EMILY K. GALIARDI
York,PA
Summary
Results-driven professional with expertise in category management and strategic sourcing. Known for enhancing profitability through optimized product assortments and vendor partnerships. Committed to fostering team collaboration and adapting to changing market needs.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manager - Center Store
COOPER-BOOTH WHOLESALE
02.2023 - Current
- Managed inventory and merchandising strategy for center store convenience categories including product assortment and promotional activities.
- Managed vendor relationships and increased vendor participation in marketing programs, monthly sales meetings and annual trade show to drive customer sales. These efforts led to a 40% increase in vendor marketing dollar commitments to CBW.
- Developed category strategy and plans for center store convenience categories using both syndicated and internal data, manufacturer input, industry trends and customer feedback
- Managed communication with sales team to support distribution initiatives focusing on available spiffs, promotions and customer rebates
- Tracked sales and made sure that the company was on track for any rebate programs and motivated the sales team to meet distribution goals in order to maximize vendor rebates leading to an additional $200k in rebate dollars for CBW.
- Worked with store merchandising team to keep plan-o-grams updated and communicate recommended changes including product swaps and placement to maximize rebate opportunities for CBW and retailer
- Worked closely with Key Account Managers to make sure Key Customer Account needs were met in a timely manner.
- Evaluated request to stock agreements, aligned inventory and operations on customer's promotional calendar and served as liaison between those customers and manufacturers.
- Proofread and issued final approval on all advertising vehicles and deals for accuracy.
- Performed post-promotional analysis and made any necessary adjustments to future promotional plans as needed.
- Supported replenishment team to maintain appropriate inventory levels and updated product level forecasts to ensure healthy stock status while reducing spoilage leading to a 19% improvement in inventory value reduction while maintaining sales and service levels.
- Worked closely with warehouse and operations teams to ensure service levels are met as they related to pick locations and pick location replenishment.
- Communicated any forecasted changes to slotting specialists so that they could assign/re-assign/remove pick locations based on forecasted volume.
- Reviewed and executed close out process for underperforming or close coded product by negotiating markdown dollars, returns and promotions with suppliers, motivating sales team or negotiating sales terms with off-price buyers.
- Ensured all items were set up accurately and launched according to plan.
- Established and maintained accurate pricing and margin integrity including suggested retails.
- Mentored and trained junior members of the purchasing and marketing teams.
- Represented Cooper-Booth Wholesale at industry trade shows, meetings and networking events.
- Developed promotional campaigns to boost category visibility and sales.
- Optimized product assortment, driving higher customer engagement and retention.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement within category management.
Category Manager - Dry Ingredients, Packaged Goods
FEESER'S FOOD DISTRIBUTORS
06.2021 - 02.2023
- Responsible for purchasing products within assigned categories consisting of approximately 2000 skus and a $25M/annual spend.
- Responsible for maintaining item level sales forecasts within the E3 purchasing system taking into consideration seasonality of various types of customers and product availability.
- Worked closely with sales team to find suitable substitutions for discontinued or unavailable products.
- Communicated any vendor supply issues to all sales staff with expected resolution date.
- Updated the sales team on any product changes in a timely manner.
- Investigated any customer returns and resolved issues with the supplier or internal quality team as appropriate
- Processed vendor chargebacks.
- Identified slow moving or distressed inventory in a timely manner and communicate to Director of Sales and Purchasing Manager.
- Maintained a 99% Fill Rate with considerations being made for supplier shortages and production delays.
- Reviewed and resolved any vendor invoice discrepancies.
- Processed purchase orders for stock and special order items in a timely manner.
- Trained and developed junior staff.
- Recommended new products to be added to assortment based on trend and availability as well as negotiated slotting and/or sell thru agreements with suppliers to introduce new products to our customers.
- Sourced and set up new products to satisfy requests from key accounts.
- Worked with other buyers on team to identify possible substitutions, move distressed product, reduce waste and identify opportunities to streamline overall function of the department.
Buyer/Planner
HR PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Responsible for production planning and procurement functions directly associated with the company's need for indirect materials and services, fixed assets and tooling, and production materials and services.
- Responsible for the timely planning and scheduling of receipt and inventory control of products and services consistent with company software and MRP systems.
- Responsible for planning and creating production schedules that supported and maintained a high level of customer service and performance standards
- Analyzed demand of materials with the use of MRP, inventory analysis and other methods to ensure ready supply of materials at appropriate levels and in a timely manner to prevent stock outs.
- Initiated purchase orders and amendments for parts, services and/or special tools, maintained PO data accuracy inclusive of price, quantity, and delivery date; tracked material receipts, executed expedite reports, reported status of materials/services and past due deliveries to appropriate stakeholders.
- Coordinated quality matters and engineering changes/developments between company activities and suppliers; arranged for submission and inspection of sample products as required, maintained close coordination with plant operations and cross-functional team to ensure timely execution of changes.
