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.

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. 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 them with 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 Class Honours degree: Fashion Management and Marketing, Southampton Solent University

Whilst studying here I developed my knowledge in understanding the roles and responsibilities of buyers and merchandisers whilst gaining marketing knowledge and expertise. I also became familiar with fashion theorists and applying their models to current day situations enabling organisations to utilise strategic marketing plans.

2004 - NVQ level 3 in Business Administration, ECDL, Key Skills, Technical Certificate

2004 A-levels: Sociology (C); Travel and Tourism (C)

2004 AS levels: Sociology (C); General Studies (C); English Literature (C)

2002 GCSEs: English Language (B); English Literature (A); French (A); Mathematics (C); Geography (B); Design and Technology (C); Information Technology (C); Religious Education (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.