Laura McCarney

Maternity, newborn and children's portrait photographer, serving the greater Philadelphia area.

* Develop allocation strategies for Men's Apparel including Men's Branded, our Private Label. I have also allocated Women's and Men's Athletic with Villa * Allocate product from distribution center to over 100 stores * Ensure proper in-stock levels for basic replenishment items * Analyze business trends by store * Performing a detailed analysis and planning for the company’s e-commerce initiative * Ensure ordering for new store locations delivers appropriate merchandise levels * Determine inventory transfer opportunities between locations * Be the point of contact for store questions regarding merchandise questions comments or concerns * Taking the time for store visits to visit stores and talk to employees and make sure they are getting what they need from store support * Completing Ladder plans and distributing to teams to discuss plans, open to buys, business trend, go forward initiatives

*Gather product information and collaborate with marketing and merchandising to decide which products should be featured in our numerous weekly, monthly and grand opening advertisements * Participate in proofing process for ensuring accuracy * Participate in all meetings to ensure proper timelines are met and continuously follow up with team members (including senior leaders) to ensure key milestones are accomplished in order to meet deadlines * Manage the execution and completion of all print advertising campaigns * Responsible for moving jobs through the Marketing/Advertising department in a fast-paced environment from inception through completion * Responsible for determining and executing sales projections, forecasts and trend analysis to all internal and external stakeholders. This is to ensure all products featured in the advertisements will be in stores to ensure customer satisfaction * Determine store inventory plans and goals for entire chain of 800 plus stores based on sales, trend, climate, forecasts, customer demographic and more * Manage and track progress of projects by working with buyers, Supply Chain and Replenishment Managers, Transportation, Distribution, Analysts and vendors

*Conduct ongoing analysis of sales trends, merchandise assortment, color/sizing, store inventory performance as well as geography, demographics and consumer profiles to: * Analyze size selling and develop store-size profiles * Create size grids to support the buy recommendations * Analyze business at a store level. This entails paying extremely close attention to detail, making recommendations, reviewing findings and collaborating with buyer, planner, divisional planner and VP * Recommending flow patterns and creating assortments of merchandise to 500+ stores * Understanding financial plans, profitability and inventory performance * Visits BCF stores regularly to focus on inventory levels, fixture density and to provide feedback to buying and planning team * Conduct store-level analysis to support the development of key company/division/department initiatives and micro-merchandising strategies that are integrated into the allocation process * Create/modify store-level model stock targets to optimize sales and inventory productivity * Initiated and maintained several reports with marketing to ensure product featured on the website and advertisements would be in store for customers * Responsible for training several Allocators. It was also with great honor I was nominated to be part of the internship program this past summer and worked with a college intern guiding him through his internship process at BCF

The role of Merchandise Allocator allows me to bring my passion for fashion as well as marketing/fashion experience and education to the table. In this position I am responsible for the daily decisions that will influence sales in over 400 nationwide stores. I analyzing market trends and conditions, store inventory levels, product content, demographic requirements and make sound allocation decisions allowing strategic planning for the assortment of merchandise in all store locations Daily Responsibilities: * Analyze sales and market trends * Research and anticipate customer buying patterns * Develop distribution strategies that will apply to multi product classification * Act as liaison between distribution center and buyers, making crucial distribution decisions * Apply and develop analytical, strategic and creative problem solving skills * Run and analyze several reports based on vendor, class, inventory, demographic, style, need and more to interpret who could benefit best from allocations

* Responsible for marketing Speedpro Imaging and bringing in and maintaining new and existing clients. Used Search Engine Optimization to create brand awareness. * Focused on brand awareness by attending networking events, relationship building with local business and distributing mailers and email blasts * Initiated, created and maintained all means of social media including Facebook, Twitter, blog, company website, press releases and wrote a bimonthly newsletter. * Developed and executed SEO strategies * Focused on building and maintaining vendor relationships * Implemented marketing strategies to obtain and retain clients, CRM efficient * Overlooked production schedule and made sure deadlines were meet from a production stand point * Managed marketing and production budget * Incorporated customer segmentation/profiling, as well as CRM and acquisition strategies

* Provided sales and marketing support to drive revenue and foster new and existing client relationships. * Designed and maintained internal communications and recruiting collateral to preserve brand awareness across 120+ global locations * Designed and executed monthly email blast communications to new and existing clients * Developed various marketing collateral including brochures, direct mailers, invitations, print and online advertisements, sales slicks, trade show displays, posters, billboards, and other promotional items * Developed direct and target marketing initiatives to link company to prospective clients by managing marketing automation/lead generation tools and identifying key markets for public relations and advertising opportunities * Developed and designed marketing campaigns including new product launches, e-mail blasts, direct mail, collateral material, print and online advertising * Assisted the sales team in research in many areas such as Telecommunications, Commercial/B2B, Education, Financial/Banking, Government, Healthcare, Insurance, Retail, Technology, Transportation, Utilities and more * Coordinated speaking engagements for industry conferences and collaborated with top level executives to create presentation materials in order to foster new and existing client relationships * Managed over 100 high-revenue sales presentations for large, domestic and international companies by developing strategy with sales and operations teams and building presentation materials to drive revenue * Assisted the sales team in research in many areas such as Telecommunications, Commercial/B2B, Education, Financial/Banking, Government, Healthcare, Insurance, Retail, Technology, Transportation, Utilities and more.

* Proposed several events at Nordstrom to increase sales and foot traffic in store. Also, followed up with upper management by contacting regional managers suggesting alternative ways to increase sales volume * Actively participated in shopping the competition. Researched styles, color and price points ensuring Nordstrom could efficiently compete with the competition * Created floor plans with the Visual Merchandising Team that would create an eye catching and welcoming feeling in the store to increase foot traffic