Jennifer Munich

Dynamic, energetic, and engaging product development and merchandising executive who excels at taking action and delivering results. Extensive home products experience on both the vendor & retail side, bringing expertise, enthusiasm, & passion in managing the product development lifecycle to grow top line sales. Results oriented leader with entrepreneurial attitude.

Direct contributor to growth, profitability, and brand desirability with full P&L ownership. Skill sets include excellent communication, strategic planning, and critical thinking. Solid experience in home textiles product development, sourcing, cost negotiation, and market analysis.

Product Strategy and Merchandising Manager, consulting firm at 4 Sisters Collective LLC (2021-11 – Present)

• Projects range from design consultation, trend direction, merchandising, and competitive shopping analysis.
• Brand ambassador for Jura, a Swiss automatic coffee machine company. Training and demo of machines at Williams Sonoma, Crate &Barrel, Sur La Table and Bloomingdale’s.
• Independent home furnishings representative of various manufacturers (Annie Selke, Dash & Albert, Lili Alessandra, TL at Home, Moss Home, Azzurro Living, Grand Image Home, General Public, Lights and Lamps) targeting interior designers and small independent stores throughout NYC, Westchester, Long Island and Connecticut. Product categories include fashion bedding, sheets, utility bedding, upholstered furniture, decorative accessories, art, outdoor furniture, case goods, throw pillows, rugs, and lighting.

Account Manager (pet furniture covers, Rose Tree fashion bedding and accessories, Laundry by Shelli Segal fashion bedding and sheets, window treatments, upscale decorator quality throw pillows) at P Kaufmann Home (2017-02 – 2021-11)

• Built, managed, and executed merchandise and sales plans. Total business $10M. Key accounts include BBB.com, Hayneedle.com, Kohls.com, Macys.com, Overstock.com, Walmart.com, Wayfair.com, Zulily.com, HomeGoods. In store program at Walmart and Dillards.
• Developed private label goods for Improvements, Fresh Finds, Haband, Figi’s, Country Door, Mason, Touch of Class, Blair, Bluestem and Sportsman’s Guide. Worked side by side with design team to create Adobe Illustrator tech design packs ensure costing targets and design standards were met.
• Managed accounts from account creation, negotiated vendor agreements, uploaded new skus to dot com accounts and maintained all vendor portals while reviewing inventory needs.
• Delivered double digit sales increase and improved net margin across accounts.
• Supervise, train, and mentor Sales Assistant.

National Account Manager (Sure Fit slipcovers and utility bedding, Hookless bath curtains, Patio Armor outdoor covers) at Sure Fit (2015-06 – 2017-01)

• Built, managed, and executed merchandise and sales plans for each of key ecommerce accounts such as Amazon.com, Target.com, Kohls.com, Macys.com, Walmart.com, Wayfair.com, Overstock.com, Hayneedle.com and catalog accounts such as Fingerhut, