Sophie Kennedy is currently an Assistant Merchandiser at Selfridges where she is responsible for accessories departments. Her role includes analyzing sales data, forecasting demand, managing stock levels, and leading markdown processes. Previously, she held merchandising roles at Matchesfashion.com and was a Product Writer for London-Boutiques.com. She has a First Class Honors degree in Fashion Management and Marketing from Southampton Solent University.

1. Sophie Kennedy
Flat 5, Saxoncroft House, 2 Fishers Close, SW16 1 JN
Tel: 07791078322
Email: sophiekennedy02@hotmail.co.uk
I am currently working in the Merchandising team at Selfridges where I hold the role
of Assistant Merchandiser, This role includes:
 Taking responsibility for the Accessories Department where I have been
working on both Designer and Contemporary Handbags and accessories
 The focus of the job is to ensure my team are working on putting the right
product in the right place at the right time.
 Analysing sales and stocks figures on a daily basis to ensure we have the right
stocks to enable us to make the optimum profit we can.
 Commitment analysis . The weekly review of open orders and directing the
buying team to cancel slow selling lines where possible
 Devising sales plans to drive sales for our brands and our stores.
 Forecasting and re-forecasting of our WSSI, ensuring we are hitting plan and
analysing stock factors that may cause risk going into the sale period.
 Working with brands to ensure RTV and SOR agreements to reduce our stock
into sale risk.
 Leading the markdown process for the Contemporary Accessories
department to ensure markdowns are maximising sales and reducing margin
loss.
 Working alongside our buying team on daily trading to get in and out of stock
to optimise sales potential and return slow selling lines.
 Providing a wide range of analysis to support our buyers on their trips.
Ensuring they are supported with colour, range, pricing and sales analysis as a
basis for all buys.
 Plan out department’s OTB alongside the merchandiser, this involves
analysing sales and forecasting the growth or the decline of the brand within
our wider business.
 Managing the allocator on a daily basis and supporting their growth and
development within the Selfridges team.

2. Assistant Merchandiser – Matchesfashion.com - April 2015 – Feb 2016
 Providing weekly performance indicators for DVF and MAX MARA relating to
stock, sales, ST targets and profit.
 Analysis of brand performance throughout the season, looking at sales and
stock and ensuring re-orders and RTV are carried out to minimise risk.
 Category analysis across stores, to ensure we are providing the customer
with a wide depth of product.
 Managing intake flow into the business to ensure the department hit their
monthly forecasts, minimise risks and communicate to the DC and the photo
studio to guarantee work flow.
 Updating seasonal mark down documents and assisting in suggested
markdown proposals.
 Ensuring Buyers packs are completed ahead of scheduled buy trips to ensure
a detailed analysis of brand performance is accessible to review.
 Ensuring delivery windows are monitored and all outstanding stock is
accounted for and discounts are sought for late deliveries.
 Setting up and maintaining Seasonal Range and Allocation plans.
Allocator – Matchesfashion.com - August 2014 – April 2015
 Providing crucial support to the Merchandising Team by taking an active role
in analysing sales trends, monitoring deliveries and maintaining stock levels.
 Providing reports to the directors on stock intake and timescales of delivery
and product upload to the website.
 Allocating the departments’ product range to ensure there is enough stock to
satisfy customer demand whilst safeguarding against a surplus
 Analysing merchandise performance in order to maximize sales potential.
 Allocating stock effectively across stores in order to meet and exceed sales
goals
 Monitoring deliveries and stock levels in distribution centres and stores
Product Writer, London-Boutiques.com – July 2013 –July 2014
 The daily recording of products coming in and out and writing about them in
a way that reflects the brand guidelines of the company.
 Ensuring SEO is achieved through the use of our Meta data and key words.
 Uploading the products to our CMS and ensure the correct images and layout
are used to compliment the product on show.
 Auditing of the available products to ensure they target the customers we
want.

3.  Ensuring web layout is presented in a way that will increase our customers
experience and in turn to increase multi-sales.
 Responsible for our 'Create The Look' and 'You May Also Like' segments of
the webpage.
NHS Dorset Finance - March 2013 – July 2013
I was employed on a temporary contract for NHS Dorset in the Finance department
of the Continuing Healthcare team; my primary duties involved:
 The day to day checking and processing of invoices from our providers.
 Monthly payment runs using the CareTrack system
 Generating reports which I then check against care packages and send
payment schedules to our providers.
 Taking calls from clients and assisting themwith invoice queries.
This job was fast paced and highly demanding, attention to detail is vital as I was
often dealing with large amounts of money in a sensitive environment.
Education:
2013 – First ClassHonours degree:FashionManagement andMarketing,Southampton
SolentUniversity
 Whilststudyinghere Idevelopedmyknowledge inunderstandingthe rolesand
responsibilitiesof buyersandmerchandiserswhilstgainingmarketingknowledge
and expertise. Ialsobecame familiarwithfashiontheoristsandapplyingtheir
modelstocurrentday situationsenablingorganisationstoutilisestrategicmarketing
plans.
2004 - NVQlevel 3inBusinessAdministration,ECDL,KeySkills,Technical Certificate
2004 A-levels:Sociology(C);Travel andTourism(C)
2004 AS levels:Sociology(C);General Studies(C);EnglishLiterature (C)
2002 GCSEs: EnglishLanguage (B);EnglishLiterature (A);French(A);Mathematics(C);
Geography(B);DesignandTechnology(C);InformationTechnology(C);ReligiousEducation
(B);Science:Double Award(C);Dance (D).
ABOUT ME
I am a good team worker, I am confident in portraying my ideas and look to more
effective ways of working. I tend to look into how projects are best achieved rather
than jumping straight in. I am patient and ensure when working with new team
members that they are fully aware about the task in hand to avoid confusion and
mistakes down the line.