SHANNON WILSON
Arlington
Summary
Results-driven Director in retail operations and merchandising, experienced in multi-unit business planning and product development. Led initiatives that drove sales growth and enhanced profitability. Expertise in market trend analysis and effective merchandising strategies. Skilled in vendor negotiations and building strong partnerships with stakeholders.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Development Consultant
Small Museum Affiliates
Washington
03.2021 - Current
- Product development ranging from small specialty retailers to big box channels.
- Collaboration with clients to develop mission related merchandise.
- Providing support in assortment planning, product design and sourcing.
- Led brainstorming sessions to generate creative ideas for new exhibitions and events.
Director of Retail-Merchandise and Operations
Washington Nationals Baseball Club
Washington
03.2016 - 01.2020
- Directed retail merchandise and operations, including strategic planning and team supervision.
- Directed P&L management for retail operations, ensuring alignment with company financial goals.
- Developed and implemented merchandise strategies that enhanced and elevated product mix while supporting business growth and profitability.
- Utilized data-driven forecasting tools to predict consumer demand, inform pricing decisions, and maximize product profitability.
- Led the department to operational excellence through strategic labor management, technology integration, and KPI analysis.
General Manager of Merchandise
Smithsonian Enterprises
Washington
02.2010 - 03.2015
- Directed $40M in retail merchandise revenue in the world’s largest museum complex, driving profitability while ensuring world class service to visitors.
- Led Smithsonian Catalog and E-commerce integration to align with museum's overall mission. Oversaw merchandise development and implemented financial plans to support business growth.
- Directed development of strategic pricing models and sales forecasting processes to optimize revenue in line with seasonal and museum exhibit demands.
- Increased profit margins by negotiating favorable terms with vendors and optimizing product offerings.
- Expanded retail operations into new markets, including high-traffic airport and train locations, generating additional revenue streams.
Merchandise Manager
Smithsonian Enterprises
Washington, DC
01.2005 - 02.2010
- Spearheaded merchandise planning initiatives that resulted in year-over-year revenue growth.
- Negotiated supplier contracts to optimize cost and quality of goods, supporting achievement of gross margin targets.
- Developed accurate forecasts for product demand and inventory levels, ensuring alignment with sales trends.
- Oversaw product development initiative to align museum merchandise with customer preferences and enhance institutional branding.
Buyer
Smithsonian Enterprises
Washington
03.2001 - 01.2005
- Developed merchandise for museum shops that increased retail sales and aligned with museum mission.
- Cultivated strong relationships with suppliers to ensure quality standards were met.
- Conducted product evaluations to ensure quality meets Smithsonian standards.
- Created reports analyzing supplier performance metrics, focusing on quality, delivery times, and cost-saving initiatives.
East Coast Category Manager
Nordstrom
Vienna
03.1998 - 07.2000
- Developed and executed merchandise plans, aligning inventory with customer demand and sales goals.
- Managed purchasing activities and supervised staff to maintain accurate documentation of inventory and department records.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement merchandising strategies, enhancing operational efficiency.
Operations Training Manager
Fuddruckers Restaurant
Washington Metro Area
01.1989 - 01.1991
- Facilitated onboarding sessions for new employees, fostering smooth integration into teams and promoting early engagement.
- Coordinated ongoing training workshops, advancing skill development and knowledge retention among team members.
- Evaluated training effectiveness through feedback and assessments from restaurant staff.
- Developed training programs for restaurant staff, enhancing operational procedures and customer service delivery.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, NC05-1989
Skills
- Merchandise planning
- P&L management
- KPI management
- Market analysis
- Brand Execution and consistency
- Operational Excellence
- Strategic and Analytical Skills
- Team Development
Timeline
Product Development Consultant
Small Museum Affiliates
03.2021 - Current
Director of Retail-Merchandise and Operations
Washington Nationals Baseball Club
03.2016 - 01.2020
General Manager of Merchandise
Smithsonian Enterprises
02.2010 - 03.2015
Merchandise Manager
Smithsonian Enterprises
01.2005 - 02.2010
Buyer
Smithsonian Enterprises
03.2001 - 01.2005
East Coast Category Manager
Nordstrom
03.1998 - 07.2000
Operations Training Manager
Fuddruckers Restaurant
01.1989 - 01.1991
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of North Carolina at Wilmington