PAMELA JANE SIMPSON2939 Parkwood Drive empress112@sbcglobal.net H: (920) 592-8561Green Bay, WI 54313 C: (832) 651-8916

V I S U A L D I R E C T O RCreative Merchandise Presentation ● Visual Project Management ● Visual Operations Management

Primary strengths are goal setting, clear communications and focused execution. More than 15 years of team building and team leadership accomplishments. Routinely perform cost reductions in visual expenses. Boost sales through creating and implementing fresh visual merchandise presentations—e.g. increased merchandising and presentation guidelines for five corporate initiatives, amplifying sales from $56M to $66M, up 18%. Highly reliable and a self-starter. Open minded but keenly attentive to identifying and working situational priorities. Quick but thorough in planning and executing. Experienced trainer. Extensive national and international travel.

CORE COMPETENCIESCorporate visual management -- Cross functional team leader/collaborator -- Strategic and creative leadership to build brand image -- Provide guidance, training, consultation to field to elevate execution of visual standards -- Visual standards-manual production -- Succession planning -- Enhanced customer in-store experience

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SHOPKO STORES (135 doors) Vice President Visual Merchandise Presentation 2007-2008Established formally the company’s visual standards to be consistent with branding strategies. Organized multi-functional teams and led coordination with Space Planning to improve effectiveness of merchandise presentation and space allocation--included revising block plan and POG formats to incorporate visual elements, fixture placement, classification merchandising, bold font and newness. Results were clearer communication to stores’ enlightened staffs and stronger, consistent store executions.Led team to modify and refine pricing architecture formats to reflect consistency; this was completed in four months. A new all-store AccessVia system for corporate Rewards program was completed in ten months. Enhanced the shopping experience and drove increased sales and profitability. Awarded Shopko Star Teammate 2nd Quarter 2007. Designed vendor visual programs, vigorously pursued and generated over $400K co-op participation in 10 months. Reallocated $900K expense and $1.2M capital budgets to better support current, higher priority major initiatives,

seasonal and proprietary branding. Created and led team in design/execution and rollout of new Housewares Cookware shops resulting in one of three U.S. companies to receive Homeworld publication’s Global Innovation Award 2007. Junior BTS prototype generated a 91.4% increase to PL, sales comp % to change equaled 19.47 vs. company 4.63. Partnered in design concept and set industry standard for multi-Futon display fixture/signage

(6 Futons in 1 sq. yard) resulting in BTS sales up 90% to LY and was Homeworld publication winner for Innovation and Product Design 2007.

FOLEY’S DEPARTMENT STORE (Division of May Department Stores, (72 doors)Divisional Vice President, Director of Stores Visual Merchandising 1999-2006

Collaborated with the Senior Vice President, the Director of Stores, regional vice presidents, corporate executives, and merchants to define promotional and presentation vision and execution strategies. Planned, budgeted, and obtained funding to schedule and spearhead key projects, company blitzes and programs, corporate and regional prototypes, and minor and major remodel visual elements. Designed, sourced, and rolled out cost effective visual elements and strategies to achieve maximum ROI. Allocated capital and expense costs of a $6.7M annual budget to achieve the number one ranking among all May

divisions in visual expense management. Decreased mannequin purchases $31.5K and reduced foam core purchases by 56%, saving $17.8K. Increased merchandising and presentation guidelines for five corporate initiatives, amplifying sales from $56M to $66M,

up 18%. Directed a team of 125 visual staff employees in five states for the 72-door full-line department store

chain, generating $1.2B annually.

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PAMELA JANE SIMPSON FOLEY’S DEPARTMENT STORE continues

Designed, planned, purchased and coordinated the installation of visual elements for 21 newfull-line stores and 31 major remodels of 140,000 to 280,000 square-foot stores, meeting or frequently under-running $600K to $1.5M budgets.

Managed five regional teams focused on major events’ execution and overall stores presentation, amplifying stores volume 11% above objectives; division ranked number one in sales in May Department Stores.

Spearheaded and executed visual merchandising and merchandise flows/adjacencies for company and successful transitions of acquired stores to Foley’s nameplate.

Set the standard for execution of merchandise initiatives and proprietary brands at Foley’s Department Stores, developed monthly “Best Practices” and received corporate recognition by the Vice Chairman Executive VP Director of Stores.

Developed criteria with HR for ongoing progress reviews for 23 visual assistants, promoting an average of 5 individuals annually. Planned bench-strength staffing needs by market, filling all openings within three weeks.

Trained and coached regional visual and merchandising personnel, area sales managers, divisional sales managers, and store managers on merchandise and visual presentations that established standards for other regions.

In 2000 and 2001 received Quarterly Sales Support Achievement Awards. In 2004 was awarded President and Sr. Vice President Stores Recognition.

Regional Visual Merchandising Director (17 doors) 1993-1999

Supported the regional vice president and coordinated visual staff (40) and store-level personnel on the consistent creative implementation of corporate direction, developed and formalized company-wide presentation standards.

Teamed with the Vice Chairman Director of Stores, the Vice President of Visual Merchandising, the Regional Vice President, store managers, and corporate contacts to successfully drive the execution of merchandise adjacencies, major merchandise intensifications, and unique visual merchandising execution.

Regional Sales Support Awards in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1998.

Additional experience: Progression of merchandising and visual assignments with May Department Stores.

CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Arts, California State University at Los AngelesWomen in Leadership course graduateProLiteracy America Volunteer Tutor Certification

Affiliations:Officer of the Fashion GroupDress for Success VolunteerVisual Merchandising Across the Globe Women For HireRetail Industry Professionals GroupRetail Industry Professionals WorldwideInternational Fashion & Apparel AssociationCSULA Alumni Association

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