Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Computer Skills
Timeline
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Meredith K. Soderstrom

Somerset

Summary

Proven Brand Manager with a track record of driving over $3 million in annual sales at Ralph Lauren, leveraging strong analytical skills and exceptional communication to foster relationships and enhance brand positioning. Excelled in inventory management and visual merchandising, achieving significant sales growth and mentoring teams for success.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Brand Manager

Ralph Lauren
09.2021 - Current
  • Represent all Ralph Lauren brands with a total sales volume of over $3 million as the primary point of contact within third party wholesale partners.
  • Analyze business trends across all platforms and identify priorities and opportunities with action plan.
  • Provide clear communication and execution to store partners, vendor paid staff and effectively execute company standards.
  • Communicate business needs and feedback to internal and external partners by analyzing daily sales reports.
  • Drive retail performance through disciplined business management.
  • Planning and execution of floor plans based on sales trends and individual store performance.
  • Building and maintaining effective store partnerships.

Senior Merchandise Coordinator

VF Corporation/Nautica Sportswear
11.2003 - 09.2021
  • Manage and drive business of Boston and Providence Macy's department stores totaling over $3 million in annual sales volume.
  • Collaborate and build positive relationships with Store Managers, Merchandise Managers, and visual teams to grow business and resolve store issues.
  • Merchandise product, negotiate floor space, and maintain presentation of in-store shops to ensure optimum presentation on sales floor and to convey brand integrity.
  • Educate and train accounts on product, merchandising, and styling best practices through training and seasonal seminars.
  • Request reorders, transfers, and process all return to vendor merchandise. Conduct analyses of market segments, including identification of key growth drivers, opportunities, and competitive products.
  • Increased year over year sales results from to 2014 to 2015 in collaboration with Macy's District Merchants including optimizing brand awareness, planning events, and promoting merchandise.

Merchandise Coordinator

S. Schwab Company - Ralph Lauren Childrenswear
03.2002 - 11.2003
  • Responsible for stores of an annual sales volume of $2.3 million in the New England market.
  • Analyzed business to the door level to determine specific store needs while working closely with Account Manager responsible for the retail account.
  • Reviewed brand positioning and real estate and negotiated for better space and location as needed.
  • Created and implemented marketing and special events in conjunction with store sale events to further enhance brand positioning.
  • Trained and mentored five college interns over the course of three semesters. This included hiring, managing, and providing feedback on performance to ensure students were representing the Ralph Lauren brand effectively.

Merchandise Coordinator - Footwear Division

Tommy Hilfiger USA
01.2000 - 03.2002
  • Merchandised women's and men's footwear in accordance to merchandising standards.
  • Completed weekly store visit recaps detailing accomplishments, making requests, and highlighting opportunities for growth based on individual store performances.
  • Worked with store management to ensure all product was represented on the selling floor, markdowns were being implemented, and fixture placement was satisfactory.
  • Trained sales associates each season to maximize product knowledge and sales.

Assistant Buyer

Filene's Basement
07.1998 - 12.1999
  • Assisted in the selection of product assortment of ladies accessories including sunglasses, bath and body products, gloves, scarves, hats, and belts.
  • Analyzed costs, set pricing for assisted lines and placed master purchase orders.
  • Created and updated assortment planning sheets.
  • Tracked sales trends and store sales by analyzing sell-throughs and turn on a weekly basis.
  • Monitored shipping progress to ensure timely delivery and selling.

Assistant Buyer/Merchandise Analyst – 9&Co. Retail Division

Nine West Group
01.1997 - 07.1998
  • Allocated category specific footwear to the store level based on sales trend.
  • Developed a monthly training and company trend newsletter that was distributed to field support.
  • Accumulated, analyzed, and reported sales information to present to the buying team.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Consumer Studies with a concentration in Apparel Marketing

University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA

Skills

  • Critical Thinking Ability
  • Planogram Design
  • Stock Management
  • Effective Time Management
  • Product Presentation Skills
  • Strong Verbal Communication

Computer Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office; Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Zoom.

Timeline

Brand Manager

Ralph Lauren
09.2021 - Current

Senior Merchandise Coordinator

VF Corporation/Nautica Sportswear
11.2003 - 09.2021

Merchandise Coordinator

S. Schwab Company - Ralph Lauren Childrenswear
03.2002 - 11.2003

Merchandise Coordinator - Footwear Division

Tommy Hilfiger USA
01.2000 - 03.2002

Assistant Buyer

Filene's Basement
07.1998 - 12.1999

Assistant Buyer/Merchandise Analyst – 9&Co. Retail Division

Nine West Group
01.1997 - 07.1998

Bachelor of Science - Consumer Studies with a concentration in Apparel Marketing

University of Massachusetts

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Meredith K. Soderstrom