Lynn Hempe

About Lynn Hempe

A retail professional with over 25 years of experience in mid-tier and full line…

Experience

1. Gvp Softlines, Baby Center & Product Development

   Meijer

   Jul 2009 — Present · Grand Rapids, MI, US

   Responsible for merchandising of Softlines including: Women\'s, Men\'s, Kids\', Shoes, Jewelry, Accessories and the Baby Center and all financial components of the $980 million business. In charge of product development for the apparel categories at Meijer. Leading a group of 88; 6 DMM\'s and Director\'s, 55 merchants and 24 Own Brand members and 3 Administrative Assistants.Directed the re-organization of the Own Brand team to include sourcing managers thereby reducing merchant travel and gained synergies in fabric and manufacturing. Led the team to deliver more trend-right styling and transitioned assortments from traditional to more contemporary. Expanded marketing to include: seasonal Lookbooks, ads in 5 national fashion magazines, and social marketing through Instgram, Facebook and Pinterest. Partnered with an outside spokesperson and trend advisor and a press consultant Revamped in-store presentation to better present product using taller walls, new fixutres, mannequins and improved signing.

Education

• Iowa State University

  BS

  1977 — 1981

Skills

• Store Operations
• Pricing Strategy
• Marketing
• Pos
• Driving Results
• Income Statement
• Hiring
• Retail Sales
• Marketing Strategy
• Retail Buying
• Assortment
• New Store Openings
• Management
• Team Building
• Private Label
• Retail
• Jda
• P&L
• Recruiting
• Product Assortment Planning
• Strategy
• Planograms
• Textiles
• Fashion
• Multi-Unit
• Cpfr
• Merchandising
• Visual Merchandising
• Big Box
• Loss Prevention
• Apparel
• Sales Management
• Store Management
• Merchandise Planning
• Trend
• Trend Forecasting
• Leadership
• Sales
• Inventory Management
• Forecasting