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TODD R.

BENDTSCHNEIDER
Chicago, Illinois 60605 (312) 952-1143 ToddB29@msn.com

SENIOR LEADERSHIP: MERCHANDISING MANAGEMENT


E-Commerce ~ Merchandising ~ Marketing ~ Consumer Loyalty ~ Incentive

Analytical, business-minded, and sales-savvy professional with an extensive background in merchandising management,
coupled with proven success in pinpointing opportunities, maximizing efficiencies, and enhancing productivity.
Highly successful in reducing costs, developing new products, and providing advertising support.
Demonstrated expertise in developing and establishing high-impact merchandise assortments for print and web catalogs.
Accomplished in driving competitive pricing and providing key insights for RFPs.
Proactive contributor to client presentations in support of sales growth initiatives.
Innovative problem solver with experience in defining business requirements for analytical tools and partnering with IT
to streamline merchandising operations through the development of merchandise and pricing databases.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Client Merchandise Programs Consumer Loyalty/Incentive Programs Merchandise Redemption Increases
Product Merchandising Sales Activity Analysis Gross Margins Competitive Price Point Opportunities
Strategic Planning Pricing Model Development Supplier Negotiations & Management RFP Preparation
B2B & B2C Merchandising & Sales Analysis Tool Creation Client Presentations Inventory Management
Supply Chain Management New Product Development Merchandise / Gift Card Pricing & Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

INFINITY RESOURCES, INC. / DBA SUPER D; Itasca, Illinois 2010 – 2011


Worldwide wholesaler of CD’s, DVD’s, Vinyl, Blu-ray, Video Games & General Merchandise.

Merchandising Manager – General Merchandise


Management of suppliers, product assortments, web taxonomies and promotion of Electronics, Housewares, Video
Games, Media Storage, Costumes, Party Supplies, Golf, Fragrances, Toys and Games for:
WWW.DeepDiscount.com web site. Research new product categories and develop EDI drop-ship supply lines,
collaborating with IT specifying EDI requirements to develop catalog, inventory, purchasing, invoicing, shipping
feeds and related problem resolution. Development of pricing structures to meet corporate goals and competitive
positioning with other e-tailers. Deployment of creative requests, direction & approval for Landing Pages, Banners
& Buttons, promotional e-mails and affiliate placements.

Selected Accomplishments:
Sourced alternate drop ship supplier for electronics and housewares increasing available SKU’s from 680 to over 3,000
and increasing gross margins over 10%. Documented all EDI requirements for IT to develop all required feeds. Set up
web taxonomies for added categories.
Launched golf category exceeding corporate margin goals while maintaining competitive pricing. Developed all related
procedures for ordering, invoicing, shipping and confirmation for non EDI supplier. Managed all web content and
product assortment maximizing close out opportunities to maximize volume.
Determined appropriate drop ship Jewelry supplier for web merchandise expansion adding a potential 4,000 SKU’s and
proforma incremental sales in excess of $300,000. Negotiated favorable commission structure and documentation of all
EDI requirements for procedures and web content data feeds.
Instrumental in positioning company to attract investors for further expansion through the continued growth and
profitability of General Merchandise for a site that was predominantly CD, DVD & Blu-ray oriented.
TODD R. BENDTSCHNEIDER ToddB29@msn.com PAGE TWO

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HINDA INCENTIVES, INC., Chicago, Illinois 2004 – 2009


Industry leader offering a wide range of domestic & international incentive programs.
Merchandise Manager
Provided leadership to 4 buyers and 7 support staff. Managed over 4,000 web catalog SKUs. Oversaw the development of
merchandise assortments with a focus on gross margin requirements. Supported incentive and consumer loyalty programs for
clients. Aligned client programs with Hinda’s bottomline business objectives. Kept tight controls on inventory levels to meet
budget forecasts, client programs, and seasonal requirements. Formulated pricing models. Expanded product portfolio to
media category of books, DVD’s and electronic games. Established direct web link from e-catalog to supplier of event tickets.

