Louise Brown

* Research, plan and develop product ranges for brands and product categories (textiles/candles/decor/vessels)

* Work collaboratively across design, shipping, planning to source on trend, competitive products and bring them to market (SKU's approx 1,200)

* Develop directly with factories on product, QA, packaging, shipping and day to day life cycle

* Negotiate cost prices ensuring products are competitive with a high level of quality

* Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.

* Working with varied clients to assist with establishing strategic product plans to launch businesses (from conception to production and sales).

* Liaised with customers to better understand their needs and recommend appropriate solutions.

* Researched, developed and advised on implementable marketing and buying strategy options, creating defined plans, events and product ranges.

* Assess, analyse businesses, creating a realistic future forecast to meet business plans

* Prepared presentations to explain revisions, enhancements and process improvements

* Responsible for 22 clearance stores with sales more than $1m weekly, of varied trading names and business models

* Managed and implemented clear pricing strategies with stores increasing profit (35% to 48%+)

* Developed ‘special buys’ with FM 80%+

* Maintained operating margin more than 40%

* Provided strategic direction on store layout to improve store appearance, profit and maximising space

* Designed displays to deliver interactive, engaging, and memorable store experiences for shoppers.

* Completed efficient store resets to prepare store for special promotions and seasonal updates.

* Partnering with a PR company (Pesel & Carr) and independently with small companies, brand who required professional direction (production/marketing/strategy).

* Developed, implemented publicity plans in relevant marketing avenues to garner free PR

* Through meetings at trade fairs, the opportunity to work with small companies who required professional direction strategic planning assistance

* Designed, developed and executed all identification and branding for an online store,

* Managed multiple deadlines across several businesses to meet dynamic needs of multiple clients.

* Managed 18 women’s apparel brands, 6 Private Labels, 11 National Brands and 1 concession

* Developed 3-year strategic plan to rebuild category after 6 yr decline (-40%+)

* Re-launched through management of a large-scale project with Australian Fashion Week

* Sourced product on overseas buying trips, combined samples into ranges of knit, woven, denim and knitwear

* Launched private brands, inclusive of labelling, packaging

* Negotiated all costs, developed direct with factories (exceed FM target by more than 10%)

* Managed, developed a team of 6, mentored a trainee buyer who was successfully promoted

* Mentored a Graduate who was a finalist in the Young Retailer of the Year Awards

* Researched, planned brand strategy, identifying a gap for a new women’s brand

* Created and managed entire project of brand identity, labels, swing tags, font, logo and registration of brand, web designers, graphic artists

* Using knowledge, overseas market trends, research (WGSN), forecast colour, fabrics

* Developed all product into seasonal ranges, selling into David Jones in first season with a PR, marketing plan

* Managed portfolio of Girlswear 3–6, including private label, exclusive and licensed brands

* Increased % range directly through Coles Myer Asia (CMA) from 20% to 60% within 6 months, ahead of targeted 12, increasing FM% from 54% to 68%

* Developed 3-year strategic plan, implemented product, financial plans meeting KPI’s ($80m+)

* Marketing – devised, implemented marketing activities to maximise sales. Launched Hot Chilli Girl range, achieving sell throughs +43% in the first two weeks

* Developed new branding, labelling for private label identity

* People Management – led, influenced, managed team

* Managed various portfolios in women’s apparel, both branded and private brand product development.

* Strategically planned, executed. managed increasing sales, profit, market share ($90m+), sourcing samples, introducing 3 new National Brand ranges

* Developed Club Petites ‘work wear’ private brand, product and branding identification, achieving 57% Profit (BGP) in first 6-month season