NATALIE DEVEREUX

Implement a Buying and Merchandising department into Primal, introducing best practice to support the business covering the following areas.

• Range planning.
• Product Structure.
• Intake Planning, phasing (monthly/weekly)
• New and current product launches.
• Category growth and decline.
• Pricing structure, markdown management.
• Market analysis.
• Weekly/monthly product reporting.
• Supplier Management.
• Production lead time management.
• Freight/Logistics management.
• Quality control best practice.
• Support with Marketing strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Optimisation of existing product strategy maximising revenue for key trading events throughout the year, Christmas, Valentine's, Mother’s day.
• Define, plan/organise the seasonal trading calendar.
• Expand and improve core range of products.
• Development of add-on products increasing average order value.
• Plan and coordinate the introduction and development of Plant Range into the business.
• Packaging improvements, packaging development and optimisation of internal product.
• Product inventory management.
• Research and monitoring of competitors.
• Create design/mood boards to aid early design and planning phases.
• Manage and build close relationships with existing and new suppliers, to ensure optimum pricing, quality and delivery at all times.
• Working with internal product quality assurance team to ensure the highest quality product is delivered to customers on an ongoing basis.
• Planning, organising, and attending product location photoshoots.

Progressed from Merchandiser to Merchandising Director. Managing the UK and International Merchandising functions of the business.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Key member of the team during investor presentations, resulting in a multi-million pound deal to sell the business in early 2016 to Tristyle/Equistone.
• Lead the growth of Footwear range from 6% to 13% of business.
• Implementation of a new Product Management System resulting in improved product knowledge between all departments within the business.
• Guided the marketing team to deliver 30% cost savings to the business by reviewing Direct Mail communication, paid search and paid social budgets/performance.
• Introduction of a buying curve, driving sell through from 58% to 67%.
• Worked alongside Whistl to build a new Distribution and Allocation system enabling them to provide a far more dynamic service that they have since further developed for other clients.
• Restructure of the Merchandising team incorporating the North American function of the business resulting in a cost saving of £150K.
• Managed the budgeting for two new Acquisitions into the business circa of £10M supporting growth in the US market.
• Introduction of the Multi Buy offering increasing sales by +60%.
• Key contributor in driving website optimisation strategies, focusing on customer engagement/experience.
• Devised and implemented new collection launches during main sale periods increasing sales margin by 7% points.
• Managing the supply chain of the product range into the business, consulting with suppliers, freight forwarders and the distribution centre managing to reduce costs by £50K over 18 months.
• Key contributor in driving website optimisation strategies, focusing on customer engagement/experience resulting in a 25% increase in conversion rate.
• Collaboration and implementation of KLP (Karl Largerfield Paris) collection driving sales to 9% of business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Management and implementation of the seasonal trading plan, devising product launches along with promotional and seasonal activity.
• Setting of seasonal company sales targets and financial parameters with the CPO/CEO/CFO.
• Responsible for devising, structuring and managing the buying budget/category planning of £70M.
• Analysing sales trends and adjusting product offering and commitment accordingly.
• Responsible for the company inventory position, ensuring all parameters are in line with company targets.
• Analysing customer behavior and spend activity to identify opportunities to increase revenue.
• Working alongside the Chief Product Officer, leading and managing the buying function of the business.
• Managing and ensuring teams are prepared for range selection processes.
• Mentoring, guiding, supporting and motivating the Merchandising team.
• Input into the Marketing strategy, budgeting, and campaigns for the season, ensuring the product range strategy and marketing strategy are aligned.
• Guiding and supporting the marketing team with all marketing activity (Email/Direct Mail/Paid Social/Paid Search)
• Managing product range and ensuring it is presented and ranked accordingly to maximise sales, analysing data, and trends from Google Analytics.
• Member of the Senior Leadership Team, participating and collaborating on all company projects and working closely with the C-suite to deliver business requirements.
• Preparing and delivering board presentations for the Tristyle group.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Stepped up to lead the Merchandising team after the departure of the Merchandising Director.
• Asked to become a member of the Management Team, working alongside senior leaders on business strategy.
• Supported international store openings in Munich, Frankfurt, Chicago and DC with tailored stock packages and range planning, delivering successful launches and on target sales in year 1.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• In partnership with the buying team (and signed off by the CEO) to build and develop the strategic product plan and structure for the range to category level.
• Work alongside the buying team to support and contribute to building the range plan utilizing product / commercial and web/catalogue/store portfolio knowledge.
• Produce detailed range plans for all departments / categories. Planning required at classification level.
• Analyze sales down to size level and utilize as a key driver to increasing sell through whilst reducing commitment.
• Support the buying teams with delivery issues and provide commercial solutions.
• Proactively manage distribution of product through the business to maximize sell through and minimise markdown risk.
• Maximise sales opportunities through repeats / consolidations of stock etc.
• Key member of the management team responsible for tactical, weekly trading decisions to maximise sales whilst controlling stocks.
• Play an active part in driving the promotional activity of the business taking into account profit and stock management.
• Work alongside IT and external suppliers to develop and deliver systems solutions. To be the key point of contact in the team for IT development.
• Manage and develop the merchandising team.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Approached by the CEO to return to LTS to support the Merchandising Director.
• Deputised for the Merchandising Director, supporting the team on multiple projects.
• Supported growth into Germany, integrating a new DE based acquisition with 3 stores and online business adding circa £2 million in sales to the business.

RESPONSIBILITES

As stated below under Senior Merch role

• Career break to focus on family life.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Seconded to the roll of Head of Merchandising for 5 months while a Merchandising Director was recruited into the business.
• Implementation of Boutique Collection into the range in order to increase customer base.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the management of the Formal-wear department.
• Collaborate with Design and Buying to understand trends and areas of growth / decline for the season.
• Produce the financial product plan and detailed line plans for own area. Signs off with Merchandising Director.
• Produce added value analysis to validate and to support decision making in key meetings.
• Worked alongside the Buying and Merchandising Directors as a key contributor to the building of the range.
• Production of range segmentation (cash drivers / images pieces / basics) with Head of Merchandising and buying teams. Ensures range is balanced and in line with plan.
• Challenge range balance / duplication in range through knowledge of the market and analysis.
• Ensure that stock is allocated in line with plan and that sales are maximised through correct replenishment, transfers and consolidations for own area.
• Has on-going focus on maximising full price sell through and minimising terminal stock.
• Supports the buying teams with delivery issues and provide commercial solutions.
• Management and circulation of the company WSSI.
• Maximise sales opportunities through repeats / consolidations of stock etc.
• Produce ad hoc analysis as required by CEO and Merchandising Director
• Responsible for day-to-day management of the 2 direct reports and is a key member of the merchandising team.

Progressed from Allocator to Merchandiser, gaining experience in all aspects of Merchandising.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Managed the introduction of the Petites collection into the business circa of £8m.
• Key member of the project team implementing a new product/retail management system, Mercatus RMIS retail system
• Promoted from Junior to Senior level

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Generate product range plans/line buys from company sales plan and work closely with the buying team to plan the range.
• Manage the stock position to ensure that the stock levels, margin, markdown, terminal stocks are in line with company targets.
• Analyse sales performance to manage stock buys and size ratios.
• Ensure that all information required to maintain the WSSI is updated and accurate.
• Production of markdown proposals and costings.
• Consult with suppliers/buying team ensuring that deliveries are on schedule.
• Initiate store grading tables based on turnover and space.
• Monitor warehouse stocks at line level, ensuring the correct flow of goods through the business.
• Manage, mentor, and professionally develop the Assistant Merchandiser and Allocator on the department.

Assist the Merchandise Manager.

Production of product data and purchase orders.

Report daily/weekly/monthly figures for stores.

Production of invoice debits and credits.

Assist in all office procedures e.g. typing, filing etc.