Lizzie Peterson
Strategic Account Manager at KEEN
Indianapolis, IN
In My Own Words
Experienced Strategic Account Manager with over 18 years in retail, footwear, and merchandising, driving significant sales growth and market share expansion. Proven ability to manage and develop key accounts and deliver impactful business strategies. Expertise in analyzing market trends, forecasting, and collaborating cross-functionally to achieve revenue and profitability targets. Passionate about building senior-level relationships and executing strategic business plans to deliver sustainable success. Brand evangelist with a high degree of initiative to exceed goals.
Work Experience
Strategic Account Manager
KEEN2020 – Present
• Drove a 35% growth in an established key account since 2020 by providing expert guidance and managing inventory. • Exceeded revenue sales targets by 19% in 2024, 21% in 2021 & 36% in 2020 by leveraging key partner relationships and expanding product assortments. • Increased account profitability by 820bps in GM% and 690bps in OI% since 2020 through data-driven analysis and strategic initiatives. • Developed and delivered joint business plans and seasonal account strategies, aligning with senior leadership and cross-functional teams. • Managed weekly/monthly/yearly business updates, providing sell-in and sell-through analysis to leadership. • Led the planning and forecasting process with Sales & Demand Planning teams, ensuring optimal inventory levels for assigned accounts. • Collaborated with product and merchandising teams to align product offerings with customer needs and sales objectives. • Worked closely with marketing to design sell-through and retailer activation strategies, driving increased sales. • Presented P&L statements and account performance reports monthly to sales leadership and the Chief Revenue Officer.
US Merchandising Manager
KEEN2019 – 2020
• Led the execution of regional merchandising strategies to maximize profit goals and align product offerings with market demand. • Partnered with sales teams and wholesale partners to build strategic merchandising plans, optimizing product assortments for key accounts (e.g., REI, Zappos, DSG). • Conducted market and trend analysis to deliver region-specific product assortments, ensuring alignment with sales objectives. • Managed the wholesale forecast and collaborated with demand & supply planning teams to ensure timely product delivery. • Developed segmentation strategies for key retailer programs and presented pre-lines to sales representatives and retailers. • Partnered with the marketing team to ensure asset alignment with sales priorities and strategies.
Territory Manager
KEEN2015 – 2019
• Led forecasting for region at line close meetings for Specialty channel • Participated in Global line planning meetings to assist in GTM/merchandising planning strategies • Guided individual account product assortments to drive profitability and long term brand initiatives • Developed strategic plans for “must win” accounts through merchandising analytics and market analysis • Identified new account opportunities/channels of distribution to help achieve sales goals through segmentation strategies • Built and retained over 90 partnerships with $2M of revenue by establishing trust through clear and reliable communication • Developed and executed seasonal (and annual) sales and marketing plans to support KEEN brand initiatives and maximize growth opportunities within assigned territories and accounts. • Mentored teammates by sharing tools and technical knowledge to improve efficiency • Partnered with Product and Brand Marketing to bring successful new products and initiatives to the US market on a seasonal basis. Proactively manage progression of product line throughout each season. • Was the “voice” of account activity (sell-in, sell-through, operations and marketing) to internal partners. • Assisted with planning and execution of regional team meetings • Monitored competitors activities and performance, along with implementing strategies and tactics to compete.
Associate Buyer, Licensed Apparel & Headwear
Finish Line2014 – 2015
• Established annual assortment plan by league and team to support individual markets and achieve overall financial targets of $45M • Governed in-season markdowns through planning partnership to ensure long term profitability and cohesive merchandising stories • Prioritized inbound and outbound flow of goods and communicate any potential risks with proposed solutions to meet floor set dates • Created long term vision of Licensed apparel to offset risk and remain relevant to the consumer through trend and merchandising analytics • Articulated overall product strategy for the department and geographic markets for merchandising and planning team • Adapted to in-season trend changes by building an agile team with efficient tools and innovative mindsets
Product Merchandiser
Finish Line2011 – 2014
• Managed inventory through accurate allocation strategies and analysis. • Set up product assortments for preseason and reorders. • Ensured new and remodel stores are at planned inventory levels and with a premium product assortment at opening. • Provided detailed sales, margin and sell thru analysis on programs to help drive additional sales • Suggested reorders, markdowns, and RTV opportunities to increase profitability of department. • Presented suggested inventory levels to Planning team monthly. • Created and updated store matrices to find opportunities based on sales expectations, data and visual presentation. • Determined appropriate door base for departments through sales data to improve product performance in stores. • Created and maintained Key Item plans utilizing forecasting skills (Sales, Inventory, GM%, S.T.%)
Category Manager and Team Leader
Playmakers Athletic Footwear and Apparel2006 – 2011
• Educated sales staff on products through weekly presentations and as an on-retail-floor resource. • Worked with sales staff and ownership team to identify the appropriate assortment for target customers. • Capitalized on growth opportunities through new products, co-marketing current products, and pricing strategies. • Analyzed product assortments for performance, profitability and additional opportunity areas. • Developed and utilize a pre-season order and replenishment business process. • Directed the casual footwear product cycle, track purchase orders, and resolve inaccuracies with vendor representatives through development of strong relationships and win-win resolution techniques. • Cultivated beneficial relationships with key vendors by attending trade shows. • Planned and purchased discounted product for semi-annual sale that is responsible for major portion of yearly revenue. • Trained up to 150 temporary sales staff during semi-annual sale.
