BRIE NICOL
SMU Sales / Clearance Channel · Boardriders, Inc.
Carlsbad, CA
In My Own Words
Highly motivated professional with extensive knowledge and experience in all channels of the apparel industry - design, sourcing and development, production, buying, planning, merchandising, sales, and customer service. I have worked very hard to explore multiple positions within the industry to become a unique asset to any brand. I am a very fast learner and excel in above average productivity. I work extremely well under pressure and in fast-paced environments. I am incredibly easy to get along with and work well both independently and with others. My organizational skills and attention to detail exceed expectations.
Work Experience
SMU Sales / Clearance Channel
Boardriders, Inc.2018 – Present
Manage footwear and accessory special make up (SMU) sales for the clearance channel, as well as liquidate aged inventory for all brands under the Boardriders umbrella. • Work with different design teams on building appropriate special make up (SMU) assortments to fulfill the needs of clearance channel retailers • Exceed a $20 million SMU budget yearly • Liquidate aged inventory at a positive margin • Negotiate and collaborate with retailers to maintain a strong off-price business
Sourcing, Development, Production for SMU Product
O'Neill / La Jolla Group2015 – 2017
Source, develop, and produce O'Neill special make up (SMU) product for several major retailers. • Source, develop, and produce within all divisions and categories – men's, junior's, boy's, girl's, kid's, toddler's – apparel, swim, and accessories • Work with sales team, designers, and technical designers daily • Actively work with sales and internal operations for smooth delivery and execution of sales' requests • Work with overseas vendors on cost negotiations, delivery, sampling, and production • Provide clear communication with overseas vendors through email and phone; understand and create good business relationships • Work in PLM and FC systems daily • Create cost sheets and assign HTS codes • Maintain accurate work in progress (WIP) reports to manage all sample stages, delivery, SGS testing, and special ticketing/hanging requirements (VAS) • Work with design and overseas vendors on all sample stages – prototype, pre-production, and top of production sampling • Attend all fittings and communicate all fitting/visual comments to vendor • Issue Production Purchase Orders • Implement VAS (value added service) to production orders • Review and approve all SGS testing • Ensure all product arrives on time and ships within the retailer's approved ship window
Merchandiser
O'Neill / La Jolla Group2014 – 2015
Sole merchandiser to the VP of Merchandising and Design. • Principal person for all PLM and Full Circle needs • Create and maintain all styles within the PLM system each season • Run, pivot, and analyze booking reports, production summary reports, lectra gross profit reports, and style gross profit reports • Creator of Merch Guides / Visual Line plans • Initiator of line plans with projected units each season for key categories based off historical data and creative thinking • Lead person in catalog production - create pagination and layout, edit and update all versions of the catalog, work closely with the Sr. Marketing Designer from the beginning of the catalog to the final product • Maintain accurate work in progress (WIP) reports to manage all sample stages, delivery, SGS testing, and special ticketing/hanging requirements (VAS) • Work with design and overseas vendors on all sample stages - prototype, pre-production, and top of production sampling • Attend all fittings and communicate all fitting/visual comments to vendor • Issue Production Purchase Orders • Implement VAS (value added service) to production orders • Review and approve all SGS testing • Ensure all product arrives on time and ships within the retailer's approved ship window • Lead person on all photoshoots - coordinate and execute all hubsoft/ecomm/catalog and on-location photoshoots each season, style for all photoshoots • Work very closely with the planning department throughout the line planning and development process • Work closely with sales to educate them on the line, trends, and key updates each season • Dissect selling within Major and Core Accounts - work with accounts when necessary • Work extremely close with all designers from line plan to production • Run proto review meetings with all sales managers
Account Manager, Sales Representative
Lucky-13 Apparel2013 – 2014
Managed the entire US territory except for New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and California, with a key focus in men's and women's apparel and accessories. • Work toward seasonal plans per account • Build strong, trustworthy relationships with all buyers / correspond with buyers daily within all categories • Submit orders / track allocation / secure on-time shipment • Place AO in-season re-orders • Work with buyers on fulfilling their desired SMU's or private label product • Re-establish relationships with customers that have not done business with us in the past year or more • Create twelve-month forecasts for key customers • Collaborate with customers on road events/festivals/conventions • Attend all Trade Shows • Research and open new accounts • Work with the visuals team on in-store buildouts and POP • Assist in re-building the brand