- Evaluated inventory and capacity to plan and create weekly and monthly production schedules that supported waste reductions and equipment optimization.
- Issued weekly work orders to production that were aligned with the production schedule.
Buyer/Product Manager - Pennsylvania Dutch Candies
THE WARRELL CORPORATION
04.2013 - 01.2020
- Managed inventory and assortment for a wholesale specialty line of candy, novelties, and snacks for national distribution to specialty retailers.
- Developed private label confections with outside vendors and internal R&D focusing on price and quality.
- Shopped and stocked new finished goods that were re-distributed to small retailers throughout the country.
- Maximized turns by regularly monitoring sales and scheduling deliveries and production.
- Issued Supplier Corrective Actions when incoming product is not to specification and negotiated resolution through returns or vendor charge backs.
- Collected vendor co-op and managed the design and production of a yearly full line catalog and three seasonal mailers.
- Completed regular analysis of sales trends and recommended discontinuations, exit strategies and promotions.
- Regularly shopped new products focusing on trends and categories that resonated with the core Pennsylvania Dutch customer.
- Partnered with the Warrell Corporation's production team to run manufactured goods in a timely and efficient manner, while ensuring all components would be in house on time.
- Worked closely with marketing and co-manufacturers to develop high quality private label products and to update existing product lines with new packaging.
- Implemented SOPs with warehouse and receiving staff to ensure that all product coming into our warehouse was to predetermined specifications and had appropriate shelf life remaining.
- Worked closely with our sales teams to implement quick and efficient exit strategies on discontinued and overstocked product to prevent disposition of out dated goods.
- Developed a monthly promotional calendar to increase sales on Key Items and communicated those promotions to sales and marketing teams to publish in the monthly Constant Contact emails and communicate with customers during sales calls.
Associate Buyer, Retail
HERSHEY ENTERTAINMENT & RESORTS
08.2007 - 03.2013
- Managed merchandise assortments for the retail outlets located throughout the HE&R family of properties
- Product categories include Chocolate & Confections; Apparel & Accessories, Footwear, Generic and Hershey's Licensed Gifts, Toys & Novelties, Sundries, and Private Labeled products
- Worked closely with store operational personnel to gather guest feedback and make appropriate decisions regarding merchandise assortment and re-order needs
- Increased candy sales volume 15% by reducing out of stocks during peak season and planning seasonal candy buys early enough to ensure complete delivery
- Reduced spoilage by maintaining appropriate stock levels during slow seasons, managing store level inventories and negotiating product discounts and rebates
- Increased sales volume by 45% on Key Item Programs while maintaining appropriate Sales and Stock ratios by reviewing by store sales on a weekly basis and communicating findings to various levels of management on our operations teams
- Successfully managed the buying aspects of transitioning to a new inventory system and became the point person for developing key merchandise reports that are instrumental in day to day rebuying activities as well as provide all levels of management with a comprehensive view of the retail business
Merchandise Assistant Buyer, Men's Better Collections, Activewear, & Team Apparel
THE BON-TON INC.
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Managed and performed a variety of tasks that supported the buyer in managing the office and achieving business results
- Planned and tracked sales by week and month for different selling programs
- Wrote and proof read advertising copy and located samples for weekly ad turn-ins
- Projected and monitored ad effectiveness for advertised merchandise
- Planned departmental sales and markdowns by day
- Planned, recommended, and executed monthly markdowns based on sales trends, vendor suggestions, and budget restrictions
- Completed departmental Open-to-Buy in buyer's absence
- Developed and maintained reports for the buyer to support style and color choices based on trending merchandise
- Produced daily, weekly, and monthly sales reports for various levels of management as requested
- Negotiated product discounts with vendors as needed
- Managed all promotional and permanent price changes
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Music, Business Administration
MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
Mansfield, PA01.2002
Skills
- Strategic Category Management
- Effective Vendor Negotiation
- Industry Trend Analysis
- Monitoring Retail Industry Trends
- Strategic Demand Planning
- Effective Merchandising Execution
- Collaborative Team Management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Promotional Campaign Development
- Responsive to Shifting Priorities
Timeline
Category Manager - Center Store
COOPER-BOOTH WHOLESALE
02.2023 - Current
Category Manager - Dry Ingredients, Packaged Goods
FEESER'S FOOD DISTRIBUTORS
06.2021 - 02.2023
Buyer/Planner
HR PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2020 - 07.2020
Buyer/Product Manager - Pennsylvania Dutch Candies
THE WARRELL CORPORATION
04.2013 - 01.2020
Associate Buyer, Retail
HERSHEY ENTERTAINMENT & RESORTS
08.2007 - 03.2013
Merchandise Assistant Buyer, Men's Better Collections, Activewear, & Team Apparel
THE BON-TON INC.
01.2003 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Music, Business Administration
MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
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