Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Leah Tulk

Melbourne,VIC

Summary

Dynamic Buying Assistant with proven success at Kmart, adept in vendor management and stakeholder communication. Excelled in achieving KPIs and enhancing product quality through effective range reviews. Recognized for strong adaptability and problem-solving skills, driving efficiency in fast-paced retail environments while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance. Seasoned Buying Assistant with background in retail and fashion industries. Experience includes identifying buying trends, negotiating vendor contracts, and maintaining strong supplier relationships. Strengths include keen analytical skills, strategic planning ability, and proficiency in handling purchase orders. Notable for improving supply chain efficiency and reducing procurement costs in previous roles. Customer-oriented, strategic-thinking procurement professional with several years of experience in building relationships, cultivating partnerships, retaining top accounts and growing profit channels. Multi-tasking and self-motivated leader with expertise on expanding network connections, persuasively buying introducing products, implementing pricing/merchandising models, inventory control and projections, territory development and revealing customer needs to deliver solutions.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Buying Assistant

IsAlbi
Melbourne, VIC
03.2023 - 06.2025
  • Managed homewares portfolio, including furniture, decor, wall art, fragrance, and lighting.
  • Provided timely support to three Buyers across all portfolio aspects, including administration.
  • Built effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders as primary contact for queries.
  • Assisted in range review process by managing new line submissions and product registration.
  • Created PowerPoint presentations for Sales Representatives showcasing full product range each season.
  • Coordinated seasonal catalogue from draft to final layout, ensuring accurate item representation.
  • Managed samples for range sign-offs and quality assurance to maintain product standards.
  • Achieved KPIs such as data accuracy and inventory budgets while maintaining system standards.

Buying Assistant

Harris Scarfe Australia
Melbourne, VIC
12.2010 - 03.2023
  • Kitchen & Laundry Appliances, Personal Care Appliances (Electrical) / Christmas / Impulse / Heating & Cooling / Travelware / Kitchenware & Cookware / Tabletop / Home Decor / Manchester / Men’s Apparel
  • Provide efficient and timely support to the Buyer covering all aspects of the portfolio and administration.
  • Build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, acting as the contact point for store, supplier and customer queries.
  • Assist in the range review process and presentations including creating PowerPoint presentations for the Visual Merchandise team for the beginning of each season showing our full range and a guide to how to execute the new ranges in store.
  • Coordinate advertising submissions from original draft through to final layout sign off. Consisting of building a mudmap and brief, providing samples or uploading images and proofing pages.
  • Manage samples for advertising and quality assurance purposes.
  • Successfully achieve set KPI’s such as; sales budget, calculated income budgets, and stock turn and inventory budgets.
  • Maintain all system and process standards such as; new line registration, advertising integrity, audit compliance, and confidential trading agreements.
  • Work closely with the planning team to ensure stores have the correct core ranges as well as catalogue stock quantities.
  • Ensure the team adheres to applicable compliance requirements especially with marketing activity.
  • Assist with annual Road Show presentations to store managers and regional managers and Conference events show casing new ranges and strategies with suppliers and management.
  • Manage all additional promotional pricing for stores as a whole and for individual stores.
  • Assist in option plan and range review presentations, i.e. price architecture.
  • Assist with post seasonal reviews, i.e. competitor pricing.
  • In this extremely fast-paced role, time and task management is critical. I was required to utilise skills such as, the ability to build solid internal and external relationships, adaptability to constantly changing situations, being able to multi-task and to deliver required outcomes accurately and in a timely manner. Due to the competitive nature of the retail industry with strong competitors, my role also requires a high level of confidentiality and discretion, especially in relation to our marketing activity. I also completed a 2-day comprehensive course, The Range Building Challenge to further develop my knowledge and skills.
  • Attended trade shows and supplier meetings as required.
  • Managed relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality standards were met.
  • Resolved any issues related to purchasing such as incorrect orders or delayed deliveries.
  • Created documents outlining specific requirements for requested items from vendors.
  • Actively participated in cross-functional teams to improve efficiency in the supply chain process.
  • Worked closely with other departments to identify purchasing needs and requirements.
  • Traced missing material and shipments through vendor and customer communications.
  • Applied well-developed communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills to build effective working relationships with vendors and partners.
  • Drove customer feedback to deliver information to management for corrective action.
  • Investigated and analyzed client complaints to identify and resolve issues.