Account Manager, Sales Representative
Civil Clothing2013 – 2013
Managed more than twenty-five of Civil Clothing's major women's accounts throughout the US - including, but not limited to, Zumiez, Pac Sun Outlet, Karmaloop, Jimmy Jazz, and Urban Outfitters. • Work toward seasonal plans per account • Keep detailed tracking spreadsheets per account • Work with development and purchasing teams daily • Use my knowledge of merchandising, sourcing, and production to provide the best product • Offer an anniversary program to successful programs from past seasons / offer updates to best-selling styles • Build strong, trustworthy relationships with all buyers / correspond with buyers daily within all categories • Submit orders / track allocation / secure on-time shipment • Review weekly selling • Place AO in-season re-orders • Work with buyers on fulfilling their desired SMU's / work with design, development, and purchasing on all stages of the SMU process - carry it out from start to finish • Maintain accurate SMU tracking records • Establish and carry through product tests in key categories • Be well versed in cost and margin negotiations • Attend all Trade Shows • Research and open new accounts • Assist in creating the lookbook each season via Photoshop - building, proofing, editing • Assist in building the order forms each season • Help build the brand into a house-hold name
Key Account Representative
Fox Head, Inc2012 – 2013
Managed two of Fox Racing's largest sportswear accounts - Pac Sun and Glik's. • Work toward monthly and yearly plans per account • Keep detailed, accurate clothing reports by month • Work with development and purchasing teams daily • Use my knowledge of merchandising, sourcing, and production to provide the best product • Always be aware of where the account stands TY to LY in terms of dollars, units, trends, and so on - understand how to off-set problem categories to grow future business • Offer an anniversary program to successful programs from past seasons / offer updates to best-selling styles • Build strong, trustworthy relationships with all buyers/correspond with buyers daily within all categories • Be proactive and one step ahead of the calendar at all times • Be extremely knowledgeable on all product categories, each season / hold line reviews per category for each account • Create suggested orders accompanied by visual line plans • Submit orders / track allocation / secure on-time shipment • Review and distribute weekly selling • Place AO in-season re-orders • Build VLP's • Work with buyers on fulfilling their desired SMU's / work with design, development, and purchasing on all stages of the SMU process - carry it out from start to finish • Maintain accurate SMU tracking records • Create and submit all SMU PO requests • Establish and carry through product tests in key categories • Be well versed in cost and margin negotiations • Work with the co-lab team on current in-line and SMU product • Attend Trade Shows • Create special in-store contests • Work proficiently in PLM, SAP, Every Angle, Illustrator, and Microsoft Office daily
Junior's Assistant Merchandiser
Fox Head, Inc2009 – 2012
Worked as a team with the Director of Merchandising and one other Merchandiser on all key junior's sportswear categories - apparel, accessories, swim. • Assist in building seasonal line plans per category • Build strong relationships with the design team and product development team - work with all teams daily • Create and maintain seasonal VLP's for design / development's visual reference • Merchandise the line into outfits for photo shoots each season/work with the photo studio on pulling together seasonal stories • Work on the creation / editing of the workbook each season • Build PowerPoint Presentations for all significant meetings - line reviews, sales meetings, historical reports • Set-up the showroom for all junior's line reviews / sit in on all meetings to capture detailed notes and assist in showing the line • Take part in all proto review meetings / stay on top of all style updates throughout the development process • Enter all style info in PLM / prepare each season to be created in SAP • Enter all salesman sample orders promo orders • Create and maintain salesman sample PO files • Create and maintain seasonal change forms and carry over lists • Comp shop with designers - "VIBE" for future seasons • Keep the design team on calendar and maintain consistent workflow • Check in and hang all sample lines - keep track of samples • Maintain sample storage space • Work with design and production on all CAD updates • Work closely with all sales reps and buyers - attended all Trade Shows • Assist in all set up for sales meetings • Used to working late, over-time, and traveling for work
Intern to the National Sales Manager
OBEY Clothing2009 – 2009
• Worked with the National Sales Manager, photo studio, and design team two times per week • Learned about account management, the SMU process, and creating interpersonal relationships with buyers • Assisted in line organization, trade show prep, and photo shoots • Helped the design team with fabric filing, sample organization, and line prep
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