Ben Meek

Managed and oversaw daily operations of $950,000,000 omni-channel footwear business. Led team of 40 associates within four buying offices, covering all facets of footwear activities with emphasis on cross-functional collaboration. Developed vision and strategy for merchandising, marketing, planning, and operations for brick and mortar and e-commerce business. Acted as merchandise division lead for company’s shrinkage improvement committee. • Achieved top quartile sales performance in company for fiscal 2019. • Implemented disruptive promotional strategy for women’s boot business, resulting in market-leading category performance and $25,000,000 sales growth over three years. • Drove men’s footwear private brand reinvention strategy, resulting in $20,000,000 sales growth over and 800 bp margin improvement over two years. • Implemented and executed long-term vision and growth strategies for company’s footwear business that aligned with the company’s Plan for Renewal. • Developed new ideas and technology for shrinkage improvement, including high-tech security tags, improved store implementation process, new footwear customer service model, and motion technology in stores. • Grew e-commerce business by 30% during tenure, increasing assortment offerings in high-demand businesses (Nike, Vans, Converse, Clarks), driving innovative promotions in seasonal businesses (sandals, boots), partnering with deal websites to drive traffic, and implementing direct-to-consumer model with key partners.

Coordinated all buying and promotional activities for $270,000,000 men's footwear business (men’s athletic, dress, casual). Led team of eight people, including assistant buyers, merchandise assistants, and planning and allocation team members. Partnered on sales growth strategies with leading global footwear brands, including Nike, Adidas, Clarks of England, Aldo Group, Skechers, Florsheim, and Wolverine. Determined all assortments in store and online. • Collaborated with company’s product development team to build innovative dress and casual shoe assortments for $26,000,000 annual private brand business. • Achieved sales and profit plans in 2014 and 2015. • Received Skechers Merchant of Year Award in 2013.

Coordinated all buying activities, stock management, sales promotion, and marketing for $147,000,000 boys' 4-7 apparel business. Purchased all categories for boys’ clothing, including tops, bottoms, outwear, swimwear, and sets. Partnered with product development team to build seasonally-appropriate assortments for pre-school aged consumers. Led a team of seven people, overseeing merchandising, planning, and allocation activities. • Grew boys’ 4-7 business from $124,000,000 in annual sales to $147,000,000 in sales from 2005 to 2011 (18.5% despite 2008 recession) and improved gross profit rate by 420 bp. • Ranked first in sales growth in children's division during tenure. • Conceptualized and implemented new Okie Dokie brand, building business from zero to $15,000,000 in annual sales over two-year period. • Revamped assortments, changing focus from 100% playwear to more mature looks inspired by boys' 8-20 assortments. • Reinvented selling space by creating destination character shop, complete with new branding and visuals. • Received JCPenney Founder's Award in 2006 based on top 10% sales results in the company.

Directed purchasing, financial planning, sales forecasting, stock management, promotion, and marketing activities for $16,000,000 annual boys' apparel business in 72-store chain. Achieved number one sales and gross profit performance of all May Co. divisions in 2005 (out of seven regional department store divisions).