Kelli Cohen

About Kelli Cohen

With over 30 years of experience driving substantial growth in diverse retail sectors, I specialize in elevating product offerings and strategic merchandising to align with consumer demand and market trends. My expertise encompasses leading high-stakes product development and merchandising initiatives that significantly boost revenue and marketpresence.At the core of my approach is a keen analytical acumen paired with visionary strategic planning. I have spearheadedtransformative merchandising strategies that have resulted in sales growth from $44M to $110M over four years at TJX,capitalizing on key market opportunities and expanding product ranges strategically. My ability to forecast and respond to market trends allowed for a 158% increase in YoY sales by optimizing online merchandising strategies during the pandemic at Sagebrook.As a leader, I am committed to nurturing high-performing teams. By expanding the product development team from one to seven members at Sagebrook, I created a dynamic and supportive environment that fostered creativity and innovation, meeting the capacity demand. I ensure clear direction, consistent communication, and strategic alignmentacross all levels of product development and merchandising processes.I excel in:* Strategic Risk Management: Driving profitability and growth through calculated risks and informed decision-making.* Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing advanced analytics and BI tools to enhance product lines and adjuststrategies in real time.* Vendor and Stakeholder Engagement: Building and maintaining strong relationships with vendors and keystakeholders, which are crucial for collaborative success and operational excellence.I\'m passionate about delivering excellence in every facet of merchandising and product development, from inception to consumer hands. My approach not only ensures financial success but also enhances consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty through thoughtful product innovation and market adaptation.Besides work, I\'m an avid exerciser and outdoor enthusiast, enjoying skiing and various fitness activities that keep me energized and inspired. My leisure activities, like thumbing through catalogs and product focused social media along with shopping, not only fuel my professional insights but also fulfill my personal joy in discovering and setting trends.If you\'re looking for a dedicated VP/Director who can transform challenges into profitable opportunities and lead yourteam towards unprecedented growth, let\'s connect at k••••••••@gmail.com.

Experience

1. Vice President Sales and Merchandising

   Sagebrook Home

   Feb 2017 — Present · Los Angeles, CA, US

   I have steered the transformation of Sagebrook Home product lines, boosting sales from $5M to $80M since 2017 through strategic product development and innovative merchandising strategies.Enhancing our operational efficiency and profitability, I renegotiated contracts and optimized our product mix, which led to a 25% improvement in gross margins between 2021 and 2024. My focus on data-driven decision making and detailed market analysis enabled us to adapt purchasing strategies effectively, minimizing freight costs and reducing inventory excess, thereby safeguarding our profit margins.I also spearheaded a strategic overhaul of inventory management processes, significantly enhancing efficiency by implementing initiatives that cut lead times, streamlined approvals, and expedited purchase orders. These improvements not only ensured faster speed to market but also boosted our inventory management efficiency by 30% within the last three years.I dramatically expanded our market reach and diversified our product portfolio by spearheading entry into the garden business segment in 2018, resulting in a robust 35-40% increase in overall business volume. Our proactive expansion into categories, like planters and statuary not only captured new customer segments but also reinforced our market leadership.SELECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS- Expanded sourcing operations across India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Mexico, diversifying product offerings and strengthening vendor relationships to satisfy market demands- Collaborated with marketing to develop cohesive visual merchandising strategies, including lookbooks, social media, and showroom presentations, aligning with market trends- Consistently engaged with major buyers to develop products tailored to current trends, achieving high satisfaction levels and expanding sales with top accounts like TJX, Burlington Stores, Ross, At Home, and Bealls.

Education

• University of Oregon

  BS, Business Admin