Kyla Phung's Email

Buyer, Contemporary Collections, Denim & Bridge @ From October 2014 to Present (1 year 3 months) Associate Buyer, Handbags & Accessories @ •Develop assortment for 3 departments within Fashion Accessories totaling over $30 million in annual sales, directly managing all components of product life cycle from buy planning, product development, marketing and visual merchandising strategies to the exit of aged inventory through markdowns, in-store promotions and MOS proposals •Achieved 50% comparable store sales growth over first two years in areas of responsibility •Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships in order to create long term partnerships and effectively negotiate initial costing, in season discounts, receipt shifts/cancellations, and end of season margin allowances in order to help achieve overall business goals •Increased IMU by 300 bps across 3 departments within first 6 months •Improved overall GM by 500 bps over 2 years •Manage product development of private label merchandise including gathering inspiration samples, sourcing fabrics and materials, overseeing design of new silhouettes and presenting final prototypes to management for approval •Manage, train and develop Merchandise Assistants, promoting three employees in three years From October 2012 to October 2014 (2 years 1 month) Associate Planner, Handbags @ • Build seasonal financial plans by store to effectively achieve company sales and profit goals and optimize return on inventory investment • Collaborate with merchant partner to build merchandise assortments supported by incorporating space planning, import planning, transitional strategies, market solutions, advertising, marketing, and volume group planning tools • Weekly/monthly management of store inventories and performance, communicating opportunities and liabilities to Planning Director and team members • Develop strategic unit/item plans by store to include projection analysis for key items/classifications and implement inventory flow strategies that ensure in-stock position, turnover objectives, and profitable exit of aged goods • Train, develop, and manage up to 3 Allocation Analysts • Chair of Committee that handles planning and logistics of extracurricular involvement within the Planning & Allocation division; initiatives include: -Sending P&A team members to New Store Openings -Monthly “Town Hall” meetings to go over top-level business initiatives and celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and the P&A Team Member of the month -Developing rotational lunch opportunities for entry level employees to gain exposure to upper management -Volunteering/raising money for various local charities From October 2011 to October 2012 (1 year 1 month) Assistant Buyer, Designer Sportswear @ • Oversee purchase order mechanics, product receipts and open to buy for 41 full line stores • Develop seasonal plans at the department and store level, ensuring each department’s sales, inventory, and margin expectations are in line with company’s overall financial goals • Utilize various financial tools to perform monthly in-season projections of sales and inventories, while proposing strategic initiatives to help stay on track with fiscal goals • Manage inventory by administering the following: - Regulate vendor receipt flows and negotiate with vendors regarding late deliveries - Handle the exit of aged inventory through returns to vendors and markdowns - Analyze sales trends and on hand inventories of the 41 full line stores and initiate stock balance transfers accordingly • Manage and maintain strong vendor relationships in order to: - Facilitate special agreements such as consignment packages, gross margin agreements, and mark down allowances - Collaborate with vendors regarding innovative sales strategies and associate incentives • Plan and execute companywide events that drive business in core brands, assisting in everything from conception and design to marketing directives, client prospecting, and store communication • Demonstrate Teamwork and Leadership through: - Consistently demonstrating a sense of urgency and punctuality - Gathering, communicating and appropriately responding to store feedback - Successfully training new assistants to aid in seamless transitions for the buying office - Overseeing a team of over 25 Designated Sales Associates for two core brands - Performing special tasks/projects for management, including presentations for top level business meetings - Head of the division for company’s Product Knowledge website From August 2010 to September 2011 (1 year 2 months) Student Assistant, Center for Retailing Studies @ • Assist with planning, scheduling, and logistics of events, including Texas A&M Retailing Career Fair and Retailing Summit (conference held in Dallas, TX for influential members of the nation's leading retailers) • Act as liaison between companies, as well as other students, and the Center, building relationships to connect students with key resources upon graduation • Manage budgets for events and negotiate with vendors for preferred pricing From August 2009 to May 2010 (10 months) Commercial Sales Intern @ • Analyze clients’ sales data and prepared appropriate product knowledge packets and other key selling tools for stores • Organized collection samples and assisted account executives in market appointments, gathering insight into the buying process from several high end retailers • Plan and prepare Spring 2009 advertising and photo shoots for clients • Develop Microsoft Excel templates to assist with budgets and planning From June 2008 to August 2008 (3 months)

BBA, Marketing, Minor in Communication, Certificate in Retailing @ Texas A&M University - Mays Business School From 2006 to 2010 Study Abroad Program @ Semester at Sea From 2009 to 2009 Kyla Phung is skilled in: Event Planning, Retail, Public Relations, Financial Planning, Consumer Behavior, Strategic Financial Planning, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Strategy, Fashion, Leadership, Marketing, Straight Talking