Amy Herod

Soft and Occasion accessories Buyer

Buyer for own buy fashion and fine jewellery, branded jewellery, gifting and oversees own buy and branded watch area with Junior Buyer. Reports in to Director of Buying. • Responsible for forward planning and strategy for department, identifying key drivers, growth areas, setting targets for sales, mark down, BIM and supplier strategy to ensure profit targets are achieved. • Relaunched own buy brands Floozie by FrostFrench with new, more fashion forward ranges and The Collection with a core of key lines and fashion influenced pieces to very positive feedback from press and retail. • Works closely with designer to forecast trends, develop product and range build. • Manages team of 4: Junior Buyer, 1 Assistant buyer, 1 Business Placement and 1 Buyers' admin overseeing and managing workload on a daily basis, motivation and forward development planning, appraisals and performance reviews. Active in selection and recruitment of ABs, Trainees and Admin. for the division. • Works with external designers at Debenhams to create ranges and sign off in line with their brand identity. • Rationalised branded offer across all stores, ensuring each brand range is diverse, identifying and engaging new brands. • Works closely with online department to improve content and social media teams to drive sales and elevate brand exposure. • Works with International department to ensure offer is suitable and tailored for each territory. • Experienced in working with direct factories in Qingdao, Yiwu, South China and India, developing strong supplier relations.

• Responsible for Fashion jewellery and Hair accessories area. Developing and buying a range of 600 options a season. • Implemented critical path, monthly range sign off meetings, close to season buying needing fast and reactive buying and trade decisions. • Skilled in trend identification and development, product development and range building, conducting regular ideas and comp shops around the world for inspiration and direction • Launched Limited Edition range to acclaim and commercial success. • Worked closely with merchandiser to manage OTB, line projections, analyse sales and trade department to maximise sales and profit. • Strong supplier relations, communication and negotiation skills. Regular travel to Far East for supplier meetings. • Led team of two assistant buyers. • Strong communication skills demonstrated in inter department relations – QA, marketing, retail - monthly sign off presentations with buying controller and seasonal sign offs and range presentations to Board of Directors/ retail management team

Jewellery, Hair Accessories and Watch Categories • Responsible for running large and high optioned department, planned and implemented seasonal strategy, established critical path and buying calendar for area. Reported into Head of Buying on Accessories, managed team of two Assistant Buyers and worked closely with design function. • Through extremely tough trading conditions, managed stock intake to reduce mark down to protect profit margin and revitalised product range by injecting more fashion newness, whilst developing and motivating junior buying team.

Responsible for Hair Accessories area and supported the Buyer on Jewellery area, both of which were highly successful sections within Accessories department, achieving sales increase of 60% from SS08 – SS09 year on year on jewellery and hair • Demonstrated strong skills in trend prediction, product development, sales analysis, forward planning and strategy which resulted in steep department growth and strong sales performance • Travelled regularly to China to support Buyer on sourcing/ development trips. • Managed day to day workload for Trainee Buyer and also long term development plan, appraisals and performance reviews • Presented regularly sign off to Board of Directors and Retail teams • Regular travel on sourcing and development trips drive supplier meetings involving product development, issues, negotiations

• Trainee Buyer on Seasonal Product area - Sunglasses, Knitted Accessories, Light weight scarves and Hats, responsible for sample management, general admin, supplier negotiations and order raising and supported Buyer with product development, forward strategy and range building. Also took on sole responsibility for Men's and Kid's Accessory ranges, product development, range building, identifying key drivers. Product development, range building, trend research and analysis, producing trend packs, supplier liaison, sample management, order

Responsible for general admin, sample management, supplier liaison, critical path management, shipment tracking, QC management.

Main duties included- organising and supervising the floor team, ensuring high standards of customer service, administration, visual merchandising, handling customer complaints, staff recruitment, training and discipline