More Information

Innovative, Enthusiastic, Creative, Dedicated, Perceptive, and Original. Ready, willing and able to take on design challenges in today’s face-paced world of corporate fashion; with the skills, talents, attitude and experience to succeed.

KATHLEEN ANN STEWART

6252 186th PL NE. #202
Redmond, WA 98052
408-318-1773
katstewart@mac.com

SUMMARY
Innovative, Enthusiastic, Persevering, Dedicated, Creative, Perceptive, Original

• Computerized Flat Sketching
• Knowledge of creating technical packets of specs and fit requirements utilizing Gerber web based PDM
• Basic knowledge of textiles, suitability of fabrics, construction, fabric weight and cost
• Knowledge in developing a Merchandising & Production Calendar
• Knowledge in analyzing predictive trend reports and lifestyle business trends
• Negotiation Skills, Vendor Relations
• Knowledge of Retail Environment
• Line Sheet Development

EDUCATION
FIDM/ The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Los Angeles, CA December 2006
Professional Designation Merchandise Product Development
President’s Honor Roll

BS in Apparel and Textiles Utah State University Logan, UT May 2003
Minor in Clothing and Textiles, Minor in Apparel Design

WORK EXPERIENCE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Versatile, highly organized Assistant with strong leadership, product merchandising, and analytical skills in the retail industry. Energetic and creative individual with solid communication, customer service, and people skills. Hardworking, decisive, performs with high energy and always a team player.

COMPUTER SKILLS
• Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, SharePoint

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SALES / LUCKY BRAND 2013 - Current Employer
Hired to sell men’s and women’s apparel, handbags, shoes, and jewelry. Promoted to supervisor. Responsibilities included training and supervising staff, exceptional customer service, inventory management, merchandising and setting the store with new product.
• Promoted to key holder supervisor position for holiday season
• Assumed responsibility for all jewelry in store, including inventory and merchandising
• 2nd highest Units Per Transactions for entire store for end of year
• Exceeded sales expectations, entire store earned maximum bonus in October for selling over 20% of store sales goal

CLAIMS ANALYST / EPIQ 2012 –2013
Hired to assist team with extensive correspondence for case litigation. Out of eight hires, was the only employee retained to support Air Passenger team at completion of payment cycle. Responsibilities included responding to daily emails, researching and finding answers to claimant questions, and updating claimant files.
• Collaborated on a six-person team to implement new claim response guidelines resulting in over 2,500 claim responses in a single month, highest of all team members.
• Produced a daily average of 40 claimant responses, by researching and responding to claimant questions, top 20% of all analysts.
• Became “go-to-employee” for Air Passenger guidelines and compliance regulations.

ASSISTANT MANAGER / HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER / KMART 2010 - 2012
Hired as Human Resources Manager to recruit for open store vacancies, and assist with conflict resolution between management and associates. Responsible for curriculum development and delivery of new hire orientation. Promoted to Assistant Manager within 8 months (normal promotion after 2-5 years). Responsible for $1.0M of a $2.5M store revenue and 10-person department.
• Increased quarterly “bedding and apparel” sales by 46% by adjusting inventory counts, correcting planograms, and coordinating with department staff.
• Improved “Softline” in-store scoring from 80% to 100% by leading cross department coordination, implementing new company standards, and maintaining high follow through with associates.
• Overhauled and increased the efficiency and marketability of “jewelry counter”, saving $5,000 in monthly inventory.
• Generated over $3,000 monthly inventory savings by devising and implementing innovative “makeup” inventory management strategies.
• Corrected “pillow” in-stock inventory errors and implemented processes to ensure ongoing accuracy in future.
• Saved store $720 by recognizing and eliminating in-store security threat.
• Executed aggressive hiring ramp, recruiting 30 employees within 8 months and increasing retention rate by 20%.

PRINCIPLE / WYNK & NOD 2008 - 2010
Started own business designing bedding for teens and college dorm rooms. Contacted vendors for sample and production pricing. Utilized Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator while designing seasonal bedding patterns.
• Designed bedding, fabricated textile prints and developed new skills in Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator.

DESIGN ASSISTANT / MGT INC. 2007 – 2008
Hired to assist 4 designers, 4 assistant designers, 4 buyers, 3 owners and act as liaison between design and production teams. Completed organization of Trim Library, Pantone Color Library and Art Library. Worked on design projects for Nordstrom, Macy’s, JC Penney, Wal-Mart, Ross and TJ Maxx. Worked on lines Linia Donatella and In Bloom by Jonquil. Utilized Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
• Designed creative private label textile prints for Christmas (saving $800 per run).
• Designed innovative private label embroidery pattern for Valentines (saving $500 per run).
• Categorized trim selections, increasing productivity by 67% in time spent searching for trim items, by eliminating duplicates, creating new entries in trim library, ordering new trim, and discarding outdated trim.
• Formulated and redesigned new lace pattern (saving $800 per run) including sending design to vendor electronically overseas (saving time and shipping costs).

ADDITIONAL PART-TIME RETAIL POSITIONS
Worked various part-time positions in retail settings to augment income or while trying to start own business (Wink & Nod)

MERCHANDISER / MCG 2010 – CURRENT
Hired to merchandise and maintain brand presence in store. Coordinated and implemented brand resets and monthly maintenance.
• Recognized as a highly productive employee. One example … completed folding, sizing and correct product placement of boys Levis display in just 4 hours. Normal pace would take over 8 hours. Received management recognition for effort.
• Serviced 8 stores weekly during the 2012 Christmas season.

MERCHANDISER / CROSSMARK 2009-2010
Hired to merchandise and maintain brand presence in store. Coordinated and implemented overnight resets.
• Supervised a series of overnight brand changeovers by coordinating with store manager and leading the team in a total reset of the planogram and display fixture.

START TEAM / MACY’S 2008 – 2009
Hired for start team to merchandise new items on store floor. Pulled outdated items for overstock resell and maintaining area merchandising. Advanced to oversee high-end women’s area with Ralph Lauren, Lucky Brand, and DKNY. Trained new employees.

EDUCATION
• Professional Degree in Merchandise Product Development / Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising magna cum laude / 2006
➢ Presidents Honor Roll
• Bachelor Science Apparel and Textiles / Utah State University / 2003
➢ Barbara Fitzgerald and David K. Hulme Scholarship

PERSONAL
• Volunteered in church programs, planning events and activities since 1999
• Designed costumes for non-profit theaters in Bozeman, MT and Los Angeles, CA
• Enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and staying current on fashion trends