MARY BETH TOME

New York, NY 10021 (917) 620-0772 marybeth.tome@comcast.net

Retail Buyer
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Results oriented experienced Retail Executive with proven track record of driving sales and increasing profits. Highly accomplished merchant with extensive product development & International Sourcing knowledge. Strong qualifications and experience in retail and wholesale covering gifts, home dcor, fragrances, textiles, fashion and footwear. Skilled in leading and managing teams in buying, negotiating, assortment planning, merchandising, and product development. Proven competence in developing and analyzing retail financial plans and reports. Expertise in building assortments that drive volume and margin increases. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Burlington Coat Factory, Burlington, NJ (525 retail stores) 2013 - 2014 Buyer Home Dcor and Storage Managed a broad mix of categories in a sku intensive area for rapidly expanding 500 store national off-price chain Reported directly to DMM Managed a broad mix of categories in a sku intensive area for rapidly growing national off-price chain. Developed, sourced and selected product in trend right, value driven assortment. Analyzed market trends utilizing competitive studies. Developed keen ability to assess change in Competition. Executed systematic analysis of inventory by store, resulting in better efficiencies of allocation Negotiated pricing and delivery on up-front, opportunistic buys, both domestic and import. Knowledgeable in direct overseas purchasing including container configurations, first cost to landed cost calculations and U.S. custom requirements and regulations. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Lebanon, TN (620 retail and restaurant locations) 2006 2012 Director of Merchandise Buying: Home Dcor and Decorative Accessories Manage 4 person merchandising team, working in conjunction with planning and allocation teams. Sales totaling $83 million annually. Report directly to GMM. Achieved and exceeded sales, gross margin and turn goals annually. Increased sales 17%, +$12M. Developed and sourced exclusive home dcor and accessories products unique to the Cracker Barrel Brand. Extensive International buying experience. Introduced exclusive private label brands in Fragrances, Quilts, Themes and Table Top resulting in 40% of volume. Established 5 business strategies specific to Fragrances, Gifts, Textiles, and Home Decor setting clear objectives to accomplish $12 million increase. Successfully initiated Regional Store Buying and Distribution in Quilts and Home Decor Themes increasing sales by 10%. Strengthened Quilt in store presentation, to maximize sales through guest friendly experience. Formulated spring/fall financial plans, in conjunction with Planner, establishing financial goals at department/ class level. Presented 15 line reviews annually, implementing Visual Drivers, Volume Drivers, and Unit Drivers as key strategies to accomplish sales and margin goals. Interfaced with Marketing to develop celebrity brands exclusive to Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores including Alan Jackson and Wynona Judd. Etienne Aigner Retail Outlet Stores, New York, NY 2005 2006 V.P. Retail Outlet Managed all aspects of 50 door retail outlet chain with $50 million in sales annually in footwear, handbags, small leather goods, and accessories. Reported directly to CEO and Owner of Etienne Aigner brand. Directed and managed merchandising team in the process of developing fashion product under the Etienne Aigner brand for sale in the outlet stores. Traveled to Asia for on sight product development and quality control. Developed innovative floor layouts in conjunction with seasonal product flow. Created fiscal store budgets and sales goals in collaboration with CFO and Director of Stores. Developed strategic marketing objectives with V.P. of Marketing. Media included direct mail, inserts, newspaper ads, targeted mailings, and in store collateral. Successfully negotiated and reviewed terms of leases and new mall locations with outlet mall landlords. Managed teams of Buyers, Planners, Distributors, Director of Stores, District Managers, and Store Managers. Responsible for 250 person store staff managed through Director of Stores and 5 District Managers.

Romar & Haddad Accessories, New York, NY 2002 2005 Director of Product Development and Sales Managed the merchandising, design, and sales of fashion accessories and responsible for $35 million in sales annually an increase of 15% from 2002-2005 Merchandised and produced private label and branded fashion accessories, including Levis, Dockers, Lucky Brand, Avirex, Harley Davidson, major league teams, and Danskin Girls. Developed successful new categories of bath, cosmetics, and fashion stationery from original design concept through sourcing, production, and sales. Increased overall company volume by $3.0 million. Directed 10 person design team creating private label and branded product. Directed Far East sourcing factories, negotiating prices and overseeing quality control. Delivered highly effective sales presentations to major retailers nationwide including Wal-mart, Target, J.C. Penneys, Sears and Federated Department Stores and participated in trade shows. Toby N.Y.C. Corp., New York, NY 2001 2002 Director of Product Development and Sales Merchandised and produced ladies and childrens lines of accessories and handbags with sale s averaging $15 million annually. Increased overall company volume $2.5 million. Managed design team in creating private label programs. Established and maintained highly effective customer relationships with stores including J.C. Penney, Sears, Wal-mart, Kmart, Kohls, HSN, Kids R Us, Federated Department Stores, and other specialty retailers. Traveled to Far East sourcing factories, negotiating prices and oversee quality control. Accessory Network Group, New York, NY 2000 2001 Division Head of a new business: Hair Accessories, Seasonal Gift Accessories and Girls Room Accessories Directed 12 person design, merchandising, production, sales, and planning team contributing $8 million in sales annually. Merchandised and produced all categories of accessories for spring, fall, and holiday markets. Developed new holiday line of hair, jewelry, and novelty gifts, resulting in a $2 million increase. Increased customer sales through effective visual presentations and innovative, unique product. Developed and sustained a loyal customer base, including Wal-mart, Target, Kmart, Federated, May Co., CVS, Kids R Us, J.C. Penney, Mervyns, Fred Meyers, Shopco, and other specialty retailers and drug chains. Traveled to Far East to develop merchandise, negotiate prices, and inspect production. Kmart, Troy, MI 1996 2000 Senior Buyer: Fashion Accessories - Ladies/Girls 4-14, Cold Weather Accessories Ladies/Childrens/Mens Managed 9 person merchandising and planning team, with sales totaling $170 million annually. Delivered highest profit margin in accessories/hosiery/lingerie division 2 years in a row at over 45% resulting in a 20% increase. Developed the Womens Fashion Accessories Department as a coordinated statement of brands, merchandised to enhance t he overall image of Kmart Womens & Childrens RTW . Recognized as an industry leader for mass retailers in highly developed cold weather accessory business. Procured and managed 1500 skus annually in 9 categories. Sourced and developed 300 skus directly from Far East. Established 4 seasonal business strategies per year to accomplish financial goals: built financial plans; utilized key item planning; implemented marketing methods; executed competitive strategies; and applied brand strategies to attract customers. Caldor, Inc., Norwalk, CT Senior Buyer: Ladies Accessories, Sunglasses, Handbags and Backpacks Responsible for $36 million annually. Cultivated strong vendor relationships, resulting in exclusivity of product for private brands. Developed several main aisle and front register programs, resulting in $5 million incremental sales per year. Upgraded assortments and improved presentation through the development of new fixtures and visual aids. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Bachelor of Arts Degree in History with a minor in Psychology, Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA Wheaton College Exchange Program Workshops/Seminars: Negotiating Skills, Career development, Leadership, Activity Based Costing, Just In Time Management, Federated Training Program VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Artrageous AIDS Fundraiser Nashville, TN Room at the Inn Homeless Shelter Nashville, TN. Earthplace Nature Center Westport, CT 1991 1996