Mackenzie Karsten
Boston,MA
Summary
Professional with deep experience in commerce, prepared for next challenge in industry. Demonstrated skills in inventory management, pricing strategies, and vendor relations. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Known for reliability and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Upholstery Merchant, Birch Lane
Wayfair
Boston, MA
08.2020 - Current
- Delivered 40% YoY gross revenue growth for the Upholstery portfolio by conducting comprehensive competitor line reviews and executing a high-velocity curtain sprint that added 315+ SKUs to close critical assortment gaps.
- Managed a multi-tier portfolio of 30+ Made-to-Order and Quick Ship suppliers, negotiating wholesale cost structures and mitigating inventory pipeline volatility to secure margin health.
- Partnered with retail teams to optimize store footprints, designing associate training programs and implementing an agile floor-swap strategy that maximized revenue per square foot.
- Co-developed an advanced 3D digital draping and rendering pipeline for high-priority fabrications, projected to deliver a +1% to +4% lift in conversion rate.
Product Development Intern
TJX Companies
Framingham, MA
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Worked within the entire adult’s product development department reviewing counter samples, bulk and lab dip submits, and TOPs to ensure they were of the highest quality for our customer.
- Familiarized myself with TJX’s PLM software, assigning color codes, running seasonal and product line sheets, allocating appropriate vendors, and updating BOM with notes and measurements.
- Presented a conclusive final project to the product development executives at TJX, on incorporating TJX’s business model into the Metaverse.
Product Development Intern
TJX Companies
Framingham, MA
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Assisted with developing competitive analysis’s on upcoming trends, costing excel sheets, licensing contracts, WIP and Pre-WIP files, line boards, and line sheets throughout the production lifecycle of the season.
- Communicated weekly with offshore offices and vendors on new designs and review sell throughs of the week/month.
- Researched and presented a conclusive project on the future of adaptive clothing and costumes for consumers with disabilities.
Senior Director’s Intern
Kent State Women’s Center
Kent, OH
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Boosted social media engagement by 120% by designing and executing a high-frequency content strategy , publishing 5 times weekly across Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
- Spearheaded 10+ community events that bridged connections between students, faculty, and staff while driving campus awareness of global and domestic gender-based discrimination.
- Revamped and launched the campus "Professional Closet" initiative, providing students with accessible, curated professional attire for interviews, presentations, and career advancement.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising
Kent State University
Kent, OH05-2024
Kent State Annual Fashion Show
- Senior Co-Producer, May 2023 – present
- Junior Co-Producer, January – May 2023
- Presentation Stylist, January 2021 – May 2022
RETAIL EXPERIENCE
- GRACYLANE BOUTIQUE February 2023 – Present
- RALPH LAUREN SALES ASSOCIATE January 2022 - April 2022
- JUL’S BOUTIQUE SALES ASSOCIATE June 2020 - January 2022
- AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS AMBASSADOR. November 2020 - August 2021
Timeline
Product Development Intern
TJX Companies
06.2023 - 08.2023
Senior Director’s Intern
Kent State Women’s Center
01.2023 - 05.2024
Product Development Intern
TJX Companies
06.2022 - 08.2022
Upholstery Merchant, Birch Lane
Wayfair
08.2020 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising
Kent State University