Championed and led efforts to include and enlarge environmental and socially responsible categories. Facilitated delivery of
program requirements, improved problem resolution, and addressed client requests through established alliances with sales
and relationship managers. Formed analysis on merchandise assortments, strategy, and programs and presented findings and
assumptions to key clients. Leveraged cross-functional relationships to enhance the success of programs, including working
with warehouse, customer service, IT, web developers, accounting, and program management departments.

Selected Accomplishments:
Played a pivotal role in boosting sales, helping the company to achieve 500% growth over 5 years.
Slashed program quote and RFP response times by 75% (with an error rate of 0%); partnered with IT to build an
automated product database to facilitate merchandise selection and variable pricing model creation.
Grew gift card and debit card programs to contribute 18% to total company sales, while trimming procurement costs by
$150,000 over a 9-month period by negotiating costs and contracts with suppliers.
Increased supplier funding by 200% by maximizing VIR’s, ad allowances, and media space on e-catalog web site.
Optimized the turnover rate for inventory, achieving 16 turns/year.
Minimized inventory and reduced warehouse overhead costs with virtual delivery of gift cards.

CARLSON MARKETING GROUP; Plymouth, Minnesota & Sydney, Australia 1988 – 2003
Global marketing services company with 3 lines of business: Carlson 1to1, Sales & Marketing Services, Meetings & Events.

Merchandise Manager (2001 – 2003)


Leveraged extensive experience working with data, demographics, and regional markets, as well as industry knowledge to
develop catalog and special program merchandise assortments/strategy. Guided a team of 7 buyers to exceed corporate targets
(annual sales of $86 million). Championed best practices, ensured competitive pricing, and maximized inventory
management.

Served as resident SME and forged cross-functional working relationships with IT, program management, sales, web catalog,
catalog production, accounting, and senior management. Played a key role in developing systems, analyzing data, and
generating reports with a focus on meeting merchandising, inventory, and accounting targets. Orchestrated buying efforts,
ensuring a healthy product mix. Merchandised all audio and video electronics.

Selected Accomplishments:
Boosted supplier funding over 300% through volume allowances, ,ad allowances, and media space on web catalog site.
Attained 5.2 inventory turns, kept back-orders under 5% of sales, reducing inventory by $2 million.
Bolstered productivity, met pricing targets, and surpassed corporate gross margin goals by joining forces with IT to
develop a merchandise presentation and pricing system.

Senior Merchandiser / Buyer (2000 – 2001)


Strengthened supplier relations. Defined product assortments for audio and video electronics (about 38% of total merchandise
sales). Increased discounts, volume allowances, and marketing support income by aggregating spend with suppliers.
TODD R. BENDTSCHNEIDER ToddB29@msn.com PAGE THREE

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Business Development Manager – Sydney, Australia (1998 – 2000)


Supported catalog and web merchandising for client incentive, loyalty, and consumer programs for globally
dispersed operations. Set standards and procedures for merchandising, inventory, warehousing, delivery, purchasing,
supplier relations, and invoicing for the Australasia region.
Catapulted gross margins by 15%; introduced new pricing strategies while retaining market competitiveness.
Slashed overhead costs by 12% via the outsourcing of warehousing and fulfillment operations.

Senior Merchandiser / Buyer (1996 – 1998)


Streamlined catalog analysis and facilitated merchandising decisions with measurable metrics by contributing to the
establishment of new merchandise classification system and analytical reports.
Helped to reduce back orders, impact turnover, and minimized obsolete stock; recognized as the Subject Matter Expert to
lead selection processes and define business requirements and testing protocols for a new inventory control system.
Final assortment determination for all client program merchandise and gift card assortments and directly merchandised
all audio & video electronics categories.

Additional roles at Carlson Marketing Group included: Merchandiser / Buyer from 1990 – 1996. Details on request.
: Merchandise Consultant from 1988 – 1990.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science – Production & Operations Management
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

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