WENDIE S.

SCHUERMAN
562 Harbor Road Brick, NJ 08724 http:www.linkedin.com/in/wendiesschuerman Cell: (201) 665-7197 E-mail: wensch@aol.com

SENIOR EXECUTIVE PROFILE

President / Vice President / Director Dynamic leadership career as an innovative senior merchandising, production planning / sourcing, and product development executive for industry-leading apparel and accessories companies. 20+-year record of driving brand awareness in markets worldwide to deliver multi-million dollar revenue and profit growth. Combine in-depth product lifecycle and project management expertise with branded, private label, and licensed product experience. Excellent analytical, organizational, negotiation, problem solving, and executive administrative skills. Commanding presence with strong executive-level presentation skills and an ability to motivate and lead to success. BS in Fashion Merchandising & Apparel Design.

CORE EXPERTISE & ACHIEVEMENTS

SALES & MARKETING LEADERSHIP Brand Strategizing & Management, New Market Penetration, Key Accounts, Competitive & Market Analysis, Account Capture, Team Leadership Recruited by Aris Isotoners President to maximize global sales and brand recognition for all categories, driving product efforts from concept through production that grew sales from $182M to $275M in 3 years. Provided innovative leadership, product development, and global sourcing expertise as head of merchandising and production planning for Liz Claibornes Accessories Division, enhancing margin and delivering $20M revenue growth across all categories in less than 4 years. Achieved 25% market growth and expanded footprint of Route 66, the $1.3B licensed product division of Bonjour Corporation, maintaining brand identity while crafting and executing winning strategy that resulted in 13% volume and 15% penetration growth in Kmart stores for categories including sportswear, outerwear, swimwear, activewear, accessories, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, small leather goods, handbags, luggage, and intimate apparel. Augmented sales by $40M and distribution by 150 stores nationwide for Chaus by capturing additional specialty accounts, creating core basic items as separates for department store accounts, and developing / merchandising separate lines for specialty stores. Lifted sales by $10M and gross margin by 3 points for Aris Isotoner by redesigning product lines catering to color, price, packaging, and fixturing preferences of individual countries following competitive research in Canada, the U.K., and France. NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCT MANAGEMENT / DEVELOPMENT Global Sourcing, Production, Category Development, Project Management, Product Design, Pricing, Packaging, Merchandising, Launch Revamped Aris Isotoner women's, men's, and children's glove lines creating new styles (including Weathershed, Wonderfit, Eureka, and NBA / NFL licensed lines), higher-capacity retail fixtures, product packaging, and pricing to increase volume by $24M, lift average sell-thru by 11%, and reduce returns by 23%. Championed double-digit volume and profit growth for Liz Claibornes Accessories Division increasing belt volume by $5M and margin 8%, scarf volume $2M and margin 5%, socks / bodywear / tights by $4M and margin 9%, and hats / hair accessories by $2M. Developed new lines, created and sourced new fabrications, instituted new merchandising techniques, and launched new categories to achieve results. Revitalized Hanes and Hanes Her Way lines for Aris Isotoner, producing 31% sales growth and 2% gross margin increase by streamlining basic colors and styles with additional fabrications. Grew Aris Isotoner business by $47M+ by launching new men's cold weather knit category; designing the industrys first womens casual outdoor slippers and Secret Soles; fashioning new year-round mens, womens, and children slippers; and creating new lines, redesigning prints, updating styling and colors, and sourcing higher quality fabric for companys scarf business. Traveled extensively to the Far East to enhance global sourcing: changed sample making process and decreased cost of goods 15%, sourced new factories, and negotiated raw material prices and delivery for Liz Claiborne; transitioned mens, womens, and children accessories to 45% Far East private label vs. 100% domestic for Macys; sourced 5 new factories and tanneries that delivered $10M in volume for client; secured lower-cost factories for the nations largest pet apparel company. Rejuvenated assortments; resized apparel lines; developed 7 new product categories (hair care, bicycles, school supplies, toys, home textiles / decor, and auto accessories); guided fashion direction of licensed footwear; and restructured classifications, styling, and pricing for Route 66 brand in Kmart stores. continued

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Cell: (201) 665-7197 E-mail: wensch@aol.com

EXECUTIVE BUSINESS & ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP P&L Management, Business Planning, Restructurings, Budgeting, Cost Control, Consulting, Process Improvements, Team Development Supplied recommendations on short- and long-term business planning, financial sourcing, marketing, factories, production supplies, merchandising, and more to fashion industry companies producing up to $1B in annual sales. Instrumental to the successful restructuring of a Fortune 500 costume jewelry manufacturer, conceiving strategy to strengthen brand position and partnering with President to reorganize merchandising, production, costs, pricing, quality control, and financial processes. Delivered immediate results with 4% gross margin growth, 12% raw materials cost savings, 20% production capacity increase, and 8% damaged goods return to vendor (RTV) reduction. Consulted on the restructuring of $100M privately held womens sportswear manufacturer undergoing Chapter 10 reorganization: worked with President and CEO to market / sell 4 brands, reduced production time on 6 brands, negotiated deliveries and a 10% raw materials cost reduction in Hong Kong and China, and orchestrated the closing of 3 brands. Revived Fashion Pet division and grew brand for Ethical Products, Inc.: implemented new budgets, systems, and standards; designed and produced new product; sourced new factories; and created new format and layout for full-line catalogue. Managed, mentored, and developed teams of up to 30 direct reports and as many as 60 indirect reports comprised of merchandising, production, designing, and international sales management, support, and factory staff.

EDUCATION
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNICAL INSTITUTE, Blacksburg, VA BS, Fashion Merchandising & Apparel Design

CAREER TRACK
ETHICAL PRODUCTS, INC., Bloomfield, NJ Division Head Fashion Pet (2008 to 2009) BONJOUR CORPORATION, LTD., New York, NY President Route 66 (2001 to 2002) WISSE SOLUTIONS, West New York, NJ Principal Consultant (1997 to 2001) ARIS ISOTONER (A division of Sara Lee), New York, NY Vice President of Merchandising & Design (1993 to 1997) LIZ CLAIBORNE, New York, NY Director of Merchandising & Production Planning, Fashion Accessories Accessories Division (1990 to 1993) CHAUS, New York, NY National Sales Manager Chaus Division (1988 to 1990) MACYS, Newark, NJ Accessories Buyer Mens, Womens & Children (1983 to 1988)

GLOBAL SOURCING / INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Hong Kong / China Japan India Taiwan Korea Philippines Turkey Sri Lanka Thailand Canada United Kingdom France