Liz Wood

• Led and managed the merchandising and product development objectives, sales, margin, and budgets for Casegoods. • Coached, and led a high-performing merchandising team, driving the successful implementation of the strategic merchandising plan. • Effectively communicated the merchandising strategy to senior management, obtaining support and alignment. • Collaborated closely with the VP of Merchandising and other cross-functional departments to ensure the successful execution of business strategies. • Established industry leadership and expertise, leveraging vendor relationships to achieve exclusive and innovative product introductions, ensuring a first-to-market advantage. • Identified and capitalized on market trends, developing unique products that enhanced the assortment and maximized customer appeal. Oversaw the entire product development lifecycle, from initial concept to production, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery. • Traveled extensively to key manufacturing locations in China, Vietnam, and Malaysia, working directly with factories to facilitate product development processes.

• Enhanced forecast accuracy by developing item and category-level projections based on customer data, POS analytics, shipment history, new product rollout data, and upcoming promotions. • Laid the groundwork for company demand projections by devising long-term plans to guide forecasting and collaborating with customers to build relationships with their planning teams. • Generated reports tracking key metrics and identifying market trends while taking a vital role in the Sales and Operations Planning process and developing promotional plans with Sales and Sales Planning.

• Responsible for developing business strategies and seasonal assortment plans to maximize the Ashley HomeStore brand, sales and profits for the Case Goods division • Measured weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales and inventory performance of Categories to identify and communicate business opportunities and risks • Formulated, executed, and recapped in-season pricing strategies – including markdowns and promotions • Identified opportunities and developed new products for categories based on market trends and analysis • Managed and mentored two Assistant Buyers, and one Merchandising Coordinator • Worked closely cross-functional teams; Product Design, Inventory Management, Marketing, Sourcing, Production, and Visual to ensure process is followed and timelines are met • Accountable for delivering sales, gross margin and inventory productivity goals for the Case Goods division

Delivered high-level support to the Director of Case Goods in the buying and merchandising initiatives for six key revenue-generating categories. Developed and implemented strategic procurement and merchandising plans to maximize sales and minimize costs.

Provided influential leadership, coaching, and mentorship to employees and facilitated training programs to maximize the potential of teams; effectively delegated assignments. Delivered world class customer service. - Developed and implemented strategic marketing campaigns which maximized product exposure and increased revenues; managed and maintained inventory control and ensured proper product levels