Kris Thomas
Mississauga
Summary
Dynamic professional with over 20 years of experience in merchandising, retail, and customer service, specializing in strategic sales planning, inventory management, and vendor relations to drive significant revenue growth. Proven ability to cultivate collaborative partnerships and identify new business opportunities that enhance overall success. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and currently advancing skills through an Accounting Assistant college program. Thrives in fast-paced environments, equipped with strong organizational skills that facilitate effective multitasking across various projects with precision.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Buyer (Multiple Categories in Beauty and Home)
TSC – Today’s Shopping Choice (formerly The Shopping Channel)
01.2006 - 03.2025
- Accountable for planning and executing strategic sales goals by ensuring effective product selection, strong vendor/ supplier relations.
- Develop and maintain solid vendor relationships; use strong negotiating skills to secure allowances, terms, funding, exclusives, and 1st to market.
- Attend trade shows and supplier meetings to source new and unique products, to evaluate upcoming trends and maintain competitor awareness.
- Analyze on air & web sales history/ trends, manage inventory levels, ensure inventory turn goals were achieved based on yearly/ monthly forecast.
- Create and manage vendor purchase orders, controlled prices and ensured quality from conception to delivery of materials and ensure vendor obligations are met.
- Responsible for forecasting and inventory management by assessing turnover, replenishment and development of appropriate exit strategies.
- Effectively build compelling merchandising programs for on air and online with vendor base and internal cross functional teams.
- Partnered with cross functional teams to design promotional campaigns to increase customer engagement and brand visibility.
- Ensure assortment, marketing and merchandising strategies support the overarching category goals, always ensuring that plan is supported with customer centric focus.
- Interact regularly with vendors and senior management to identify new products and upcoming trends.
- Examine market trends, reports, sales history and other information to select products that will meet specific customer needs and sell based on specific geographic locations/demographics.
- Provide coaching and direction for knowledge and development of support teams and direct reports.
Associate Buyer
TSC – Today’s Shopping Choice (formerly The Shopping Channel)
10.2004 - 01.2006
- Worked closely with the Buyer to develop programs and strategies in order to meet or exceed targets.
- Assisted the Buyer in the planning and preparation of the monthly calendars and ensured proper execution was finalized through all required departments.
- Ensured that all programs uphold the high standards set out in TSC Customer First Attitude program.
- Collaborated with Web, Promotions and Marketing teams in a timely fashion in order to ensure that all shows/catalogue programs receive both accurate and the appropriate amount of promotions and marketing opportunities to help support on air shows.
- Supported buying team with vendor negotiations, communication and support.
- Accountable for contributing to category targets and deliverables.
- Ensured ongoing stock levels for auto ship and core product assortment.
Merchandise Programmer
TSC – Today’s Shopping Choice (formerly The Shopping Channel)
11.2000 - 10.2004
- Responsible for scripting shows and ensuring all details are followed to ensure the targeted plan is met regarding sales, margins and programming themes are met.
- Work closely with buyers and vendors to ensure all production needs, model requirements, on-air support and show line-ups are created to ensure smooth show flows to achieve sales targets.
- Monitor shows during business hours as well as after hours to ensure that all production elements are followed and that problems are addressed immediately with buyers, production and vendors.
- Report sales figures internally on a show by show basis and revise shows as necessary to achieve sales targets.
Store Manager
Black’s Photography
01.1995 - 11.2000
- Planned and analyzed yearly and monthly budgets.
- Managed, trained and hired employees; responsible for staff schedule and submitting payroll to head office.
- Attended yearly and monthly strategy meetings.
- Responsible for reporting weekly sales analysis and customer count to Regional Manager on a weekly basis and reporting quality reports on a monthly basis.
- Maintained inventory levels on a regular basis.
- Executed proper in store merchandising based on corporate promotions.
- Assisted customers with orders, photography tips and challenges.
Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
Outdoor Canada
08.1988 - 03.1992
- Maintained and updated a comprehensive customer database for Outdoor shows, ensuring accurate records of business types and booth sizes.
- Arranged contracts and invoicing, streamlining financial processes for the sales team.
- Supported a sales team of 20 by efficiently managing correspondence and setting up show site offices.
- Developed strong organizational skills through various administrative tasks, including filing, creating correspondence, managing all incoming and outgoing mailings, posting financial transactions, and ordering supplies.
- Built strong customer service skills while performing reception duties which included greeting clients, answering phones, assisting vendors and public attendees at trade shows.
Education
High School Diploma -
Lakeshore Collegiate Institute
Skills
- Multi-tasking strength
- Relationship building
- Client support
- Strategic planning
- Financial planning
- Retail merchandising management
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Critical thinking
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Buyer (Multiple Categories in Beauty and Home)
TSC – Today’s Shopping Choice (formerly The Shopping Channel)
01.2006 - 03.2025
Associate Buyer
TSC – Today’s Shopping Choice (formerly The Shopping Channel)
10.2004 - 01.2006
Merchandise Programmer
TSC – Today’s Shopping Choice (formerly The Shopping Channel)
11.2000 - 10.2004
Store Manager
Black’s Photography
01.1995 - 11.2000
Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
Outdoor Canada
08.1988 - 03.1992
High School Diploma -
Lakeshore Collegiate Institute
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