Ellie Farrington
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in market trends, communication, and business development. Extensive product knowledge combined with strong relationship management and strategic planning skills. Proven negotiation abilities drive business growth and support organizational objectives.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Licensing Sales Manager
Dress up and Dolls
2023.01 - 2026.06
- Responsible for Dress Up Category strategy and meeting AOP (approx. $5.7M)
- Manage licensee relationships, including joint business planning, marketing activations and tracking financials
- Pitch out business, negotiate licensee trading terms and agree business plans and minimum guarantees
- Work in partnership with Product development team to identity category trends, white space and build product ranges across new content and ever green franchise
- Support Senior Licensing manager on Jakks business by attending global calls, joint business planning meetings and key marketing moments.
- Work closely with retail teams on dress up strategy including exiting DTR business and activating key marketing moments
Licensing sales Manager
Pre school
2020.01 - 2023.01
- Working with Master Toy Licensee Just play on global preschool range and strategy
- Collaborate with marketing and franchise to help grow preschool business across EMEA for Disney
- Attend global calls to align on global pre school strategy while ensure EMEA variances are considered
- Partnering with regional licensee IMC on white space opportunities within the preschool space
- Co ordinate with legal teams to draft licensee terms and agree business plans and minimum guarantee's
- Work in partnership with product development team to identify category trends
Buyer Stationery
Paperchase Products
2018.10 - 2020.01
- Planning and trading; all paper products including notebooks and diaries
- Working alongside the merchandise team on category strategy
- Travelling to Hong Kong and China to meet with key suppliers and visit factories to understand supplier capabilities
- Cost negotiations with suppliers to ensure we are hitting margin targets
- Working with design on new products, making sure we are remaining on trend and catering for all customer demographics
- Critical path management to ensure that all ranges launch on time
- Attending trade shows in Hong Kong, China and Europe to look for new suppliers and any emerging trends
- Frequently reviewing competitors to ensure our pricing is in line with the rest of the market
- Meeting with marketing team to highlight new products and work on launch strategies
- Working with online on making sure our products are showcased on the website in the best way to enhance sales
- Managing and developing Assistant buyers and Buyers Assistant
Buyer: Stationery, Party and Personalisation
Disney
2016.07 - 2018.10
- Trading the department through: Offering the right product at the right price for our consumer whilst meeting margin targets.
- Sourcing new suppliers to grow the Stationery business and ensure we have a strong range and are in line, if not ahead, of key competitors
- Working with Disney Consumer products on the company Disney Party strategy
- Maximising the personalisation potential of the site by looking for new techniques and enhancing visibility on the website
- Founding and enhancing strong relationship with third party personalisation vendor as part of a business strategy to be the home of Personalisation and Gifting
- Attending trade shows in the UK and Europe to meet with existing suppliers and look for key product trends
- Managing and developing Assistant Buyers and Buyers Assistants.
Buyer: Girls Toys/Costumes & Harrods BBB Experience
Disney
2015.01 - 2016.07
- Managing three departments contributing an average of 25-27% of company sales
- Quarterly travel to Los Angeles, focusing on global range selection, sourcing and future product strategy
- Attending Toy Fair in both Nuremburg and London, meeting with Disney licensees to discuss and negotiate current/potential new products, first to market and exclusive opportunities
- Working closely with my Merchandiser on selecting the best range, meeting margin targets and reflecting the franchise in the best possible way to maximise sales
- Managing and developing an Assistant Buyer and two Buyers Assistants
- Building on the success of the Harrods' Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience by creating new and exciting packages
- European travel for Carnival and Store visits.
Buying
Disney
2011.01 - 2015.12
Education
BA (Hons) - English and Sociology
University of Brighton
2006.01 - 2009.01
A–levels - English, Law, History
Oxford and Cherwell valley college
2004.01 - 2006.01
GSCE - undefined
Skills
- Market trend awareness
- Communication proficiency
- Business development
- Product knowledge
- Relationship Management
- Strategic planning
- Negotiation expertise
Other information
References are available on request
Timeline
Licensing Sales Manager
Dress up and Dolls
2023.01 - 2026.06
Licensing sales Manager
Pre school
2020.01 - 2023.01
Buyer Stationery
Paperchase Products
2018.10 - 2020.01
Buyer: Stationery, Party and Personalisation
Disney
2016.07 - 2018.10
Buyer: Girls Toys/Costumes & Harrods BBB Experience
Disney
2015.01 - 2016.07
Buying
Disney
2011.01 - 2015.12
BA (Hons) - English and Sociology
University of Brighton
2006.01 - 2009.01
A–levels - English, Law, History
Oxford and Cherwell valley college
2004.01 - 2006.01