Bike

Lifestyle

Outdoor

Category Manager - Buyer

An experienced Buyer, I draw upon my work history in sales, category management, and warranty/technical service management to achieve the best results for both the vendor and the customer.

In these roles, I have: 
Successfully fostered relationships with all levels of customers and coworkers, including Directors and CEOs.
Become skilled at implementing product selection, margin improvement, inventory turns, and profitability.
Developed expertise regarding consumer goods industry within the bicycle and outdoors segments.
Gained experience and knowledge of the processes of merchandise flow within very large retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, REI, and The Sports Authority.


•	Daily review of inventory levels, sales rates, incoming orders for multiple distribution centers.
•	Placing purchase orders based on sales rates and budgetary goals.
•	Setting up skus within the ERP system, including cost and pricing. 
•	Follow through on shipping schedules, late deliveries, errors in shipments or invoicing.
•	Selecting, planning, and budgeting of product assortment.
•	Work cross functionally with Sales and Marketing to develop programs,  provide product information, and answer customer questions.
•	Planning, preparing & participation in trade shows & similar events.
•	Product management of the Torker brand wheel goods including sourcing, specification, negotiations, technical writing for owner’s manual.

•	Sales of merchandise and memberships within Action Sports/Cycling and Camp/Climb departments. Assist customers throughout the store with inventory and customer service needs. 
•	REI Outdoor School Qualified Instructor – in store classes, cycling and camping subjects.
•	Improvement of merchandising and staff mentoring based on experience with retail operations of national and local retailers.
•	Correcting product issues related to inventory, product packaging, image accuracy, and pricing. 
•	Tech I & Tech II trained to assist in shop operations. Volunteer staff, REI HQ Tech Tent for the Seattle to Portland bike ride.
•	REI retail experience provides product life cycle knowledge from sourcing to consumer by supplementing experience as an REI vendor at two previous positions.

Sales Specialist

•	Annual catalog production for wholesale and retail markets, including art direction, copy writing and supplementary photography.
•	Improved margin by standardizing price lists and reducing duty costs. 
•	Established relationships and expanded sales with existing customers such as REI, EMS, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. 
•	Opened new customers including Boy Scouts, Sports Authority, Ritz Cameras, and Indigo - a 400 door Canadian chain.
•	Coordinated numerous domestic tradeshows as well as the OutDoor Expo in Friedrichshafen, Germany. 
•	Product concept and development support for Pedco CellPod® and Uco Stormproof Match Kit. 
•	Reviewed and completed Vendor Agreements to ensure compliance.
•	Completed customers’ SKU set up forms and updated as necessary.

Sales and Marketing Manager

•	Responsible for Parts and Accessories assortment for large, multi-store accounts, Dick’s, TSA, REI, REI Outlet, Sport Chalet as well as the Military Exchanges. This totaled roughly 900 stores. 
•	Managed forecasts and coordinated product selection among all accounts and purchasing department.
•	Monitored product trends by reviewing Edifice Sales Reports and replenishment orders.
•	Negotiated pricing with vendors and customers to achieve gross margins for parts and accessories that were higher than the company average, 28% vs. 23%.  
•	Managed Vendor Agreement documents’ annual review and renewal, to ensure companywide compliance.
•	Sales increased from $3 to $6 million over the 4 years by directing cross functional efforts of Product Development and Purchasing to meet the needs of our customers.
•	Primary point of contact for technical issues, shop set up, and training of store management and staff.
•	National Accounts tradeshow meeting, travel and schedule coordination. Sale sheet and buyer’s guide production.

National Accounts Category Manager, Marketing Specialist (

Find out detailed information about Matthew Dekker, Category Manager - Buyer in Bellevue, WA

Matthew Dekker: Category Manager - Buyer in Bellevue, WA

Matthew Dekker

Seattle Bike Supply, a division of Accel North America

REI

Industrial Revolution, Inc.

Raleigh America, Inc.

University of Cincinnati