Sam Givens

About Sam Givens

Growth happens when strategy meets execution—and the most impactful strategies start with real consumer insight. Over the past decade, I’ve helped omnichannel brands grow by aligning product planning, merchandising, and operations with what customers actually want.From global retail to emerging media and tech, I’ve led high-impact product launches, scaled category performance, and built frameworks that turn complexity into clarity. My work often lives at the intersection of cross-functional alignment, data-backed decisions, and scalable innovation.Specializing in shaping go-to-market strategy, driving global expansion, and leading product-driven business transformation.Expertise🟦 Leadership, Training & Development🟦 Culture Building🟦 Cross-Functional Collaboration🟦 KPI & Performance Management🟦 Product Lifecycle Planning🟦 Global Business Scaling🟦 E-Commerce Platforms🟦 Consumer Behavior Analysis🟦 Forecasting & Revenue Planning🟦 Risk Mitigation & Strategic Planning🟦 Strategic Communication🟦 Technical Design / User Adoption

Experience

1. Global Merchandise Planning Manager - Pink

   Victoria’s Secret & Co.

   Jun 2024 — Present

   Defined enterprise KPIs in partnership with global leadership, driving adoption of data-backed strategies that improved cross-market performance across 76 countriesLed a cross-functional team of 6 through merchandise planning and product development cycles, driving alignment to calendar milestones, pioneering new processes, and supporting high-impact deliverables across 10 product categoriesDirected global merchandising and category expansion across key regions, including the full-market launch of PINK Brand; shaped activation strategies around local preferences, increasing catalog interaction by 33%Built integrated go-to-market and pricing strategies with cross-functional partners in marketing, finance, and supply chainImplemented forecasting and planning systems that scaled with business growth––serving 13K end usersManaged vendor relationships and streamlined capacity planning across global partners (5M+ monthly units)Shaped merchandising direction using market intelligence, aligning category-level planning with macro business goalsBuilt and facilitated global onboarding and training programs to maintain alignment on merchandising and planning

Education

• The Ohio State University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Pre-Medicine Biology (Research Distinction)

• Capital University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Finance

  2020 — 2023

Skills

• Research
• Teaching
• Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Event Planning
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Healthcare
• Higher Education
• Strategic Planning
• Microbiology
• Microscopy
• Cell Culture
• Multilingual
• Brazilian Portuguese
• Presenter
• Direct Patient Care
• Community Outreach
• Student Development
• Student Affairs
• Social Media
• Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring
• Quickbooks
• Connectwise
• Salesforce.com
• Invoicing
• Trend Analysis
• Customer Service
• Microsoft Word
• Creative Merchandising
• Retail
• Marketing
• Merchandising
• Social Networking
• Inventory Management
• Process Improvement
• Communication
• Social Media Marketing
• Project Management