1. Zachary R. Bircks
7 Weyburne Road • Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 304-5918 • Zackbircks@gmail.com
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
!Forever Collectibles (Klew Apparel) Somerset, New Jersey
General Merchandise Manager - Apparel Dec 2013 – Present
! • Manage Creative, Product Development, Production and Sales for $30 million global sports licensed apparel brand.
• Increased productivity in 2015 to grow apparel brand from $11 million to $30 million.
• Lead a team of 8 people that establish conceptual product direction, pricing strategies and sales strategies for each season.
• Lead grassroots marketing campaigns, featured on dozens of media outlets, including
ESPN, Good Morning America, The View and The New York Times.
• Work with major accounts such as Sports Authority, Fanatics, LIDS, Finish Line, and Amazon; to increase their sales and
profitability by developing separate product lines and negotiating pricing with overseas suppliers.
• Creator of the team sports Ugly Christmas Sweater and driving force behind companies first apparel line, leading to $11
million in 2014.
!Forever Collectibles Somerset, New Jersey
Product Development Manager April 2012 – Nov 2013
! • Managed product development department for $100 million global Sports Licensing company.
• Increased business in 2012 from $60 to $86 million in US, $7.5 to $11 million in UK.
• Increased business in 2013 from $97 million globally to $110 million.
• Manage over 500 SKUs globally per season from conception to product launch.
• Establish design direction and SKU plans for seasonal businesses.
• Trained and mentored four direct reports.
!Forever Collectibles Somerset, New Jersey
Planner Nov 2010 – Mar 2012
! • Reviewed and analyzed all sales data, identifying trending items/core business categories in US and UK markets.
• Created SKU plans for seasonal core business categories in US and UK markets.
• Margin Analysis: Set wholesale pricing for customer base, reviewed pricing on large orders, ensured company was making
healthy margin.
!Forever Collectibles Somerset, New Jersey
Assistant Buyer Mar 2010 – Nov 2010
!• Wrote and sent purchase orders to China-based factories for $30 million dollar FOB business.
• Created and managed inventory programs for core business categories.
• Analyzed historical data to facilitate the development of current and future plans
!Universal Music Group New York, NY
Marketing Intern Jan 2010 – Mar 2010
! Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Short Hills, New Jersey
Assistant/Intern Sept 2009 – Jan 2010
EDUCATION
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Drew University Madison, NJ
May 2009
• B.A., Political Science. GPA 3.30
• Dean’s List: 2007-2009, Landmark Conference Academic Honor Roll 2008-2009