Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Reem Atako

52 Bishops Avenue, Bromley, Kent,

Summary

An accomplished Senior Buyer & Account Manager with 10+ years experience in leading teams and delivering business growth across global fashion retail and e-commerce brands such as ASOS, Ivy Park, Zalando, eBay, Puma and Ralph Lauren. Well versed in implementing strategies for achieving revenue targets and leading initiatives to achieve commercial objectives. Experienced in working at a senior level to provide creative direction, with a background of imparting expertise related to product development, sourcing and branded buying across a breadth of categories.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Brand Consultant /Senior Product Developer

Freelance
01.2023 - Current
  • Undertaking consultancy work for various companies & brands including ASOS, Adanola, Tala & New Era, Zalando and Represent.
  • Developing strategies to increase sales and market share, introducing new sourcing partners, establishing new product categories, and working on all aspects of product development and brand marketing.
  • Leading the introduction of new collections and setting seasonal creative direction appropriately.

Senior Buyer

ASOS.COM
12.2019 - 01.2023
  • Established and defined two WW/MW departments over four years, both exceeding company growth targets.
  • Led the creation and implementation of seasonal creative strategies, reporting directly to the WW Director.
  • Create seasonal critical path and design brief, detailing repeats, updates and new styles by category, block & price.
  • Developed 900+ options annually with the Design Team across activewear, athleisure, and accessories categories.
  • Created and implemented critical paths and the annual sports retail calendar of events to meet requirements.
  • Analysed and traded departments, frequently working without merchandising support.
  • Collaborated with the Planning Department on OTB management and range assortment to achieve financial targets.
  • Recruited and managed a team of four, resulting in five promotions and two successful probation completions.
  • Independently designed 20% of the department’s SKU count, creating ASOS exclusives and styles to fill commercial opportunities.
  • Frequently traveled internationally to Europe, Turkey, China, the USA, and domestically. Visited showrooms and trade shows, sourced factories, developed products, conducted comparative shopping, and gained insights into country-specific customers.

Senior Buyer

Ivy Park
06.2016 - 12.2019
  • Led the Buying Department with a team of 2 Assistant Buyers and 2 Buyers’ Assistants to achieve all targets / KPIs for a company with a turnover of £37m p.a.
  • Managed procurement and development of products across the casualwear, activewear and accessories categories.
  • Worked with the Creative Director and Beyoncé’s Styling Team, to ensure execution of a fashion forward and profitable range in line with Beyoncé’s vision for each collection.
  • Devised and implemented creative, business strategies, and presented seasonal ranges to the Parkwood Team, Creative Director and Sir Philip Green of the Arcadia Group.
  • Worked with the Marketing Team and Creative Director to ensure all product needs were met and available for the company’s seasonal look books and global campaigns.
  • Negotiated prices and terms with suppliers to support business objectives, and worked closely with merchandising, trading and planning teams to create timely and exciting ranges for global partners.
  • Manage & drive the SMU business (20% business) working closely with merchants to brief and quantify any SMU requests, ranging them to other strategic accounts to maximize productivity.
  • Acting US account manager (30% business), presented strategy and seasonal collections in sales meetings to 20+ global partners across the UK, Europe and USA, including JD Sports, Nordstrom and Lady Footlocker.

Fashion Account Development Manager

Ebay.com
06.2015 - 06.2016
  • Managed a category with £30m of annual sales and reported in to the Director of Soft Goods.
  • Contributed to development and implementation of the fashion strategy with the Merchandising Team, including optimising the brand mix, creating a calendar of events and advising on visual merchandising as well as social media.
  • Created, developed and implemented strategic business growth plans in partnership with key fashion merchants, and undertook monitoring and analysis of market trends as well as competitor activities.
  • Developed new product opportunities as well as existing ranges, deployed marketing campaigns and advised on promotional activities to drive commercial growth.
  • Negotiated contract terms in partnership with merchants and eBay’s internal finance and legal teams.

Education

Merchandising And Buying Intensive Course

London College of Fashion
2008

BSc (Hons) - Management & Marketing

Royal Holloway, University of London
2003

Skills

  • Trend Analysis
  • Vendor Management
  • Product Sourcing
  • Strategic Planning
  • Team Management
  • Budget Management

Timeline

Brand Consultant /Senior Product Developer

Freelance
01.2023 - Current

Senior Buyer

ASOS.COM
12.2019 - 01.2023

Senior Buyer

Ivy Park
06.2016 - 12.2019

Fashion Account Development Manager

Ebay.com
06.2015 - 06.2016

Merchandising And Buying Intensive Course

London College of Fashion

BSc (Hons) - Management & Marketing

Royal Holloway, University of London

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