Transformative OMNI-CHANNEL Planning and Allocation Leader

Summary

Robin Gray
Never has the rate of change in customer expectations and technological capability been so rapid. Only those that are nimble and innovative thrive. Can you transform your paradigm fast enough to keep pace?

Timeline

  1. -
    Director, Merchandise Planning, Merry Go Round Enterprises

    Created a Merchandise Planning function while implementing the JDA Arthur Planning suite and upgrading Island Pacific. Partnered with the liquidators to wind down the company.

  2. -
    VP, Planning & Allocation, American Eagle Outfitters

    Responsible for all merchandise planning, allocation, and merchandise control functions across both the U.S. and Canada. Starting as Sr. Director of Planning with 5 planners, built a Planning & Allocation team of 82 that included Merchandise Analytics, Price Management, PO Management, and Systems Adminstration in support of growth to $1.5B. Played key role as member of executive team in the creation and implementation of the American Eagle brand. Developed methodology to support growth from a 300 store regional retailer to 700+ store national retailer. Established planning cycle and processes, and implemented Arthur Planning system in support. Partnered with CMO on launch of ae.com e-commerce business. Developed and implemented Planning and Allocation approach to launch AE Canada. Implemented inventory management disciplines that enabled company to achieve highest-ever margin rates, thus achieving record earnings.

  3. -
    VP, Merchandise Planning & Allocation, Bluenotes (American Eagle Outfitters)

    Relocated to the Greater Toronto Area to re-engineer the Planning and Allocation function at the newly acquired Bluenotes division. Partnered with president to implement company's repositioning strategy. Implemented advanced Merchandise Planning processes. Re-aligned Merchandising processes to support monthly floor-sets. Upgraded Allocations processes to raise inventory efficiency. Managed Supply Chain and 3rd party distribution center.

  4. -
    VP, Merchandise Planning & Allocation, Martin & Osa (American Eagle Outfitters)

    Created the Planning function at the start up of the new division. Adapted existing corporate processes to fit the much smaller division. Partnered with the CFO to align the merchandise strategies and the financial goals. Collaborated with IT to develop the systems implementation strategy. Created the merchandise and assortment plans for the launch.

  5. -
    VP, Planning, Allocation & Logistics, Club Monaco (Polo Ralph Lauren)

    Introduced inventory management disciplines focused on sales and margin, resulting in record profitability. Enhanced the product lifecycle by introducing such processes as hindsighting. Drove introduction of cross-border allocation from US DC to Canadian stores, thus improving inventory efficiency and flexibility.

  6. -
    VP, Merchandise Planning & Analysis, DSW

    Responsible for taking start-up Merchandise Planning function to mature state. Redesigned planning methodology and implemented JDA Enterprise Planning to support new processes. Integrated specialty retail methodolgies to existing merchandising product cycles. Realigned team responsibilities to better meet the needs of the business.

  7. -
    SVP, Planning & Allocation, dressbarn (ascena retail group)

    Responsible for creating Merchandise Planning, Location Planning and Merchandise Analysis functions from nothing, and re-engineering Allocation and Merchandise Operations/MIO functions, to drive transformation to a vertical specialty retailer. Through innovative and inclusive leadership, built world class teams in each function.

    Drove key initiatives such as:

    Localization: Created processes that resulted in individualized store level plans aligned to the product strategies. Developed integrated Merchandise Planning and Location Planning tools to streamline creation of the store plans. Impacted buy strategies to drive incremental sales and margin in key categories.

    Inventory Management: Drove inventory reductions that resulted in 7 consecutive quarters of record margins. Managed inventory aging to minimize margin impact. Introduced sizing methodology to drive in-stocks and margin growth, reduce unproductive inventory. Created processes to share and re-balance inventory between the store and online channels.

    BI: Championed the introduction of MicroStrategy. Partnered with IT and Finance to expand the base Oracle RDW data warehouse. Co-led BI strategy with the CFO.

  8. -
    Principal, Columbus Consulting International

    Leveraging over 20 years of Planning and Allocation leadership experience to develop a new business process from first principles for a major retailer. Creating an innovative process to improve the effectiveness of inventory deployment across stores and fulfillment centers, starting at product concept through to final delivery utilizing a complex, multi-tier supply chain.

Education Highlights

  • Strozzi Institute
    Leadership Development
  • University of Westminster
    B.Sc. (Hons) Computer Science

Links

Location

United States