Hallie Schmidlin

- Own end-to-end category strategy for OPE and OHV, driving sales growth, margin expansion, and inventory productivity across all store locations - Build and execute seasonal and annual category plans using market insights, competitive analysis, and customer demand trends to optimize SKU mix and lifecycle performance - Lead vendor negotiations to secure cost improvements, margin enhancements, and promotional funding that strengthen category profitability - Partner cross-functionally with replenishment, planning, and store operations to improve forecasting accuracy, reduce out of stocks, and ensure seamless execution of category transitions - Identify whitespace opportunities and evaluate new product introductions to expand category relevance and support long-term growth

- Drove a 15.5% increase to LY in category sales while optimizing inventory management, achieving a 12-basis point improvement in turn - Supported the launch of 13 new store locations throughout my tenure as a replenishment analyst - Mentored specialist in the department, fostering skill development and improving departmental efficiency

- Conceptualized a new assortment in a down-treading business that increased top-line sales by 44% - Collaborated with the marketing department to plan flyers that drove sales increases of +160% - Revamped the paint department within 6 months through analysis, data-based decisions, and infusing new ideas, which generated sales that surpassed plan expectations by 3.5% and improved gross margin by 219 basis points

- Assisted with merchandise procurement for power equipment, off-highway, plumbing, heating, and paint - Evaluated forecasts to purchase adequate supply to meet sales demand for 34 stores

- Greeted and assisted customers with returns, exchanges, donations, and special item requests - Developed quick decision-making skills and the ability to communicate during tense situations - Trained new hires in customer service, cashier, fitting room, and e-commerce positions