Buying Assistant

Kmart
Melbourne, VIC
08.2003 - 12.2010
  • Sports & Fitness / Boys & Activity Toys
  • Provide efficient and timely support to the Buyer covering all aspects of the portfolio and administration
  • Build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, acting as the contact point for both store and supplier queries
  • Assist in range review and supplier review preparations
  • Coordinate advertising submissions from original draft through to final layout sign off
  • Manage samples for advertising and quality assurance purposes
  • Successfully achieve set KPI’s such as; sales budget, calculated income budgets, and stock turn and inventory budgets
  • Maintain all system and process standards such as; new line registration, advertising integrity, audit compliance, and confidential trading agreements
  • Process and follow up markdown/shrinkage income from suppliers
  • Ensure the team adheres to applicable compliance requirements regarding Ethical Sourcing
  • In this fast-paced role, time and task management was critical, and utilised skills which included the ability to build solid internal and external relationships, adaptability to constantly changing situations, and deliver required outcomes accurately and in a timely manner. Due to the competitive nature of the retail industry with strong competitors, my role also required a high level of confidentiality and discretion, especially in relation to our marketing activity.
  • Attended trade shows and supplier meetings as required.
  • Managed relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality standards were met.
  • Conducted market research on new products or services offered by suppliers.
  • Created documents outlining specific requirements for requested items from vendors.
  • Actively participated in cross-functional teams to improve efficiency in the supply chain process.
  • Worked closely with other departments to identify purchasing needs and requirements.
  • Applied well-developed communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills to build effective working relationships with vendors and partners.
  • Drove customer feedback to deliver information to management for corrective action.
  • Investigated and analyzed client complaints to identify and resolve issues.

Allocation Coordinator

Kmart
Melbourne, VIC
08.2002 - 08.2003
  • Ensure /co-ordinate all advertised stock was in all 180+ stores prior to the start of the catalogue/sale timely, etc
  • Analyse historical sales data by item to ensure the appropriate allocation of stock per store for future adverts
  • Point of contact for stores and suppliers regarding orders
  • Proactively follow overseas and local orders to ensure they are on track to meet the advertising timelines
  • Build strong networks with all areas of contact – buying team, marketing, planners, suppliers, etc
  • Assisted with resolving customer complaints related to ordering issues such as incorrect item selection or late deliveries.
  • Analyzed purchasing trends based on customer order history to identify areas needing improvement or optimization.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with vendors to ensure timely ordering and delivery of products.
  • Coordinated communication between customers, sales representatives, warehouse personnel, and vendors regarding order status.
  • Monitored stock levels to ensure availability of items in the warehouse at all times.

Sales Assistant/Product Specialist

Myer
Melbourne, VIC
08.1997 - 08.2002
  • Collaborated with corporate headquarters on special projects for store promotions and advertising initiatives.
  • Implemented loss prevention strategies to reduce shrinkage rates effectively.
  • Provided comprehensive training on product knowledge, POS systems operation, and customer service techniques.
  • Maintained accurate inventory records, monitored stock levels, and placed orders as necessary.
  • Assisted customers in selecting products tailored to individual needs and preferences.
  • Inspected merchandise regularly to ensure quality control prior to stocking shelves.
  • Resolved customer complaints professionally while adhering to company policies.

Relocation Consultant

Corporate Relocation Services
Melbourne, VIC
04.1997 - 06.2000

Store Manager

Set Up (Ladies Fashion)
04.1995 - 03.1997

Bookkeeper / Accounts Payable/ Accounts Receivable

Gowings Grace Darling Hotel
02.1993 - 03.1995

Education

VCE -

Billanook College
Mooroolbark, VIC
01.1992

Skills

  • Microsoft Office Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • AX & SAP Mainframe online database
  • Cumulus, Admation, PMP One and Knowledgewell catalogue/marketing systems & image libraries
  • Vendor management
  • Product registration
  • Quality assurance
  • Range review
  • Market research
  • Stakeholder communication
  • Visual merchandising
  • Presentation creation
  • Advertising coordination
  • Time management
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Problem solving
  • Supplier management
  • Supplier relationship management
  • Product knowledge
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Quality control
  • Task prioritization
  • Vendor relationship management
  • Communications
  • Stakeholder management
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Time management abilities
  • Request for quotation
  • Supplier liaison
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Vendor relations

References

Referees are available on request

Timeline

Buying Assistant

IsAlbi
03.2023 - 06.2025

Buying Assistant

Harris Scarfe Australia
12.2010 - 03.2023

Buying Assistant

Kmart
08.2003 - 12.2010

Allocation Coordinator

Kmart
08.2002 - 08.2003

Sales Assistant/Product Specialist

Myer
08.1997 - 08.2002

Relocation Consultant

Corporate Relocation Services
04.1997 - 06.2000

Store Manager

Set Up (Ladies Fashion)
04.1995 - 03.1997

Bookkeeper / Accounts Payable/ Accounts Receivable

Gowings Grace Darling Hotel
02.1993 - 03.1995

VCE -

Billanook College

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Leah Tulk