from 400 stores to over 600 stores. Introduced a very successful line of $1 soaps and lotions in multiple points of sale.
- Managed monthly Open-To-Buy for bath and cosmetics, including sales forecasting, receipts, and markdown management to maximize gross profit.
- Planned and executed seasonal marketing and promotional calendars, including circular ad space and social media exposure opportunities for new product launches and key programs.

Sears Holdings Corporation

Associate Buyer

- Generated and analyzed financial reports and provided recommendations for opportunities to improve performance and profitability regarding advertising, seasonal merchandise and new items in fragrance, bath, and cosmetic sets.
-  Supported buying team and vendors with item setup and maintenance, along with accurate order submissions. Partnered with vendors, planning, and allocation teams on flow of merchandise to ensure timely deliveries.
-  Served as key point of contact for marketing.  Planned and maintained offers, coordinated ad layouts, and tracked results of weekly circulars and other promotional programs using multiple corporate ad planning and reporting systems. Assisted with accurate data entry for weekly/monthly pricing.
-  Managed bath and cosmetic categories while Associate Buyer was on 4 month leave. Introduced first value program into stores that generated incremental volume of $500k in one year, increasing bath sales by 30%.
-  Planned and produced in-store merchandising quarterly brochure with a focus on key launches and strategies.

Assistant Buyer

- Led sales team to achieve store’s sales forecast, elevating profits to achieve a $6 million projection through successful event planning and execution. Utilized client service reporting, sales floor observations, and coaching to ensure a positive experience for each customer.
-  Recruited sales associates to build a bench for future Lead Department Manager roles. Trained and coached Lead Managers to develop leadership and business skills.
-  Assisted in video training productions with Sephora U. Actively participated in Train the Trainer program, onboarding cast members in various markets. Coordinated in-store brand trainings for product consultants.

Juanita Rubio