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From concept to customer; I am an experienced merchant with demonstrated success leading a diverse range of product categories within specialty retail, department stores, ecommerce, catalog and wholesale. I possess a strong blend of analytical aptitude and creative vision.  I am an effective communicator and cross-functional leader who enjoys building relationships and inspiring teams to achieve peak performance.

I thrive on the duality of the merchant role.  The combination of creativity and analysis provides me with the variety of challenges I need.  I am passionate about product and energized by collaborating with other creative minds.

Specialties: Brand Strategy, Apparel Merchandising, Footwear Merchandising, Men's Apparel, Stationery, Assortment Strategies, Line Building, Product Development, Product Management, Design Collaboration, Financial Analysis, Customer-focused, Building Relationships, Team Development, Cross-functional Leader, Vendor Negotiations

Temporary role to evaluate existing catalog strategy and implement changes to increase sales, improve effi- ciency and define the catalog’s role in growing the overall business. Integrated a stronger selling focus to bal- ance editorial content while supporting seasonal brand messages. Introduced best practices regarding space allocation, pagination, product hierarchy and storytelling. Recommended product themes and assets to be leveraged across channels.
• Generated nearly $2 million in incremental sales over prior year catalogs for Q4 ’16 & Q1 ’17
• Achieved 25-40% sales increases for each of 5 catalogs through revised product and layout strategies
• Significantly improved catalog efficiency; 30% increase in sales while also reducing overall costs 30% 
• Revamped copy strategy to better inform consumer of product features & benefits
• Ideated visually compelling presentations utilizing product comparisons, technical callouts & illustration


Senior Merchant (temporary)

Key driver of global product development and assortment strategies supporting Starbucks, PMI's premier ac- count with over 20,000 stores in 65 countries. Partnered with industrial design, design engineering, graphic design and operations teams in Seattle and Asia to create innovative, customized product that inspires the consumer while elevating the brand.
• Met quarterly with regional product teams in Europe and Asia to collaborate on product strategies
• Ensured final art direction and pricing of seasonal presentations met customer goals
• Generated $5 million in incremental sales in C/AP region by developing new core assortment
• Nearly doubled EMEA sales from $6.3 to $11 million; focused strategy on core product and new materials 
• Drove strategic wholesale cost reductions resulting in +$2 million in reorders  

Global Director - Merchandising

Promoted into newly created position in 2011 to provide strategic direction across all product categories with sales of $350 million.
• Achieved 16% and 20% sales increases for Q4 2011 and Q1 2012 respectively
• Implemented new processes incorporating deeper analysis & overarching trends to drive product plan
• Established merchant category experts to align resources based on revenue expectations and SKU depth 
• Increased market share by introducing product collections and expanding into new consumer segments
• Revamped content release calendar to increase consumer touch points and minimize production peaks
• Led style development of Premium Content strategy – doubled target metrics at launch.


Senior Manager - Merchandising

Key business driver of Men’s Apparel. Built seasonal strategies and collaborated with the Design Director to estab- lish product direction for a $170 million business. Cross-functional leader coordinating Merchandising, Design, Mar- keting, Sourcing, Inventory Planning and foreign office teams. Provided ongoing direction regarding line plans, competitive analysis, buy plans, pricing, promotions and resolution of production issues.
• Achieved +17 point shift in comp store sales trend between first and second halves of 2006
• Re-focused breadth and scope of assortment; increased style productivity 50%
• Traveled quarterly to Hong Kong to finalize product details, negotiate factory placement and costing

Divisional Merchandise Manager/Merchandise Manager

Find out detailed information about Kurt Petonke,  in Seattle, WA

Kurt Petonke: in Seattle, WA

Kurt Petonke

Filson

Pacific Market International

Shutterfly, Inc

Eddie Bauer

University of Illinois