STRATEGIC BRAND BUILDER

Summary

Carrie Tahler
I am a results driven merchant and e-commerce strategist with omni-channel expertise in buying and merchandise planning. As an engaging and collaborative leader, I have a passion for uniting and developing teams to maximize sales and profitability. Driving business through new vendor discovery and developing effective pricing strategies is a strength.

Most Recently I managed the global wholesale business for Alex and Ani. Prior to joining Alex and Ani I spent many years as a head merchant for Saks Fifth Ave where I launched 2 digital businesses, one on the existing Saks platform and the other a new platform launch of Saksoff5th.com. Before joining Saks I spent a year leading and developing a digital startup business for woman’s accessories at Ideeli the year the company was named the fastest growth company by the Inc. 500. Prior to this I held many merchandising positions at large retail organizations; Lord and Taylor, Bloomingdales and Loehmanns.

I am known for building brands and empowering teams to achieve company goals through planning, partnerships and strategy. I am very entrepreneurial and I have the unique experience of growing and developing businesses on many platforms; digital, retail and wholesale. My true passion includes building ideas and strategies for growth businesses within the fashion, health and wellness industries. My biggest motivation is the energy from working with people.

Timeline

  1. -
    VP, DMM - Macy's Backstage, Macy's

    Currently oversee a team of 25 with 9 direct reports in leading and managing the merchandising strategy across all of home as well as women's accessories, jewelry, handbags, shoes and beauty.
    Currently the focus is on building upon white space and growth opportunities within the off price market through expanding our vendor matrix and intensifying the private brand assortment across all FOBs.
    I am working to capture market share in partnership with Macys with a focus on diversity within our assortment offering.
    I serve as a mentor to high potential talent with a focus on creating an engaging culture throughout the virtual world.
    Agility is the key to understanding the changing environment and being able to quickly pivot into trending businesses and shift strategies to respond to customer demands.

  2. -
    Consultant and Co-Founder, CLTea Consulting
  3. -
    National Sales Director , Luca and Danni
  4. -
    Planner- Womens Shoes and handbags, Bloomingdales


    ♣ Oversaw financial plans for a $35MM handbag business.
    ♣ Worked on a weekly open to buy in order to execute all business opportunities.
    ♣ Analyzed and maximized all brand assortments at the store level to balance stock position on an ongoing basis.
    ♣ Instrumental in rolling out a new brand strategy concept in the shoe department which focused on building key brand assortments.
    ♣ Planner/ buyer relationship- responsible for buying and placing key item buys to drive seasonal sales.
    ♣ Partnered with the merchant team in organizing and presenting all seasonal financial strategies.

     

  5. -
    Buyer - Fashion Jewelry, Bloomingdales

    Responsible for all strategic planning and execution, sales and trend forecasting, marketing and product development for the shoes, handbags and trend jewelry categories in stores.

    ♣ Managed $20MM annual sales volume in fashion and sterling silver jewelry.
    ♣ Initiated and introduced the Aqua private label brand program to be more in line with the growing a
    ♣ Evaluated the current brand matrix to build and maximize opportunities.
    ♣ Created and executed merchandise and marketing strategies including advertising and sales promotion.
    ♣ Developed floor plans for new store layouts.

     

  6. -
    Buyer - Handbags, Jewelry and Watches, Loehmanns

    Responsible for product procurement, budget management, product development, assortment planning and execution for the handbag, jewelry and watch business in stores. Negotiated buys up to 80% off original pricing.

    ♣ Strategically rebranded the jewelry and watch business. Resulted in a $10MM revenue growth.
    ♣ Developed category plans which increased business profitability while keeping assortments in line; i.e., grew a high margin fashion jewelry business to 55% of the total from 10% of the total.
    ♣ Collaborated with in store operations and visual merchandising on new store fixtures to appropriately merchandise the growing business.
    ♣ Took on the additional responsibility for handbags for a total annual responsibility of $40MM.

     

     

  7. -
    Vice President, Accessories, Ideeli

    Directed all aspects of sales, inventory management, and gross margin as well as event curation, layout, editorial and follow through.

    ♣ Developed a strategy for the accessories division which resulted in a $20MM increase, leading the company to being awarded the fastest growing company in 2010 by the Inc. 500 magazine.
    ♣ Trained and developed senior buyers, associate buyers and assistants to drive a strong team oriented environment.
    ♣ New Category Expansion through strengthening existing relationships while developing new ones.
    ♣ Developed strong marketing skills through collaboration with the marketing team.
    Negotiated exclusivity with brands while thinking outside of the box with others which differentiated site from competition

  8. -
    Senior Buyer – E-comm/Accessories/Shoes/Handbags, Saks Fifth Ave

    Launched and strategically managed the growth and development of FashionFix on Saks.com and Saksoff5th.com.

    ♣ Developed strategic vision for launch of Off5th.com across shoes, handbags, accessories, jewelry, home and beauty.
    ♣ Promoted 2 Merchandise Assistants to Assistant buyer and 3 Associate Buyers to Buyer.
    ♣ Launched and built a $10.5MM accessories and men’s business in one and a half years.
    ♣ Interviewed and assisted in hiring a team of Buyers, Associate Buyers, Assistant Buyers, Merchandise Assistants and Sample Assistants to execute the launch of the E-commerce business.
    ♣ Established 100+ vendor partnerships across all men’s, accessories, shoes, handbags and home categories establishing a multi-million-dollar business in the first year.

  9. -
    Senior Buyer, Omni-channel, Womens Shoes Saks off5, Saks Fifth Ave Off Fifth

    Ran the designer and luxury shoe business for both e-commerce and brick and mortar.

    ♣ Managed the growth of a $100MM business for 2014, +100% to 2013.
    ♣ Added 50+ brands to the omni matrix in 6 months, out preforming financial goals of the company strategy
    ♣ Oversaw private brand development growing to a $12MM annual business
    ♣ Led Assistant Buyers and Merchandise Assistant in delivering optimal results in sales and profit.
    ♣ Ensured inventory productivity and profit margin growth.

  10. -
    Vice President Wholesale, ALEX AND ANI

    Responsible for managing the Wholesale Key Account Sales Team

    ♣ Manage 19 key accounts for 2018.
    ♣ Leads a team of 6 with 4 direct reports in business strategy and analysis for all key accounts.
    ♣ Developed a new business strategy in opening three key accounts.
    ♣ Positioned the Amazon business model to deliver bottom line sales and profitability for the 2018 holiday season.
    ♣ Implemented and improved business processes and procedures with direct reports as well as cross functional partners.

Education Highlights

  • Highlight Title
    BS, FINANCE
  • Highlight Title
    University of Delaware - Lerner College of Business and Economics

Location

United States

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