Katie Walker
Central City,PA
Summary
Results-driven merchandising professional with extensive experience in planning and strategy execution. Adept at maximizing inventory efficiency and driving profitability through strategic decision-making. Known for excellent team collaboration and adaptability to changing market conditions. Passion for and proven track record of implementing process improvement initiatives.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Merchandise Planning
American Eagle Outfitters
10.2024 - Current
- Lead the Aerie Apparel and Swim merchandise planning team, managing a $664M business across six product categories
- Establish long range plans for sustained brand growth, as well as quarterly targets for sales, margin, and inventory
- Partner closely with merchandising leadership to strategize profitable and trend-right assortments
- Implementing new process for cost and IMU targets, with focus on Good/Better/Best categorization and strategic mix to optimize margin
- Brand Planning lead for new assortment planning system implementation, responsible for vendor discovery and evaluation
Canada Go-To-Market Director
American Eagle Outfitters
03.2024 - 10.2024
- Built out a new role and team responsible for creating the best commercial outcome for AE Planning in Canada
- Expert on AE business in Canada, responsible for understanding off all AE product categories, competition, and promotional environment in Canadian Retail
- Identified deviations needed in the Canada assortment, and worked closely with cross functional teams in Merchandising and Planning to implement
- Analyzed, recommended, and implemented a full process to execute ticket and pricing changes for the Canadian assortment with a laser focus on margin optimization.
Planning Manager, Canada
American Eagle Outfitters
06.2023 - 03.2024
- Brand ownership of Aerie Apparel and Intimates and OFFLINE Apparel
- Served as lead change management and process leader for the transition of the Canada business to the International Team. Responsible for establishing new processes and efficiencies, effectively communicating change with multiple cross functional and executive leadership teams, and ensuring business continuity while laying groundwork for future growth
- Worked closely with merchandising team to create a profitable and differentiated assortment for the Canadian market
- Established pre-season financial targets and OTB for total Aerie Inc Canada, inclusive of topline sales, margin, and inventory turn
- Led a team responsible for identifying upside and risk opportunities in season, managing weekly pricing effectively, and managing inventory levels (chase/cancel/reflow) to align to financial results
Planning Manager, Middle East / Europe
American Eagle Outfitters
02.2022 - 06.2023
- Managed all AE and Aerie Categories (Apparel, Intimates, Accessories) for Stores, Digital, and Wholesale for multiple Franchise Partners in the Middle East, Israel, Greece, and Europe
- Served as planning lead for EU market re-entry. Responsibilities included assortment depth/breadth accountability, inventory management from vendor through multiple points of distribution, ticketing/pricing analysis and recommendation, and weekly communication to senior leadership on store opening status and progress
- Managed a team responsible for internal financial targets and OTB for all Middle Eastern and European franchise partners
- Partnered with accounts to develop seasonal strategy documents that support sales and merchandise goals
- Influenced and collaborated with partners on growth initiatives, such as strategic chase in key categories, market expansion, and channel optimization
Planning Manager, Hong Kong / APAC
American Eagle Outfitters
01.2021 - 02.2022
- Managed all AE and Aerie Categories (Apparel, Intimates, Accessories) for Company Owned Stores, Digital, and Wholesale, across Hong Kong, China, and Japan
- Managed and planned financial sales volume, gross margin, and inventory for all APAC markets (OTB).
- Focused on growth initiatives, including comp, new store, new channel, and new country expansion. Navigated economic challenges through strict Covid restrictions and traffic headwinds with disciplined and focused promotions and aging inventory management
- Established and implemented improved and standardized planning processes upon joining team. Developed tools to improve business reviews with cross functional team (productivity analysis, channel segmentation)
- Served as planning lead for Japan ecommerce launch. Project initiatives included initial assortment recommendations/approvals, inventory deployment and management from Hong Kong DC and vendors, pricing and accounting process implementation, multi-platform system integration, and reporting set-up and management
- Partnered on securing new relationship with 3rd party retailer to help responsibly manage excess inventory while maintaining profit
Senior Merchandise Planner, US/Canada OMNI
American Eagle Outfitters
09.2015 - 01.2021
- Category ownership of Men’s Denim, Men’s Bottoms, Women’s Dresses/Skirts for Stores and Digital
- Planned financial sales volume, margin, and inventory for categories listed above (OTB).
