Shalese Mcneil-Dargie

About

With a robust background in fashion merchandising and business administration, I am the Founder & CEO of Sincerely Solid Studio, a sales and communications agency specializing in brand development, sales strategy, and merchandise planning. My career began with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Fashion Merchandising from LIM College, following initial studies at Mount Ida College. I have held pivotal roles in the fashion industry, including Senior Account Manager at GOAT Group, where I optimized luxury apparel seller relationships and identified growth opportunities. My experience extends to sales planning at CULT GAIA and buying at Diane von Furstenberg, where I honed skills in demand forecasting, product assortment, and strategic planning. My expertise lies in creating cohesive merchandise plans and sales strategies that align with brand vision and market demands, driving profitability and growth.

Experience

• Founder & CEO · Sincerely Solid Studio08-01-2023

  A sales & communications agency dedicated to building the foundational components of a brand with strategic vision with a focus & specialization in Brand Development, Sales Strategy & Merchandise Planning. Provide merchandising insights to the core Categories, Styles & Colors of a brand to drive strategic development within the production process. Identify pricing parameters to satisfy a competitive MU% and MSRP. Create and streamline a brand's sales strategy to identify current and future opportunities and potential risks, supporting seasonal sale and markdown suggestions including in-person/online sale initiatives from ideation to completion. Create a cohesive merchandise plan to build the foundational aspects of a brand from a sales perspective with a strategic vision that aligns with the overall collection/product.

• Senior Account Manager - Luxury Apparel · GOAT Group03-01-2023

  As a Senior Account Manager - Luxury Apparel, responsible for maintaining and optimizing key seller relationships, planning strategically with accounts to maximize their potential, tracking account performance, identifying growth opportunities, and providing detailed analysis and recommendations to guide decision making.

• Account Manager - Luxury Apparel · GOAT Group02-01-2020 – 03-01-2023

  Maintained and optimized key seller relationships through all facets of the account management process. Planned strategically with accounts to maximize their potential. Tracked account performance, identifying growth opportunities. Provided accounts with detailed analysis and recommendations, helping guide decision making. Drove business by prospecting existing connections and proactively sourcing new accounts. Worked effectively with internal teams to ensure product was listed for sale in a timely manner. Conducted analysis on sales, inventory, and purchasing behavior to identify trends and maximize profitability. Provided dedicated customer support for key accounts and efficiently resolved any account issues or questions, partnering with the Operations team.

• Sales Planning Analyst · CULT GAIA12-01-2018 – 02-01-2020

  Supported Head of Planning in demand planning and forecasting by creating and managing top-down and bottom-up finished goods and sales plans while ensuring the ongoing accuracy and consistency of all plans, revisions, and projections developed. Analyzed historical sales data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities in plan for wholesale; collaborated with sales and design to ensure plans and forecasts aligned with future financial and product opportunities. Recapped, analyzed, and reported relevant sales results, such as monthly wholesale shipments, sales by SKU, mix of business, best sellers, and new product performance. Supported wholesale budgeting and forecasting process by liaising with Sales Director and Head of Planning to update and track performance to plan. Evaluated and created processes and tools in support of continuous improvement efforts to support the planning process.

• Assistant Buyer · DVF (Diane von Furstenberg)12-01-2017 – 12-01-2018

  Assisted in managing the business in all RTW, accessories, and footwear divisions across 11 full price retail locations, 6 outlet locations, and 2 global sites (US and EU) of dvf.com. Analyzed weekly selling reports and recapped data, trends, and qualitative information to identify and recommend incremental sales opportunities, product re-orders, Omni store-to-store consolidations, and outlet transfers at retail stores and dvf.com. Responsible for selecting optimal product assortment for the outlet business by factoring in budgets, sales plans, historical data, current sales trends, store manager feedback, and collection message. Established strong relationships with stores and ecommerce teams, reacted to business needs and requests with urgency, via weekly west and east coast store conference calls and facilitating VIP client merchandise requests. Provided managerial market support including compiling qualitative buy prep information and responsible for the creation of buy sheets and distribution of line sheets to all stores and ecommerce per season. Completed efficient order sizing and executed placement and maintenance of purchase orders. Managed logistical aspects of product management such as trade agreements, delivery and shipping for all categories, and system pricing and the retail markdown entry process based on sales trends, promotional calendar, and competitor pricing strategies. Requested and managed licensed vendor sample sets for ecommerce and visual merchandising photo shoots. Responsible for handling the new hire process, management, and evaluation of performance for seasonal interns. Knowledgeable in Blue Cherry, AX, Joor, and Sales Force systems.

Education

• LIM CollegeBachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Fashion Merchandising
• Mount Ida CollegeBachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Fashion Merchandising
• Brockton High SchoolHigh School

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