Jennifer Marklove

Currently managing the own brand Nursery Equipment category. Responsible for all own brand buying activity on the department; planning the seasonal strategy, writing design briefs, developing relevant product and bringing it to market. Previously worked as the Assistant Buyer on Nursery Interiors. Managed day to day duties on the department, reporting into the Senior Buyer. Took part in three Far East development trips, leading the most recent to India alongside the department designer. Managed a Buyers Admin, planning workload and leading appraisal meetings.

Promoted to position of Category Buyer, purchasing own brand and branded Lighting and Bulb ranges

A Category Buying Assistant, purchasing both own brand and branded product. Key responsibilities included: - Analysing weekly sales and reporting to the business - Liaising with UK and Far East suppliers to source new products, agree pricing, set up on internal systems and place orders - Writing content for web, in store tickets and promotional media - Writing packaging briefs and manuals, working with studio and Far East teams to develop - Logging and tracking SOA and marketing support monies - Supporting Senior Category Buyer with range launches, including product selection and plannogram layouts - Nominating products for promotions and price activity, ensuring accuracy and approving proofs - Carrying out competitor product and pricing analysis as required - Compiling reports, keeping meeting minutes and actioning ad-hoc briefs for the Buying team

Began work within the London offices and relocated to Wakefield in March 2013. A Product Assistant role, primarily looking after 2 key areas. 1.The Special Make Up (SMU) process, which involved the adaptation and development of inline products to suit the needs of specific customers and partners. The main product in this area was balls. Key responsibilities were; - Maintaining the SMU register to manage the progress of each product - Working closely with sales reps, customer, technologists, and supply chain in order to satisfy all requirements and plan feasible delivery - Creating CADs for customer approval and specs for supplier sampling by using Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office - Liaising with Far East suppliers on a daily basis - Approving samples - Managing the SMU request and tracking costs to visualise margin - Passing all relevant detail to Brand Data Inputter in order to ensure successful material creation 2. Assisting with development of the Training Accessory and Bag range from concept to production, with a view to product managing the category within 12 months.

After 5 months in temporary administration role, progressed to Trainee Product Developer (Buyer) on Nursery Interiors, supporting the team from design planning to production. Key responsibilities included; - Competitor shopping and maintaining benchmarking documents - Attending and keeping notes during range review/planning meetings - Sending design packs to relevant suppliers - Maintaining the critical path - Liaising with UK and Far East agents and suppliers, chasing and reviewing samples, lab dips and fabric strike offs - Maintaining the Interiors sample collection - Working closely with B&M, Marketing, Retail, Testing and Warehouse teams - Adding product details to internal systems for sign off and order placement - Carrying out basic QC checks on new range deliveries Also took primary responsibility of Accessories category within the Nursery Interior Department and supported Gift Product Developer with the sourcing and selection of branded books.

Product Development Assistant (Buying) role for University degree placement. Assisted Product Developers from design to production on all Own Brand product categories, including womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear. Key responsibilities were; - Sending design packs to suppliers - Attending fit sessions - Measuring and commenting on samples - Approving test certificates - Liaising with European and Far East suppliers - General office duties Also involved in negotiating prices and shipment dates, placing orders and assisting the Supply Chain Manager with the upkeep of shipment reports. Other highlights to note included a training day at Intertek Testing Lab and attending two Womenswear buying meetings at relevant brand Head Offices

Fashion & Textiles Buying