Lauren McMillan

• I was recruited by Mysale to work remotely and grow their Own Buy division, sourcing product through international channels
• Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing. Securing exclusive brand offerings for our customers.
• Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities, along with papertrails. Sanitized invoices & ensuring products are compliant.
• Analyse sales data and market trends to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Liaise with brokers for the most competitive shipping rates & consolidating orders to achieve cost savings.
• Collaborated with internal departments to better understand needs and determine purchasing requirements.
• Maintained key item stock levels and wrote or expedited purchase orders
• Review the open to buy process, analysing sales to stock performance.
• Schedule in campaigns, review performance and mark down accordingly to achieve company's sell through targets and profit margins.

• Secured brand distribution in a new territory, representing Steve Madden, Guess & United Colors of Benetton
• Oversee and maintain region sales and service support
• Develop and expand relationships with customers
• Forecast orders and range releases, in store merchandising
• Create brand awareness
• Developed and maintained comprehensive understanding of products, services and competitors to enhance sales presentations.

• Responsible for leading the buying team and driving the development and execution of the company's strategy
• Oversee the buying and allocation across all categories to achieve the company's sales and profit targets.
• Set up an international sourcing office in LA, implementing a 3PL and scaled a buying team.
• Lead the merchandise team, providing guidance, support and direction to ensure the team works effectively and efficiently.
• Analyse sales data and market trends to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Manage vendor relationships with key brands, negotiating terms and pricing.
• Responsible for sending out weekly sales and sell-through reports to the wider business.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to create and implement clear procedures
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, vendors and internal teams.
• Work closely with the marketing team to develop and execute promotional campaigns and events to drive sales

• Identifying commercial opportunities for category expansion including sourcing and developing new products locally and internationally
• Engaging and sourcing key suppliers, to secure the best brands and exclusive offerings
• Managing and engaging with key stakeholders, internally and externally to build effective outcomes
• Actively negotiate the best possible trading terms and prices
• Ensure execution of sales plan from samples, photography, merchandising to delivery
• Ensure timely import of products and stock management, ensuring fulfillment of customer demand
• Actively manage and monitor sales plan to achieve company goals and KPI's.
• Liaise with marketing to maximise sales opportunities and promotional activity.

· Controlling inventory and assist with product selection

· Run daily and monthly reports to track sales

· Data entry of new products, pricing and product descriptions

· Managing OTB

· Manage supplier relationships

· Work to tight deadlines

· Coordinating samples and deliveries between the studio, suppliers and warehouse

· Ensue all brand information, key features and benefits are relayed to producers and presenters

· Assist Buyer on sales budget and replenishment orders when required

· Forecasting upcoming trends, researching magazines and attending trade shows

· Management of advertising and promotional calendar for the category

· Assist customer service with any enquiries relating to product

· Production and fit approvals

· Knowledge of QC, product compliance and Australian Standards

• Set up seasonal styles and enter sales orders from various channels (indent, top up, mail order, staff misc, overseas & outlets)
• Sales analysis of goods oversold
• Allocate stock to orders from production and picking lists ensuring priority customers orders are fulfilled by moving stock
• Liaise with the warehouse – oversee dispatch, processing orders to the warehouse, problem follow ups
• Process returns – create credit adjustment notes
• Excess stock management
• Answering customer enquiries via phone and email
• Setting up and allocating barcodes
• Sending samples to publicists for magazine editorials and promotions
• Monitoring daily stock levels
• Liaising with overseas makers to chase up production samples