Bike

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Fashion

Fishing

Music

Outdoor

Snow

Surf

Health & Fitness

Cooking

Traveling

Boating

Trend forecasting

I am an experienced VP of merchandising with the learnings and ability to set the merchandising vision and strategy to exceed financial targets, including revenue, margin and inventory metrics.  I am passionate about product and meeting the needs of our guest from a trend and function standpoint.  I have demonstrated the ability to drive results, company direction, business acumen.  I love working with people and have the ability to influence and motivate teams and audiences.  I have both vertical and market based experience, and understand supply chain and product development.  I have a strong sense of trend and have merchandised and set financial plans in apparel, plus apparel, accessories, footwear,  gift, home, and beauty.  I also have held a VP role in e-commerce merchandising and a Director role in international merchandising.  I love retail, product, and winning!

Demonstrated ability to drive annual sales volume of $70.0+ million across division (jewelry, gift, accessories, footwear, home, baby, fragrance & personal care).
Set merchandising vision and strategy for division to exceed financial goals, including revenue, margin, and inventory metrics.
Identified white space and grew penetration of division from 28% of total company to 33% over a 2 year time
period.
Developed merchandising strategies and line assortment plans to maximize business, balancing core, fashion, and reach merchandise.
Created, developed and coordinated the trend forecasting piece of the business to deliver relevant product.
Executed trend concepts, key item growth, in store merchandising and marketing to ensure brand integrity.
Shopped various markets and worked with vendors (75+ vendor base) daily to build product and assortments and have a pulse on emerging concepts and trends.
Created top down financial architecture and seasonal strategy for each department with planning team.
Built assortment plans by analyzing historic and current business trends, competition and trend forecasting to ensure
a great customer experience.
Monitored sales and inventory levels on a weekly basis and placed new orders for merchandise to keep supply
well-stocked.
Successfully developed and launched innovative new businesses and sales driving concepts: a full fragrance,
personal care and baby assortment.
Worked cross functionally with planning, allocation, visual, marketing and e-commerce for optimal results.
Managed, developed and led a merchant team of 6 associates to be guest focused, product and trend orientated,
innovative and nimble with their supply chain.
RUE21

Vice President of Merchandising

Set merchandising vision for new and existing business and merchandising strategies across all divisions of Aeropostale women's, men's, kids and accessories for all Canada stores and international franchise.
Identified white space in the market place to maximize brand awareness while capturing market share across all
divisions.
Built balanced merchandising assortments that catered to individual regions while staying true to the Aeropostale
brand.
Determined and managed volume drivers, pricing cadence, markdown strategies, promotional cadence, visual set up and marketing by region to maximize profitability.
Managed and developed 3 direct reports, cross-functional Canadian and International teams.

Director of International Merchandising

Responsible for driving annual sales volume of $300.0+ million (grew a $150.0M business to $300.0+ in 3 years).
Identified and delivered incremental sales in the fleece and knit top categories that was once seasonal (exclusive to Q3 &Q4)
Identified a dress business in both knit and woven and grew to over $20.0M year over year.
Worked to launch e-commerce and was the liaison between the merchandising and e-commerce team.
Manage and develop multiple buyers, associate buyers, assist and buyers and four cross functional teams.

Director of Merchandising

Drove $130.0 million in annual sales volume across woven bottoms, tops, and jackets.
Responsible for a "Best At" key item pant business with sales unit volume exceeding 1 million pairs.
Recognized opportunity in woven shirts and grew the business from $7.0 million to $20.0 million in 1 year.
Was appointed the merchant representative to help launch e-commerce.

Buyer of Woven Bottoms, Tops and Jackets

Find out detailed information about Karen Klimkiewicz,  in Knoxville, TN

Karen Klimkiewicz: in Knoxville, TN

Karen Klimkiewicz

ALTAR'D STATE

AEROPOSTALE

AEROPOSTALE

NEW YORK AND COMPANY

University of Delaware