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I am an intuitive trader and business leader with a track record of guiding global multi-channel teams to maximise gross profit in fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. I have successfully managed large portfolios across global retailers and led cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable growth while optimizing inventory and margins. My experience spans licensing partnerships, product development, and international sourcing, with a proven ability to build strong supplier relationships, forecast accurately, and lead high-performing buyers and planners. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy shaping strategy, mentoring teams, and driving results that matter.…I am an intuitive trader and business leader with a track record of guiding global multi-channel teams to maximise gross profit in fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. I have successfully managed large portfolios across global retailers and led cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable growth while optimizing inventory and margins. My experience spans licensing partnerships, product development, and international sourcing, with a proven ability to build strong supplier relationships, forecast accurately, and lead high-performing buyers and planners. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy shaping strategy, mentoring teams, and driving results that matter.

Stu Smith

Merchandiser, Designer, Brand Designer, +5

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I am an intuitive trader and business leader with a track record of guiding global multi-channel teams to maximise gross profit in fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. I have successfully managed large portfolios across global retailers and led cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable growth while optimizing inventory and margins. My experience spans licensing partnerships, product development, and international sourcing, with a proven ability to build strong supplier relationships, forecast accurately, and lead high-performing buyers and planners. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy shaping strategy, mentoring teams, and driving results that matter.…I am an intuitive trader and business leader with a track record of guiding global multi-channel teams to maximise gross profit in fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. I have successfully managed large portfolios across global retailers and led cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable growth while optimizing inventory and margins. My experience spans licensing partnerships, product development, and international sourcing, with a proven ability to build strong supplier relationships, forecast accurately, and lead high-performing buyers and planners. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy shaping strategy, mentoring teams, and driving results that matter.

Available to hire

I am an intuitive trader and business leader with a track record of guiding global multi-channel teams to maximise gross profit in fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. I have successfully managed large portfolios across global retailers and led cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable growth while optimizing inventory and margins.

My experience spans licensing partnerships, product development, and international sourcing, with a proven ability to build strong supplier relationships, forecast accurately, and lead high-performing buyers and planners. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy shaping strategy, mentoring teams, and driving results that matter.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Buyer – Brands, Licensed product, and Youth at Target Australia

July 1, 2022 - Present

Responsible for women’s and men’s brands, licensed product, and Target branded youth across a large store network and online. Achieved stock turn and availability targets by reviewing sales and stock against forecast weekly to amend future orders. Developed, implemented, and presented seasonal divisional strategy to the executive team to sustainably grow the business while reducing inventory, maximising growth areas, and protecting core. Planned range assortment for key seasonal selling periods, campaigns, and new store openings. Monitored inventory to minimise markdowns and maximise sell-through. Led and developed a team of buyers and buying assistants. Managed supplier relationships with external brands and licensing partners across product development/selection, OTB management, marketing plans, and cost/margin management.

Merchandise Manager – Menswear at Brooks Brothers

August 1, 2019 - July 1, 2022

Responsible for the men’s sportswear business across mainline and outlet stores and online, growing the category from 24% to 45% of company sales. Reported directly to the Vice President-Product, ranged and quantified quarterly buy within budgeted OTB, ensuring the product mix was right for the customer and intake margin budgets were met. Recommended product and depth for in-season and end-of-season markdowns on slow/aged stock, achieving markdown spend, inventory turn, and gross margin targets. Developed allocators and junior planners to ensure stock efficiency through allocations, replenishment systems, consolidations, store grading/pro filing, and sizing analysis.

Buying Manager – Milligram and Telegram Co at Dymocks Holdings Pty. Ltd.

November 1, 2017 - August 1, 2019

Responsible for selecting, pricing, and trading all products across Milligram and Telegram Co businesses (8,000+ SKUs). Selected ranges within budgeted OTB, ensuring the product mix was right for the local market and gross profit targets were met, achieving FY19 revenue budget of AUD$25 million with YoY growth of +23%. Represented the business on regular trips to Asia and Europe, strengthening relationships with partner brands and negotiating complex distribution contracts. Successfully sourced and launched new brands to the Australian and New Zealand markets, leading the process from scouting to negotiating contracts and selecting an optimal range for the market. Achieved availability targets on key volume SKUs/brands, reviewing sales and stock against forecast weekly to amend future orders as necessary. Presented postseason analysis, category/range/option plan to board members and the wider team. Led a team of Buyers, Planners, and Visual Merchandisers to improve stock efficiency thr

Global Category Planner – T2 Tea - Homeware at Unilever

October 1, 2016 - November 1, 2017

Responsible for 3 global categories (making up 45% of the T2 business) across standalone, online, concession, and wholesale channels. Successfully launched into new markets (US, Singapore, and China) while achieving growth in existing markets. Achieved gross profit and stock turn targets, guiding Allocation Analysts to ensure stock efficiency through allocations, replenishment, consolidations, store grading/pro filing, and sizing analysis. Developed the planning skills of Allocation Analysts, overseeing store stock and replenishment.

Merchandise Planner – Homeware and Accessories at Country Road Group

July 1, 2014 - October 1, 2016

Planning, budget, promotions; managed markdowns, intake margin, spend, stock, and gross profit targets through effective buying, setting applicable prices, and trading to drive sales through promotional activity. Conducted monthly forecast reviews across 3 markets and presented variances/trading patterns to MD/CEO and the wider team. Sourced samples on international buying trips and collaborated with Designers and Technicians to ensure products were commercial. Planned, bought, and traded the division to meet budget. Led the team of Junior Planners, Planning Analysts, and Production Coordinators.

Planning Analyst – Trenery - Menswear at Country Road Group

November 1, 2012 - July 1, 2014

Implemented and achieved proﬁt targets, managing markdowns, promotions, intake margin, spend, stock, and gross profit targets through buying and trading. Conducted monthly forecast reviews across markets, guided by MD/CEO. Led samples sourcing with Designers and Technicians to ensure commercial viability. Planned, bought, and traded 11 divisions across CRG to meet budget. Led a team of Junior Planners, Planning Analysts, and Production Coordinators. Completed Emerging Manager training.

Operations Manager at IconPrinting.com

June 1, 2011 - August 1, 2012

Oversaw operational functions in the London-based business, coordinating production, supplier relationships, and fulfillment activities to ensure timely delivery and quality.