Caroline Chandler

About Caroline Chandler

I am an analyst and planner at heart. My heart skips for data, really, I\'m not joking. I have spent over ten years in retail and distribution. It has made me this way. It has taught me to stay on my toes, never settle, and always look for ways to improve. What I have learned is that while numbers are key, they only go so far. A positive and successful assortment relies on the environment that you create to allow it to thrive. Every interaction you have as a merchant directly translates to a positive experience for the customer. Every vendor call, internal team meeting, and connection with the sales force should be treated with full attention. The result is the perfect harmony of good numbers and a positive experience. When I first moved into the world of Home Depot Pro I was uncertain if I would have the same excitement for an assortment revolving around cleaning chemicals and lightbulbs. As I settled in I quickly found out my assumptions were wrong. I was able to expand out of a few hundred feet into a vast network of warehouses connected by a world-class supply chain. I was invigorated by the world of customers I could reach, the solutions I could drive, the innovation I could launch. Every day there was a new challenge and opportunity to learn and become a better merchant than I was the day before. I start every morning analyzing the day before. Some people need coffee – I need my reports. I manage inventory, price-points, average sale, capture rate, and profit. I get a surge of excitement when I see the sales spike for an item I re-evaluated the week before. As a result, my category is now a well-oiled machine and I have the profits to prove it. I have my roots in retail and the skills it has taught me work across many fields of business. The bottom line, I like to work. I like to work hard. I like to work fast because time is money. I like to crunch data because I like being informed. I like to be creative because that is what engages consumers. I like being precise because without execution nothing matters. I like what I do and that\'s where you get results.

Experience

1. Category Merchant

   HD Supply

   Dec 2021 — Present

Education

• University of Central Florida

  Bachelor of Arts (BA), Art History