1. Chris Phillips
21 Salisbury St #315 * Worcester, MA01609 * (903) 926-1551*chrisphillips1959@yahoo.com
Professional Summary:
Accomplished, results oriented senior-level merchant with a successfulhistory in all aspects of merchandising
and purchasing for retail stores, catalog and e-commerce. Amulti-faceted expert with 25+ years of experience
in identifying opportunities through sales analysis and market trends for Home Décor, Gift, Women’s Apparel
as well as Men’s and Women’s shoes. Strong analytical skills with a proven record of driving sales, managing
inventory, and delivering margin goals. Delivers bottom-line results through a balance of merchandise
planning, brand building, negotiation and financial skills.
Proven success managing multiple functions and resolving complex problems in a timely, cost effective
manner. Recognized for building highly productive teams, developing positive relationships and cultivating
valuable long-term strategic alliances. Highly developed communications, negotiations, organization and
analytical skills.
Areas of Expertise
Product Development and Launch Vendor Management & Relations
Global Sourcing and Purchasing Financial Planning
Assortment Planning Market Trend Analysis
E-Commerce, Catalog & Direct Sales Negotiating
Catalog Pagination and Design Inventory Management
Sales Analysis and Forecasting Staff Development & Mentoring
Employment History
Director of Product Development
August 2011 to June 2014
Celebrating Home
Marshall, Texas
 Executed a new personalized product category launch for Spring 2012 by implemented design
direction, sourcing materials, and planning production processes that drove $10M. in
incremental sales for Spring 2012.
 Strategically revived Home Interiors brand with a focus on the Hispanic market that drove
$5M in incremental revenue for the Fall 2012 catalog.
 Implemented with cross functionalteams routing guides with product spec sheets and
inspection schedules to achieve quality standards from product produced in China.
 Repositioned product in catalog layout to maximize key item sales for Spring 2013.
Purchasing Planner
March 2002 to Aug 2011
Celebrating Home
Marshall, Texas
 Developed a historical database to provide sales curves by category that resulted in a 35%
increase of accuracy in the forecast of the floral category.
 Analyzed and trended current and past promotional activity to provide management with
opportunity for future promotions driving promotional activity from 10% to 30% of
company’s sales volume.

2.  Implemented weekly buy reports with suggested needs to buy as well as identified
overstocked items that resulted in an increase in the inventory turn from 5.2 to 8.9 annually.
 Developed a process to alert management of future out of stock items resulting in a 99%
accuracy rate.
Director of Purchasing
November 1999 to February 2002
Benchmark Brands/Footsmart
Norcross, GA
 Drove the comfort and therapeutic shoe business from 24% to 50% of the company’s sales
volume..
 Reduced inventory by 33% with minimal affect to customer service level.
 Identified sales opportunity in 4th
quarter gift business that resulted in a 315% increase in
sales for the quarter.
 Responsible for maximizing profit and sales through catalog presentation that resulted in an
increase of profit per square inch by 21%.
 Reduced obsolete merchandise by 33% by negotiating returns and implementing drop ship
programs with vendors.
 Developed and managed staff of merchants and clerical staff.
Buyer
August 1985 to October 1999
Uptons
Norcross, GA
 Developed the Ladies Lee brand business as the #3 volume account in the country.
 Maintained a Ladies Dockers business as the # 1 volume account in the country.
 Developed and implemented with the Uptons’ technical support a replenishment system used
with multiple vendors to manage basic stock inventories.
 Collaborated and developed optimum model stock levels using Lee and Levi replenishment
systems.
Department Manager, Assistant Buyer
February 1982 to August 1985
Macy’s
Atlanta, GA
Education
1981 Bachelor of Marketing
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia