arlene paternostro

I am an experienced fashion buyer with a customer focused mentality. I currently live in the US and would like to relocate to Italy  

ARLENE PATERNOSTRO

Harrington Park, NJ | 

OVERVIEW

High energy, senior omni-retail executive with established ability and strength in identifying and strategically maximizing fashion trends, analyzing, and growing key businesses, and negotiating strong values. Cultivates and maintains productive and lasting vendor relationships through a professional, engaging demeanor and a focused, results-driven work style. Has a record of achievement in growing sales and profit margins. Manages all financial aspects of the business to exceed company goals. Successfully trains and develops staff, with many resulting in promotions. 

EXPERIENCE 

   South Moon Under – Divisional Merchandise Manager December 2022 – June 2024 

● Build product assortment that speaks to the DNA of the brand for brick-and-mortar and e-com

● Responsibilities included Dresses, Denim, Accessories, Footwear and Home 

       ● Created a new private brand. Set SKU count, category, and product assortments

● Trained and Developed buyers, associate buyers, and assistants to enhance their purchasing strategies and performance

● Re-forecasted plans to optimize high-performing categories and improve low-performing areas

       ● Implemented assortment planning and buying tools to ensure SKU counts and mins and maxs are met   

● Utilize data to validate buying decisions 

       ● Partnered with Marketing and Visual to ensure brand focus and in-store presentation standards are met     

● Collaborated closely with vendor leadership to negotiate higher initial markups, gross margins, and terms 

 South Moon Under – Senior Merchant -August 2021 – December 2022

● Omni channel boutique retailer 

● Responsible for Men’s, Home, Accessories, Jewelry, Footwear, Women’s bottoms and Dresses

       ● Managed all aspects of the business – Otb, markdowns, assortment planning, visual and marketing in conjunction 

           with team leaders

       ● Negotiated cost to increase markup and Gross Margin 

       ● Elevated vendor matrix 

● Grew Men’s business to 19 locations from 5 within one year. Curating assortment to represent customer demographics, exceeding sales plan, and growing gross margin 

● Identified and implemented an elevated door strategy in Jewelry, Accessories, and Men’s generating 15% of the sales.

● Maintain 20% of receipts open to chase and maximize best sellers and new brands in season 

● Developed and maintained vendor relationships 

● Trained and developed a team of two associate buyers and a merchandising assistant   

Stein Mart, Jacksonville, FL March 2016 – September 2020

● Omni channel retailer with 282 locations 

● Grew sales to 50M in sales, generated by Men’s Golf, Active Wear, Outerwear, and Outdoor Collection

       ● Developed and implemented seasonal strategies to grow and support the business 

● Manage the business; Planning, OTB, Sales, Marketing, Promotions, Assortments, Markdowns, and GM

● Increased Gross Margin by 2 percentage points 

● Negotiated exclusive products and costs to offer the best product and value to the customer 

Hilltop USA, Inc., New York, NY February 2014 – January 2016 Senior Project Manager 

● Licensee for all NBA and private label confections 

● Sourced, negotiated, and managed all new products to sample completion 

● Developed seasonal assortments and business plans 

● Worked with eCommerce managers to ensure all new product was presented on site 

● Managed relationships with co-packers, resulting in on time deliveries and customer satisfaction

Loehmann's, New York, NY August 2013 – December 2013 Senior Buyer, Men’s

Steele’s, A Division of Stage Stores, New York, NY November 2011 – April 2013 Merchandise Manager, Men’s and Children’s 

Syms and Filene’s Basement, Secaucus, NJ December 2010 – November 2011 Senior Buyer, Men’s 

Gabriel Brothers, Inc., New York, NY/ Morgantown, WV August 2009 – November 2010 Senior Buyer, Young Men’s & Activewear 

Macy's Merchandising Group, New York, NY December 2006 – February 2009 Merchandise Manager, Men’s Sportswear 

Ross Dress for Less, New York, NY 1999-2006 buyer Men’s, sport shirts, sweaters, collections    

                                                         EDUCATION -John Jay College of Criminal Justice 

BA in psychology

John  Jay College of Criminal Justice NY