ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Kelly
I'm a passionate merchandise planner with a love for process improvements and finding efficiencies in everyday tasks. With a keen handle of Excel and a wealth of knowledge of merchandise planning, I enjoy creating templates that can be used as planning tools which are customized to each client's needs. I love being a planning consultant as I get to tackle different challenges and meet incredible people along the way!
TOP SKILLS
Analytical Skills:
Ability to analyze sales data, market trends, and customer behavior to make informed decisions.
Quantitative Skills:
Proficiency in mathematical and statistical analysis for forecasting demand, setting inventory levels, and optimizing pricing.
Forecasting:
Capability to predict future sales and demand patterns based on historical data and market trends.
Inventory Management:
Experience in managing inventory levels to ensure optimal stock availability while minimizing overstock and stockouts.
Financial Acumen:
Understanding of retail financial metrics such as gross margin, sell-through rates, and inventory turnover to drive profitability.
Technical Proficiency:
Familiarity with merchandise planning software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and data analysis tools.
Attention to Detail:
Ability to pay close attention to details when analyzing data, creating forecasts, and managing inventory.
Communication Skills:
Effective communication with cross-functional teams, including buyers, suppliers, and store managers, to coordinate merchandise planning activities.
Problem-Solving Skills:
Capacity to identify issues in merchandise planning processes and develop solutions to address them efficiently.
Decision-Making Abilities:
Confidence in making strategic decisions related to product assortments, pricing strategies, and inventory allocation.
Adaptability:
Flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions, consumer preferences, and business priorities.
Project Management:
Capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks effectively.
Negotiation Skills:
Strong negotiation skills for dealing with suppliers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to secure favorable terms and pricing.
Collaboration:
Willingness to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including merchandising, marketing, and finance, to achieve common goals.
Retail Industry Knowledge:
Understanding of the retail industry landscape, including competitors, market trends, and consumer behavior, to inform merchandise planning strategies.
EXPERIENCE AS A CONSULTANT
Planning Support
Demand Forecasting | RAD Power Bikes | Utrecht, NL
Created a demand forecasting template to help determine future demand of bikes and the quantity that should be ordered to meet future financial targets. Ran the forecasting for the business for 5 months.
Tableau Creator | Under Armour EMEA | Amsterdam, NL
Supported the analytics team by creating Tableau reports for the Retail and Wholesale planning teams. Created work flows in Tableau Builder to connect data sources before pulling through to visualizations on Tableau online.
General Planning Consultant | Splash of Pink | Connecticut, US
General merchandise planning consultancy to drive the business forward and provide planning processes and procedures to ensure that the right stock is bought. Created In-Season Trading templates to mange re-orders and Returns, as well as an Open-to-Buy template for optimal stock management
Demand Forecasting | Nifty Gifts | Western Cape, ZA
Created forecasting template and sale dashboard to better inform buying process for the eCommerce site.
General Planning Consultant | DC ONE | Gauteng, ZA
Review planning process and procedures to advise on best way forward to drive better profits. Created OTB template for the business to populate so that the correct type and levels of product can be bought to maximize profits and reduce markdowns.
Maternity/Gap Cover
Sr. DTC Planning | Under Armour EMEA | Amsterdam, NL
Filled in as a Senior Planner for an interim role replacements, overseeing the entire merchandise planning processes for DTC brick and mortar stores (both Factory outlets and premium Brand stores) as well as the own & operated Ecommerce site.
Ecommerce Merchandiser | RAD Power Bikes| Utrecht, NL
6 month maternity cover, assisting in creating the annual ecom roadmap, strategy and optimization of the ecommerce merchandising activities. Helped to drive global product launches for the European markets and align merchandising processes to the evolving business model.
Sr. Sales Planner | Under Armour EMEA | Amsterdam, NL
7 month maternity cover, as well as ad hoc interim role replacements for the Wholesale planning team. Covered the entire planning process from pre-season forecasting to in-season monitoring and re-forecasting, as well as strategic input for upcoming demand periods.
In-season Business Planner | Under Armour EMEA | Amsterdam, NL
Paternity cover as well as interim role replacements for the Business Planning team. Analysis of in-season sell-out data from SPS, as well as compiling reports to inform the business on performance and action points that are needed to drive the business forward.
PAST CORPORATE EXPERIENCE
Senior DTC Planner
Sep 2020 - Dec 2021
Under Armour EMEA I Amsterdam, NL
Planning for the Direct-to-Consumer Ecommerce Platform and Own & Operated Full Price stores in EMEA (across all divisions and categories), average yearly sales growth of 75% achieved, managing a $125M portfolio.
Senior Retail Planner
Sep 2016 - Aug 2020
Under Armour EMEA I Amsterdam, NL
Retail merchandise planning (as well as business planning) for Own & Operated Full Price and Outlet retail stores in EMEA, across all divisions and categories.
Merchandise Planner
Jan 2012 - Jul 2016
Truworths International I Western Cape, ZA
A leading South African fashion clothing and accessories retail company. Turnover approximately US$1bn, over 750 stores, mostly in South Africa. Approximately 13k employees. Areas managed include outerwear, fine jewelry and various watch brands, with experience buying and planning watches.
Research Executive
Jan 201o - Dec 2011
Kantar TNS I Western Cape, ZA
Research and strategic based role providing valuable business insights to international clients across all industries.