Maxime TISSOT

BROWZE transitioned to Portless in April 2023 following a strategic repositioning

Portless (From April 2023)

• Built and developed diverse product categories through line buying and extensive Research & Development, including apparel, jewelry, fashion accessories, and hard goods
• Managed a diverse portfolio of B2B clients and provided customized solutions for their business needs, ensuring timely communication and effective project management
• Oversaw and coordinated the cross-management of operational associates and managers in international teams

BROWZE (March 2021 - April 2023)

• Assumed a leadership role in collaboration with the CEO to develop the Home and Kitchen Merchandising strategy during the absence of the VP of Merchandising
• Managed a diverse portfolio of products in the Home & Kitchen space, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers
• Monitored industry trends to identify new business opportunities and emerging product categories for expansion
• Directed, managed, and executed the implementation of a PIM (Product Inventory Management) tool in the organization to elevate product management efficiency
• Developed and implemented a revamped SKU creation process, including thorough team training sessions
• Enhanced team productivity by providing coaching, mentoring, and training to associate category managers

• Built category assortments by combining trends, budget considerations, and sales history for effective outcomes
• Managed 500 styles per year divided into 32 categories Budget: $6.5 millions - 1.5 million units
• Maintained regular communication with vendors to guarantee timely delivery of merchandise and preemptively address any potential issues
• Closely tracked the Open-To-Buy for each category, guaranteeing a strong and profitable assortment
• Continuously monitored sales and inventory performance through key KPIs in collaboration with the allocation team to maximize the ROI for each category
• Ensured timely delivery of products by closely monitoring vendor performance and addressing any issues promptly
• Developed strong relationships with suppliers to secure favorable pricing terms and conditions for the company''s benefit
• Maintained key item stock levels and wrote or expedited purchase orders
• Collaborated with internal departments to better understand needs and determine purchasing requirements
• Communicated with vendors regarding inventory needs and negotiated prices to maintain profit margins.
• Managed and guided an Assistant Buyer

Directed trends, assortment plans, forecasts, budgets, and adapted marketing actions for the dedicated zones: Middle East, India and Asia

• Developed and managed 450 styles annually across 8 categories, resulting in 1.9 million units sold and a CAD $63M turnover
• Analyzed sales data to identify trends, gauge product performance, and inform future purchasing decisions
• Coordinated cross-functional teams to execute successful product launches within tight deadlines
• Collaborated with marketing department to develop cohesive branding strategies across all merchandising efforts for the designed zones
• Interacted with local stores managers, partners and zone directors to obtain feedback and drive satisfaction
• Boosted sales performance by effectively managing merchandise assortments and inventory levels: Increased the revenue share from 3.30% to 6% in the designated zones
• Revamped specific collections, leading to a significant turnover increase of CAD $19M in the first year
• Formulated and adjusted the pricing strategy, resulting in the sale of 625,000 units and a 3-point margin increase
• Conducted trips to dedicated areas, leveraging competition reports and meetings with business partners and store representatives to identify trends and untapped opportunities

• Led the development of collections, managing 250 annual references divided into 7 categories, representing a total value of CAD $7.5M
• Developed and oversaw seasonal assortment plans, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives
• Managed the development of collections by promoting collaboration across various departments through cross-management. Ensured alignment between assortment plans and designers' proposals
• Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers
• Regularly conducted competitive shopping to uncover missed opportunities and identify new products for launch