- Led the Men’s Denim business to two consecutive years of growth in both sales and margin. Provided a focused and disciplined path through assortment restructuring and improved buy principles through Covid-related challenges
- Planning lead for unproductive inventory tool implantation; worked cross functionally with supply chain to establish an effective, efficient, and sustainable process to manage inventory in DC
- Developed color planning excel-based tool to supplement system limitations in planning systems to allow for greater visibility to inventory management
Merchandise Planner
Dick’s Sporting Goods
03.2015 - 09.2015
- Planned financial sales volume, gross margin, and inventory for Women’s Nike Athletic Apparel (OTB).
- Tracked business performance versus goal and manage and present markdown and promotional strategies to drive inventory, sales, and turnover objectives
- Partnered with the merchant team to deliver a preseason assortment plan that aligns with company goals and objectives
- Collaborated with the Nike vendor team to identify opportunities for chase or replenishment styles to drive sales
Senior Demand Planner
Tyson Foods (formerly Hillshire Brands)
11.2012 - 03.2015
- Developed a detailed weekly and monthly demand forecast for Jimmy Dean branded product
- Influenced cross functional team to develop an accurate annual operating plan (AOP) using statistical models, customer specific merchandise/promotion planning, and historical trends
- Lead monthly consensus meetings with finance, sales, and marketing and drive adherence to S&OP process
- Analyzed sales trends, identify drivers, and implement changes to increase profitability
Senior Supply Planner
Tyson Foods (formerly Hillshire Brands)
11.2012 - 03.2015
- Managed inventory and create production plans for Hillshire Farms branded product
- Engaged in daily problem solving practices with cross functional partners including demand planning, capacity planning, customer service, manufacturing, sales and marketing, transportation, and procurement
- Served as key leader and partner in various process improvement projects including truckload optimization, obsolete inventory forecasting and prevention, seasonal forecasting, and constrained inventory management
- Responsible for overseeing Supply Chain Analyst position and managing their daily operations, focusing on accurate inventory distribution
Merchandise Planner
American Eagle Outfitters
08.2010 - 10.2012
- Planned financial sales volume, gross margin, and inventory for Men’s Woven Shirts
- Tracked business performance versus goal and manage markdowns and pricing to drive inventory, sales, and turnover objectives
- Presented and recommend monthly revisions to the merchandise plan to the executive team, and identify areas of upside or risk
- Collaborated with partners in marketing to create profitable price promotions to drive sales and analyze the effectiveness of different strategies
Deployment Planner
Heinz North America
05.2006 - 08.2010
- Managed inventory levels of ten major brands at the distribution centers based on forecast and sales
- Engaged in problem solving and effectively communicated with cross functional teams (Manufacturing, Customer Service, Supply Chain, Transportation and Warehousing) to meet business goals and solve short and long term issues
Education
B.S. - Industrial Engineering
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania01.2008
Timeline
Director of Merchandise Planning
American Eagle Outfitters
10.2024 - Current
Canada Go-To-Market Director
American Eagle Outfitters
03.2024 - 10.2024
Planning Manager, Canada
American Eagle Outfitters
06.2023 - 03.2024
Planning Manager, Middle East / Europe
American Eagle Outfitters
02.2022 - 06.2023
Planning Manager, Hong Kong / APAC
American Eagle Outfitters
01.2021 - 02.2022
Senior Merchandise Planner, US/Canada OMNI
American Eagle Outfitters
09.2015 - 01.2021
Merchandise Planner
Dick’s Sporting Goods
03.2015 - 09.2015
Senior Demand Planner
Tyson Foods (formerly Hillshire Brands)
11.2012 - 03.2015
Senior Supply Planner
Tyson Foods (formerly Hillshire Brands)
11.2012 - 03.2015
Merchandise Planner
American Eagle Outfitters
08.2010 - 10.2012
Deployment Planner
Heinz North America
05.2006 - 08.2010
B.S. - Industrial Engineering
University of Pittsburgh
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