Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Jessica Chae

Jessica Chae

Montreal,Canada

Summary

Seasoned Buyer with a robust track record at SSENSE, adept in Excel and strategic process streamlining. Spearheaded high-level projects, demonstrating exceptional leadership and analytical skills to identify growth opportunities. Proven mentor, enhancing team capabilities and efficiency, achieving significant portfolio growth.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Buyer

SSENSE
08.2020 - Current
  • Proven asset on the team, managing one of the biggest portfolios season after season, including mainly Top 45 brands, continually surpassing plan in COGS & vs. LY.
  • Successful track record of identifying areas of opportunity, effectively leading all negotiations with vendors, pertaining to trade discounts, RTVs, flow of goods, participation in promotional activities, stock cancellations & exclusive capsules/styles.
  • Spearheaded one of the most high level, demanding projects - Promotional Activities. Constant collaboration with numerous departments & stakeholders to adequately lead all projects pertaining to Public Sale, Private Sale, Silent Sale, Coupons & Competitive Benchmarking.
  • Confirmed ability to lead with ease, successfully rolling out inaugural projects from start to finish - implementing all tools & systems related to promotions & ensuring teams are well equipped.
  • Highly operational - Improved numerous templates & operational know hows to optimize efficiency & clarity. Ex. Created the Sale Master File - the source of truth for countless stakeholders, including the C suite.
  • Enhanced & inaugurated the Onboarding process for the buying team to ensure optimal training process. Took the initiative to improve & streamline the onboarding process for new team members by implementing a new structure & set of norms. Created a standardized Master File for Onboarding & it is successfully being utilized to this day.
  • Demonstrated leadership capabilities by adeptly overseeing the onboarding, training, and development of my peers & numerous Buying Assistants.

Retail Buyer

Michael Kors
12.2017 - 08.2020
  • As the solely designated Buyer of the National market, I bought & managed product assortment across 7 key business categories (handbags, small leather goods, apparel, outerwear, footwear, watches & eyewear in both Ladies & Men's) for all Outlet stores across Canada
  • Developed high-level strategies for the Outlet business to ensure optimal profitability & healthy gross margin growth, surpassing financial goals
  • Identified opportunities &/or risks within product assortment & continually reacted to business trends through markdowns & promotional strategies
  • Led the development & implementation of KPI reporting templates that were leveraged company-wide
  • Conducted weekly business performance reviews to management teams & cross-functional teams
  • Partnered with Planning & Allocation to manage open-to-buy, receipts & inventory levels
  • Provided weekly direction to Visual Merchandising & Retail Communications

Buyer - Franchise Management

Aldo Group
03.2015 - 12.2017
  • Partnered with Planning to ensure Buying budget is in line with the assortment plan for all regions
  • Developed promotional strategies on a weekly basis & managed timely markdowns while achieving target gross margin
  • Implemented a post-mortem tool that was used department-wide
  • Prepared & presented post-seasonal product performance reports to upper management
  • Collaborated with Marketing, Distribution, Operations & Visual Merchandising to ensure operational health of the business

Student Career Leader

University of Waterloo
09.2013 - 04.2015
  • Provided résumé & cover letter advice to students & received excellent reviews
  • Promoted the Centre for Career Actions program by initiating marketing projects, making in-class announcements, writing articles & use of social media

Project Analyst

Aldo Group
06.2014 - 03.2015
  • Partnered with Wholesale & Private Label Account Managers to support decision-making & provide insightful analytics on growth opportunities
  • Developed financial models, P&Ls, Annual Budget, & conduct quantitative research
  • Worked closely with executive leadership to execute various ad hoc initiatives & projects

Performance & Control Analyst

Yellow Pages Group
01.2014 - 06.2014
  • Assisted Finance Directors by compiling & analyzing financial data & weekly KPIs
  • Created & managed Advertisers' Budget, Headcount Spreadsheets, Invoicing & Budgeting while demonstrating flexibility & adaptability
  • Participated in Financial Planning, working with numerous departments

Top Sales Representative

Aritzia
05.2012 - 01.2014
  • Generated the highest revenue per season, leading to six promotions by consistently exceeding organizations sales goals

Education

Bachelor of Honors Arts & Business - Honors Economics, Finance Specialization

University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
04.2015

International Business Exchange Program -

Nanyang Technological University
05.2014

Skills

  • Fluency in Excel & data manipulation
  • Strategic ability to streamline processes such as KPI reporting
  • Adept at analyzing & identifying business growth opportunities
  • Proven record of coaching, mentoring & developing a team
  • Strong self-motivation and adaptability for quick learning
  • Excellent multi-tasking, problem solving & time management

Timeline

Buyer

SSENSE
08.2020 - Current

Retail Buyer

Michael Kors
12.2017 - 08.2020

Buyer - Franchise Management

Aldo Group
03.2015 - 12.2017

Project Analyst

Aldo Group
06.2014 - 03.2015

Performance & Control Analyst

Yellow Pages Group
01.2014 - 06.2014

Student Career Leader

University of Waterloo
09.2013 - 04.2015

Top Sales Representative

Aritzia
05.2012 - 01.2014

Bachelor of Honors Arts & Business - Honors Economics, Finance Specialization

University of Waterloo

International Business Exchange Program -

Nanyang Technological University

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Jessica Chae