Lucy Sumner

Experience

• 

  Debenhams

  Jul 2014 - Jul 2015

  Trainee Assistant Buyer

  Business Placement as a Trainee Assistant Buyer for Bathshop/Warmshop in Homeware at Debenhams- Managing the critical path on a daily basis- Contacting suppliers to ensure delivery dates and qualities are met by standards- Taking care of samples and organising these within product rooms and meetings- Regular meetings with suppliers and quality assurance teams to ensure high levels of quality are being received- Holding fit sessions- Attending and preparing product review and sign off meetings- Regular competitive shops undertaken- Assisting the buying team and design teams within product development- Attending and setting up press shows for each season, alongside preparing samples for the catalogue shoots- Comprehensive training to aid development in the role Show less

• 

  Debenhams

  Sept 2016 - Apr 2018

  Senior Trainee Assistant Buyer

  Senior Trainee Assistant Buyer - Decorative Accessories- Managing the critical path on a daily basis to ensure critical dates are met and achieved whilst also ensuring products are fit for purpose.- Working closely with all suppliers to achieve strong relationships and ensure samples are received within relevant timescales.- Working closely with new brands in order to deliver a strong customer offer.- Range building with the AB/Buyer by reviewing new samples and continuity to ensure strong commercial ranges are taken forward.- Presenting in key meetings, e.g. sign off and strategy meetings.- Developing my own ranges by working with design, negotiating costs and briefing packaging.- Negotiating costs in order to meet target margins whilst remaining commercial and competitive.- Taking responsibility for sample management of my department and ensuring these are organized for meetings/room set ups.- Regular meetings with suppliers and quality assurance teams to ensure high levels of quality are being received.- Holding sealing sessions with relevant technologists to address any quality issues that may arise and to review testing requirements.- Amending purchase orders on the system and setting up new lines throughout a season.- Regular competitive shopping to review the current market and trends so that new product ranges are relevant.- Attending and setting up press shows for each season, alongside preparing samples for the catalogue shoots.- Presenting in TAB projects when these occur.- Divisional responsibility involving working closely with the Press team to ensure all press requests are met where possible, attending regular meetings and assisting in various press activity.- Comprehensive training to aid development in the role. Show less

• 

  Paperchase Products Ltd

  Apr 2018 - Dec 2019

  Assistant Buyer - L2

  - Managing and developing my own ranges each season combining both own-brand and branded product, including design briefs and sales analysis.- Creating strategies for each season to ensure the department is driving the business forward.- Effective management of the critical path to monitor all aspects of the buying lifecycle and key business needs.- Working closely with all suppliers on a daily basis to achieve strong relationships.- Negotiating costs in order to grow profits and meet target margins whilst remaining commercial and competitive.- Driving the wholesale business within my team and the company to ensure sales growth for the business.- Presenting to new business partners to offer new product and strategies.- Strong relationships with Marketing/E-Commerce team to seek ways to promote product and ensure all channels are cohesive.- Regular competitive shopping to review the current market and trends in order to remain relevant in the industry.- Buying trips to the Far East to seek new product development and meet with new/existing suppliers.- Management of the Buying Admin Assistant to develop and nurture progression. Show less

• 

  Radley Yeldar

  Dec 2019 - Nov 2021

  Junior Business Development Consultant

  - Creating outreach strategies for the brand engagement team to attract new business to the agency.- Regular outreach to prospective clients to build the agency’s client base.- Market analysis to understand the broad scope of the corporate industry and our competitors ensuring that we are the leaders in the brand space.- Guiding pitch teams through the pitching to win process to increase our ability to win new clients.- Meticulously project managing the pitch process to deliver the work on time and on budget whilst ensuring all teams are on track.- Regular communication with the client in initial stages of onboarding to help build strong relationships.- Championed the LinkedIn Sales Navigator platform on the team and pitched to the Board of Directors to bring this in to boost our sales.- Regular use of the agency’s CRM system to ensure all sales information is updated consistently. Show less

• 

  FLOWERBX

  Nov 2021 - Jul 2023

  Corporate Accounts Manager

  - Maintaining solid relationships with clients to ensure retention and spend on flowers is continuous year on year.- Proactively exploring new streams of revenue with clients across floral product, events, and gifting.- Reviewing and developing the B2B strategy per quarter to meet targets and stay reactive to the market.- Site visits to understand the clients needs and work with them creatively to bring their floral projects to life.- Project management of large-scale gifting initiatives for clients.- Working alongside the operations team to determine and understand logistics and ensuring the clients projects are always fulfilled to the highest standard.- Maintenance of the P&L for the B2B team, working closely with team members to maximise profits.- Ensuring sales decks are up to date based on seasonality of flowers and exploring ways to best sell to clients by actively pushing new products.- Networking to seek and engage new clients and encouraging trials with our services.- Management of the Corporate Account Executive. Show less