TAMARA L. KEENER
 [Send email to request phone number] 95-3409

http://www.linkedin.com/in/tammykeener

Energetic strategic retail leader with 20+ years of expertise in a unique blend
of product development, brand management, leadership and financial planning.
Creative team player with demonstrated strengths in buying, negotiating,
assortment planning and identifying key trends to deliver powerful seasonal
assortments. Outstanding communicator and proven track record in negotiating with
all levels of an organization with demonstrated strategic planning expertise.

Buying/Product Development Vendor Negotiations Communication
Brand Management Assortment Planning Strategic Planning
Financial Planning and Analysis Team Building & Leadership Visual Merchandising

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WALT DISNEY WORLD COMPANY-Orlando, FL 1997-2009

Location/Brand Planner (Merchant), Walt Disney World Resorts 2002-2009
Developed and executed seasonal product assortments and brand strategies
insuring alignment to seasonal financial category plans.

 * Selected product assortments from seasonal product lines of business that
offered a balanced and consistent consumer experience for 24 shops that generate
$95M.
 * Partnered with cross functional teams to develop and implement new and
rehabbed store designs, floorplans and grand openings. Ensure product assortments
and correct inventory levels were in place to support brand.
 * Played an integral role in the creation of merchandise and company
initiatives resulting in significant improved sales and margins that enhanced
revenue by 15% or 12M over historical revenue.
 * Led and managed weekly meetings with product development and operational
partners to review business results and capitalize on any opportunities.
 * Maintained knowledge of market conditions regarding price, resources and
fashion as they related to overall trends and how they impact immediate sales.
 * Directed and communicated with visual merchandise team and store operations
on new deliveries, product information and placement to ensure that strategies
were executed as planned.
 * Selected as a member of the JANUS creative group that generated over 1200
unique and innovative merchandise product development ideas to guarantee the
organization exceed its created mission and business objectives.
 * Received Partner of the Year award in 2005 and nominated for Partners in
Excellence achievement award-Disney's highest honor.
 * Coached and mentored 3 specialists in an environment of continual learning
and development.

Associate Product Developer/Buyer, Kids Fashion Apparel/Costumes 2000-2002
Travelled internationally and domestically for manufacturer sourcing and private
label development of all aspects of a $21M business from assortment planning to
delivery of product.

 * Increased girls fashion top business $1M over prior year by introducing trend
right core key items. Redesigned Character costumes to match actual in Park walk
around characters and increased category by 22%.
 * Partnered with planning team to select key items and develop seasonal
departmental, class and sub-class plans that utilized historical performance,
current business climate and data.

Associate Product Developer/Buyer, Kids Fashion Apparel/Costumes (con't)

 * Drove development flow through timely approval of art execution, lab dips and
fabric approvals in addition to partnering with technical design to approve
garment fit and to ensure product execution met the design aesthetic and quality
standards of over 1200 skus annually.
 * Directed interaction with creative art team in conceptualizing character and
art stories making sure that brand integrity, copyright regulations, production
methods and product needs were met.
 * Managed a large domestic and international vendor structure to ensure the
development of brand and quality product through competitive cost, timely
negotiations and sourcing of fabrics and trims.
 * Communicated business trends and selling of key items at weekly executive
selling meetings.
 * Conducted store visits to evaluate assortments, productivity, merchandise
presentation and inventory levels to maximize business results.
 * Amplified awareness of current trends in marketplace through competitive
shopping, trend reports and conceptual trend presentations.

Associate Product Developer/Buyer, Adult & Kids Accessories 1999-2000
Managed all aspects of development for a $37M business.

 * Managed specific product categories through all aspects of product
development process: conception, packaging development, cost, margin adherence,
production, delivery, and sales analysis.
 * Built sunglass business from $8M to $12M business by changing product mix,
successfully rolling out in shop vendor servicing and introducing new Branded
eyewear resources.
 * Executed merchandise line reviews giving direction, focus and pertinent
information to executive leadership after working in tandem with planning
partners to developing seasonal plans.
 * Developed quick turn around product with domestic vendors in order to
capitalize on in season successes and to fulfill inventory needs.
 * Globally sourced styles with various factories to achieve the most viable
cost and margin while upholding product integrity of 500 skus.
 * Received Team of the Year award for the highest positive increases, 35% over
prior year.

Merchandise Planner 1997-1999
Developed financial plans for a $27M category based on history,
presentation/capacity and attendance projections.

 * Directly accountable for sales, gross margin, turn, COG's and markdown
targets. Placed all reorders and provided product developers with new sku
inventory projections.
 * Managed bottoms-up financial plans for core items while managing top-down
plans at subclass level.
 * Analyzed business performance and recommended financial strategy adjustments
through initial plan development, sales, inventory and monthly re-forecasting.

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.-Warrendale, PA 1996-1997

Merchandise Planner
Accountable for financial planning of three departments generating $158M for 306
stores.

 * Grew the ladies division 30% or $48M by recommending a new growth oriented
approach to the existing product strategy in the ladies knit category.
 * Projected and re-analyzed sales adapting to sales trends and business
opportunities.
 * International travel for sourcing, buying and cost negotiations of new
product.

EXPRESS-Division of The Limited, Inc. Columbus OH 1989-1996

Regional Distributor 1992-1996
Facilitated prompt flow of merchandise based on stock to sales ratios, turn,
WOS, and trend.

Assistant Buyer, Woven's 1990-1992
Developed product and planned seasonal assortments for $160M woven shirt
department.

 * Partnered with domestic vendors to find new test and roll items for the
department.
 * Responsible for all lab dip approvals and fabric approvals.
 * Collaborated with partners to develop and implement a Quality Assurance
program for the company.
 * Communicated with overseas partners to negotiate pricing and production
capacity to ensure on time deliveries for seasonal floorsets.
 * Participated in and gathered information for weekly executive top/bottom
review meetings
 * Minimized delivery slides and cancellations within the department through
communications with vendors highlighting any issues around delivery dates, order
commitments, size breaks and possible quality issues.

Sales Manager 1989-1990
Managed a $2 million business; coached and trained 50 employees; exceeded sales
goals.

LERNER---Division of the Limited, Inc. New York, NY and San Francisco, CA
1986-1989

Assistant Buyer, Sweaters 1988-1989
Assisted in all aspects of buying, assorting, analyzing and negotiating for a
$77M business.

Sales Manager 1986-1988
Managed 30 union employees; consistently exceeded sales goals for a $1M
business.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts
Major: Fashion Merchandising
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Disney University
Professional courses in Creative & Strategic Thinking, Negotiating, Leadership,
Management, Coaching and Mentoring and Communication