Eric Sonterre

About Eric Sonterre

Strategic retail leader with 18+ years of experience driving growth, profitability, and transformation across merchandise planning, buying, and inventory management. Proven success leading billion-dollar businesses at Target and Kohl’s, with deep expertise in financial planning, assortment strategy, omnichannel operations, and cross-functional leadership.Currently leading a $1.4B division at Target, I’ve delivered outsized growth, expanded market share, and built next-generation planning and lifecycle models that accelerated speed to market and enhanced margin performance. I’m passionate about blending data-driven insights, digital enablement, and team development to create scalable, customer-first retail strategies.Known for leading through change, I’ve launched national brand partnerships, built award-winning supply chain innovations, and partnered enterprise-wide to modernize financial planning tools and talent development programs. My leadership style combines analytical rigor with creativity—focused on empowering teams, optimizing inventory, and maximizing profitability.I’m now exploring Director or Senior Director roles in retail or adjacent industries where I can continue driving transformation across merchandise planning, inventory optimization, demand planning, account management and strategic growth initiatives.Core Competencies & Keywords:Merchandise Planning | Buying | Inventory Management | Retail Strategy | Omnichannel Planning | Financial Forecasting | Product Lifecycle Management | Assortment Optimization | Vendor Partnerships | Cross-Functional Leadership | Digital Transformation | Data Analytics | Demand Planning | Margin Optimization | Supply Chain Efficiency | Enterprise Tool Development | Talent Development | P&L Ownership | Change Management | Strategic Growth

Experience

1. Director Merch Planning - Shoes Dpm

   Target

   Jul 2024 — Present · Minneapolis, MN, US

   Lead $1.3B P&L across all footwear categories including a team of 6 planners across 3 pay levels• Re-built footwear op model from the ground up delivering monthly newness on a best-in-class speed model leading to a $32M marketshare gain in 2024 and outpacing total company and total apparel results. • Total apparel financial captain partnering with finance to create division level plan and forecast guidance and hold pyramid accountable to routines and deliverables. • Negotiated and launched national partnerships with Converse and Champion, generating $50M revenue.• Partnered with sourcing, merch and inventory management to dramatically shift COP diversification from 90% China to less than 10% to reduce tariff pressure. Led apparel pyramid through tariff modeling. • Apparel and Accessories total pyramid digital leader developing and implementing new weekly, monthly and quarterly digital routines to deliver an ambitious goal of $1B digital growth in our 3-year LRP. • Disability and Mental Health business council leader driving company culture, events and awareness

Education

• University of St. Thomas

  BS, Marketing and Management

  2004 — 2008

Skills

• Marketing
• Cpfr
• Visual Merchandising
• Vendor Relations
• Apparel
• Store Management
• Customer Service
• Merchandising
• Inventory Management
• Inventory Control
• Real Estate
• Management
• Private Label
• Trend
• Shoes
• Global Sourcing
• Buying
• Knitwear
• Retail
• Textiles
• Fashion
• Replenishment
• Fashion Design
• Merchandise Planning
• Sportswear
• Pricing
• Sales
• Trend Analysis
• Profit
• Footwear
• Stores
• Negotiation
• Advertising
• Product Development
• Analysis
• Forecasting
• Profitability
• Strategy
• E-Commerce
• Assortment