TAMARA L.

KEENER
407-595-3409
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tammykeener
Energetic strategic retail leader with 20+ years of expertise in a unique blend
of product development, brand management, leadership and financial planning. Cre
ative team player with demonstrated strengths in buying, negotiating, assortment
planning and identifying key trends to deliver powerful seasonal assortments. O
utstanding communicator and proven track record in negotiating with all levels o
f an organization with demonstrated strategic planning expertise.
Buying/Product Development Vendor Negotiations Communication
Brand Management Assortment Planning Strategic Planning
Financial Planning and Analysis Team Building & Leadership Visual Merchandising
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WALT DISNEY WORLD COMPANY-Orlando, FL 1997-2009
Location/Brand Planner (Merchant), Walt Disney World Resorts 2002-2009
Developed and executed seasonal product assortments and brand strategies insurin
g alignment to seasonal financial category plans.
* Selected product assortments from seasonal product lines of business that off
ered a balanced and consistent consumer experience for 24 shops that generate $9
5M.
* Partnered with cross functional teams to develop and implement new and rehabb
ed store designs, floorplans and grand openings. Ensure product assortments and
correct inventory levels were in place to support brand.
* Played an integral role in the creation of merchandise and company initiative
s resulting in significant improved sales and margins that enhanced revenue by 1
5% or 12M over historical revenue.
* Led and managed weekly meetings with product development and operational part
ners to review business results and capitalize on any opportunities.
* Maintained knowledge of market conditions regarding price, resources and fash
ion as they related to overall trends and how they impact immediate sales.
* Directed and communicated with visual merchandise team and store operations o
n new deliveries, product information and placement to ensure that strategies we
re executed as planned.
* Selected as a member of the JANUS creative group that generated over 1200 uni
que and innovative merchandise product development ideas to guarantee the organi
zation exceed its created mission and business objectives.
* Received Partner of the Year award in 2005 and nominated for Partners in Exce
llence achievement award-Disney's highest honor.
* Coached and mentored 3 specialists in an environment of continual learning an
d development.
Associate Product Developer/Buyer, Kids Fashion Apparel/Costumes 2000-2002
Travelled internationally and domestically for manufacturer sourcing and private
label development of all aspects of a $21M business from assortment planning to
delivery of product.
* Increased girls fashion top business $1M over prior year by introducing trend
right core key items. Redesigned Character costumes to match actual in Park wal
k around characters and increased category by 22%.
* Partnered with planning team to select key items and develop seasonal departm
ental, class and sub-class plans that utilized historical performance, current b
usiness climate and data.
Associate Product Developer/Buyer, Kids Fashion Apparel/Costumes (con't)
* Drove development flow through timely approval of art execution, lab dips and
fabric approvals in addition to partnering with technical design to approve gar
ment fit and to ensure product execution met the design aesthetic and quality st
andards of over 1200 skus annually.
* Directed interaction with creative art team in conceptualizing character and
art stories making sure that brand integrity, copyright regulations, production
methods and product needs were met.
* Managed a large domestic and international vendor structure to ensure the dev
elopment of brand and quality product through competitive cost, timely negotiati
ons and sourcing of fabrics and trims.
* Communicated business trends and selling of key items at weekly executive sel
ling meetings.
* Conducted store visits to evaluate assortments, productivity, merchandise pre
sentation and inventory levels to maximize business results.
* Amplified awareness of current trends in marketplace through competitive shop
ping, trend reports and conceptual trend presentations.
Associate Product Developer/Buyer, Adult & Kids Accessories 1999-2000
Managed all aspects of development for a $37M business.
* Managed specific product categories through all aspects of product developmen
t process: conception, packaging development, cost, margin adherence, production
, delivery, and sales analysis.
* Built sunglass business from $8M to $12M business by changing product mix, su
ccessfully rolling out in shop vendor servicing and introducing new Branded eyew
ear resources.
* Executed merchandise line reviews giving direction, focus and pertinent infor
mation to executive leadership after working in tandem with planning partners to
developing seasonal plans.
* Developed quick turn around product with domestic vendors in order to capital
ize on in season successes and to fulfill inventory needs.
* Globally sourced styles with various factories to achieve the most viable cos
t and margin while upholding product integrity of 500 skus.
* Received Team of the Year award for the highest positive increases, 35% over
prior year.
Merchandise Planner 1997-1999
Developed financial plans for a $27M category based on history, presentation/cap
acity and attendance projections.
* Directly accountable for sales, gross margin, turn, COG's and markdown target
s. Placed all reorders and provided product developers with new sku inventory pr
ojections.
* Managed bottoms-up financial plans for core items while managing top-down pla
ns at subclass level.
* Analyzed business performance and recommended financial strategy adjustments
through initial plan development, sales, inventory and monthly re-forecasting.
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.-Warrendale, PA 1996-1997
Merchandise Planner
Accountable for financial planning of three departments generating $158M for 306
stores.
* Grew the ladies division 30% or $48M by recommending a new growth oriented ap
proach to the existing product strategy in the ladies knit category.
* Projected and re-analyzed sales adapting to sales trends and business opportu
nities.
 * International travel for sourcing, buying and cost negotiations of new produc
t.
EXPRESS-Division of The Limited, Inc. Columbus OH 1989-1996
Regional Distributor 1992-1996
Facilitated prompt flow of merchandise based on stock to sales ratios, turn, WOS
, and trend.
Assistant Buyer, Woven's 1990-1992
Developed product and planned seasonal assortments for $160M woven shirt departm
ent.
* Partnered with domestic vendors to find new test and roll items for the depar
tment.
* Responsible for all lab dip approvals and fabric approvals.
* Collaborated with partners to develop and implement a Quality Assurance progr
am for the company.
* Communicated with overseas partners to negotiate pricing and production capac
ity to ensure on time deliveries for seasonal floorsets.
* Participated in and gathered information for weekly executive top/bottom revi
ew meetings
* Minimized delivery slides and cancellations within the department through com
munications with vendors highlighting any issues around delivery dates, order co
mmitments, size breaks and possible quality issues.
Sales Manager 1989-1990
Managed a $2 million business; coached and trained 50 employees; exceeded sales
goals.
LERNER---Division of the Limited, Inc. New York, NY and San Francisco, CA 1986-1
989
Assistant Buyer, Sweaters 1988-1989
Assisted in all aspects of buying, assorting, analyzing and negotiating for a $7
7M business.
Sales Manager 1986-1988
Managed 30 union employees; consistently exceeded sales goals for a $1M business
.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Fashion Merchandising
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Disney University
Professional courses in Creative & Strategic Thinking, Negotiating, Leadership,
Management, Coaching and Mentoring and Communication