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Category Manager in Chicago IL Resume Michael Edwards

Michael Edwards is a proven Multi-Channel Retail Category Management professional with a track record of developing product strategy through analysis and implementing tactical marketing, merchandising and promotion of products. He maintains complete accountability for sales and margins, rolling financials, inventory forecasts and strategic business plans. Michael has the proven ability to successfully evaluate long-term sales trends, margins, market conditions, consumer and competitor activity. He has succeeded in driving vendor relationships and negotiations to meet sales and revenue goals.

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4K views3 pages

Category Manager in Chicago IL Resume Michael Edwards

Michael Edwards is a proven Multi-Channel Retail Category Management professional with a track record of developing product strategy through analysis and implementing tactical marketing, merchandising and promotion of products. He maintains complete accountability for sales and margins, rolling financials, inventory forecasts and strategic business plans. Michael has the proven ability to successfully evaluate long-term sales trends, margins, market conditions, consumer and competitor activity. He has succeeded in driving vendor relationships and negotiations to meet sales and revenue goals.

Uploaded by

MichaelEdwards1
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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MICHAEL A.

EDWARDS
Oswego, Illinois 60543 (630) 636-6806  [email protected]

R e t a i l C a t e g o r y M a n a g e r
Proven Multi-Channel Retail Category Management professional with a track record of
developing product strategy through analysis and implementing tactical marketing,
merchandising and promotion of products. Maintain complete accountability for sales and
margins, rolling financials, inventory forecasts and strategic business plans. Proven ability
to successfully evaluate long-term sales trends, margins, market conditions, consumer
and competitor activity. Success in driving vendor relationships and negotiations to meet
sales and revenue goals.

P r o f e s s i o n a l P r o f i l e
 Work with Sales and Marketing departments for new product development and
strategic vision to source new products with innovative packaging or concepts that fit
organizational niche market.
 Identify consumer trends which will generate solid recommendations to grow sales for
the category.
 Provide analytical support for internal budgeting and planning sessions; determine
annual forecasts, prepare current category reports, perform pricing surveys and
identify industry trends through SWOT, competitive reviews and retailer reports.
 Identify private label opportunities to enhance current product offering at price points
and quality that fits within product offering; qualifying potential new suppliers for
quality, price and ability to maintain fulfillment schedule.
 Evaluate vendor performance by establishing key vendor performance metrics
including; on time delivery, quality, adequate shelf life and fulfillment levels, drive
improvement in vendor compliance within each metric.
 Drive cost reduction and value enhancement strategies in product cost, freight cost
and payment terms; negotiate maximum marketing and business development funds
including, rebates, co-op, free samples, growth incentives and sales contests.

K e y S k i l l s a n d S t r e n g t h s
Building Business Relationships Marketing
Category Management Processes Negotiate Supplier Terms
Competitor Analysis New Product Introduction
Develop Product Assortments Planning and Forecasting
Ecommerce B2C Merchandising Problem Identification and Solving
Grocery Industry/DSD Strategic Planning and Execution
Margin Analysis and Product Pricing Team Building and Management

P r o f e s s i o n a l H i s t o r y
OfficeMax, Naperville, Illinois (Jan. 2007 to Feb. 2009) – Category Manager,
Office Furniture
 Managed $60MM category, created broad based item assortment, developed
promotional and marketing activity, margin management, inventory and sales
development to support revenue objectives.
 Coordinated with leaders from Marketing, Merchandise Planning, Inventory
Management, and Global Sourcing to ensure new product development and marketing,
merchandising, and promotional plans were executed for maximized profitability.
 Executed website reorganization and eliminated underperforming products for the
launch of the new OfficeMax web site in 2007.
 Created a “special buy” drop ship program to reduce vendors’ excess inventory and
offer our customers exceptional savings on items unique to the OfficeMax web site.
 Reviewed category mix and made adjustments as needed to meet performance goals
Key Accomplishments
 Increased Decorative Accessory sales by 12% by introducing new products,
and negotiated an $180,000 increase in vendor funding for the 2009 catalog.
 Led design and development efforts for 3 private label desk accessory
collections, partnered with global suppliers to secure manufacturing
capability, and saved over $1.2MM by replacing branded collections with
private label products.

Ann’s House of Nuts – Jessup, Maryland (June 2006 to Feb. 2007) - Import
Buyer, Dried Fruit & Nuts
 Led purchasing activities for $150MM in imported products annually for the 2nd largest
buyer of cashews in the world; established strong working relationships with freight
forwarders, customs brokers, steamship lines, trucking companies, and suppliers to
ensure timely and accurate deliveries.
 Negotiated favorable shipping and trucking rates to reduce costs; maintained proper
inventory levels to meet consumer demand, and negotiated additional merchandise
due to increases in sales or promotional activity.
Key Accomplishments
 Saved $500K in transportation costs through aggressive renegotiation
strategies.
 Reduced inventory from 67 days to 59 days.

Black and Decker – Towson, Maryland (June 2005 to Jan. 2006) - Category
Manager
 Managed $480MM category of Air Compressors, Electric Generators, and Pneumatic
Nailers by synthesizing data and insights into category and business reviews.
 Worked collaboratively with channel marketing, field sales and product management to
improve POS growth and margins through consumer insights and behavior.
 Managed a team of four Supply Planners

Ahold USA, Quincy, Massachusetts (1986 to 2005)


Peapod by Giant/Ecommerce Merchandising Manager, (June 2002 to June 2005)
 Managed category buying for entire grocery product line; analyzed POS and website
metrics and sales activities to make determinations for the most effective marketing,
merchandising and promotional strategies designed to increase sales, customer
awareness and product performance.
 Cultivated valuable vendor relationships and negotiated pricing strategies to secure
desired margins and profits.
 Introduced new lines of products from local companies that were unique to Peapod.
 Directed a team of seven Re-Buyers and a Merchandising Assistant.
Key Accomplishments
 Grew Ecommerce business from $23M to $45M in three years, and increased
average order size 18% to $147.
 Negotiated $200K in incremental promotional funds in 2003, and $125K in
2004.
 Improved cost of goods sold by 3% through problem solving and negotiation.

Giant Food, Inc. - Category Buyer (May 2000 to June 2002)


 Completed product performance evaluations to make determination for product
placement and selections based on potential growth and revenue generation
opportunities.
 Interacted with key vendor and retail management personnel to plan promotional and
marketing activities to support product sales.
Key Accomplishments
 Managed $150MM HBC and $120MM Commercial Bakery Buying.
 Researched and recovered over $50K in DSD double billings.
 Selected by Senior Management to train and mentor new category
specialists.

Giant Food, Inc. – Various Store Positions of Increasing Responsibility (1986 to


2000)

E d u c a t i o n / P r o f e s s i o n a l
D e v e l o p m e n t
University of Maryland, University College – B.A. Social Science; 2011 Anticipated
University of Notre Dame, Mendoza School of Business – Graduate Level Certificate,
Economic Value Added
Ahold USA - Certificate, Category Management Process
OfficeMax - Certificate, Marketing and Merchandising Immersion
OfficeMax - Certificate, Managing ATG Commerce

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