1. NORMAN H. SHACAT
81 Woburn Street
Medford, MA 02155-3418
(339) 545-1020 / e-mail: norman.shacat@gmail.com
SUMMARY
• Highly motivated Apparel and Footwear executive with extensive experience managing Inventory, Buying,
Planning, Operations, and Allocation functions at leading wholesale and retail companies such as Greg Norman,
Reebok, Timberland, and Filene’s.
• Results oriented leader who consistently achieves and exceeds goals through strategic planning and flawless
execution.
• A change agent who regularly develops and implements best practices to improve efficiency, service levels, and
cash flow.
• Possess strong analytic skills and excellent problem solving capabilities
• Proven track record of recruiting, building, and motivating effective teams.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GREG NORMAN COLLECTION, Canton, MA (until 1/2006, a division of Reebok International,
LTD)
Vice President of Inventory Management 2007 to 2009
Senior Director of Inventory Management 2005 to 2007
Director of Inventory Management 1997 to 2005
Inventory Manager 7/95 to 1997
• Led a team of 8 associates including 4 direct reports, setting timelines and managing all aspects of sportswear
and footwear buying processes from style creation and order placement through shipment to domestic and
international customers.
• Worked with buying agents and global factory base of nearly 40 and creatively managed inventory to assist
company in achieving inventory turnover targets without compromising customer order fulfillment objectives.
• Ensured inventory levels were adjusted based on sales trends and directed team to adjust receipt flow and
expedite goods as needed to guarantee on time and complete delivery for customer order pool.
• Determined, developed, and monitored Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including key items stock out
percentages, supplier on-time performance, and lead time analysis.
• Participated in the successful one year transition of the company from Reebok’s ownership to MacGregor Golf
beginning November, 2006. Led the conversion of inventory systems, the closing of a distribution center and
the opening of a third party one, and the closing of an overseas office that administered international
distributors’ orders, absorbing that function locally and reducing costs while improving service.
• Oversaw warehousing function of third party service provider and the selection and development of freight
forwarder, establishing and monitoring KPIs (metrics) for both.
• Managed company’s Master Calendar incorporating all timelines from design concept through delivery of
finished goods and resolved all disruptions to the calendar’s execution with partners connected to the calendar.
• Defined SAP-AFS system requirements for MRP, Forecasting, and Available to Promise when the company
became the first in the world to implement SAP-AFS in August, 1998. Developed all reports used in
forecasting and inventory management.
• Awarded company’s annual President’s Award in July 1999 for “outstanding performance that had a significant
impact on company’s business.” Also, recognized by the CFO in January 2001 for dramatically reducing
excess and obsolete inventory in 2000, the major reason for the company achieving 880 basis points gross
margin improvement from the prior year, the “single best business measure improvement we had as a company,
by far.”
• Developed Vendor Manual for factories and kept it current. Later, made the Manual accessible via a secure
Internet portal.
• Initially hired as company’s first Inventory Manager, initiated all purchasing and inventory management
policies and procedures, staffed department, and created most systems, processes, and standardized reports used
until all functions were absorbed by the acquiring company.
2. NORMAN H. SHACAT Page 2
THE TIMBERLAND COMPANY, Stratham, NH
Merchandise Manager, Factory Stores 11/94 to 7/95
• Identified, developed, and managed merchandise offering of footwear, apparel, and accessories in 30 outlet
stores.
• Developed strategic and tactical plans for the management and liquidation of existing and projected excess and
obsolete inventory and factory defects.
• Formulated promotional and marketing plans to drive $77M business, maximizing inventory turn and
profitability.
• Consistently exceeded monthly sales and margin plans.
Logistics Manager, Apparel and Accessories 6/91 to 11/94
• Led the finished goods procurement and operations processes. Sales volume exceeded $75M (cost) annually.
• Analyzed sales trends and inventory statistics, challenged sales forecasts and ensured consensus, formulated
buying strategy and receipt flow, and initiated purchases of inventory.
• Controlled inventory levels below targets for 7 consecutive quarters and improved turn 12% in 1993 compared
with prior year.
• Provided process leadership, surfacing and resolving issues across functional lines.
• Hired as company’s first associate in this role for its new apparel business and ultimately built a team of 5.
MORSE SHOE, INC., Canton, MA
Director of Merchandise Distribution and Planning, Fayva Shoes 9/89 to 12/90
• Directed the merchandise planning, allocation, and inventory management of footwear and related accessories
for 535 Fayva stores nationwide with annual sales in excess of $275M.
• Managed the training, development, and activities of a staff of 19, including 5 direct reports.
WM. FILENE'S SONS COMPANY, Boston, MA
Project Manager, Merchandise Planning 5/86 to 2/89
• Coordinated merchandise planning system requirement definition, software selection, testing, and successful
implementation of M.A.P.S. on schedule and within budget.
• Chosen by vendor & Filene’s VP of Management Information Systems to present “Filene’s M.A.P.S. Story” at
IBM Systems Executive Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, 3/22/1988.
Planner, Junior Ready-to-Wear 10/84 to 5/86
• Established seasonal merchandise sales, gross margin, receipt, and turn plans for division.
• Analyzed open-to-buy and recommended purchases, order shifts, cancellations, and markdowns.
• Supervised and trained two Distributors to analyze store needs and make optimum distribution decisions based
on assortment requirements and open to ship.
ZAYRE STORES, Framingham, MA
Buyer, Slippers and Women's Flats, Casuals, Canvas, and Duty Shoes 2/84 to 10/84
• Purchased footwear for an area with a combined annual sales volume in excess of $25M in 280 stores.
• Created Plan-O-Grams for store associates to follow for proper presentation of footwear
• Achieved comparable store increase of more than 20%.
WM. FILENE'S SONS COMPANY, Boston, MA
Buyer, Women's Budget Shoes and Brands, Canvas, and Slippers 10/82 to 1/84
• Executed merchandise strategy for departments with a combined volume in excess of $2.7M.
• Increased sales nearly 28% above prior year, more than 23% above plan, and exceeded gross margin percent
plan.
• Recognized by C.E.O. as Buyer of the Month in February 1983 for exceeding sales plan by 50% (over $40K).
EDUCATION
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, Washington, D.C.
• Bachelor of Arts
References available upon request
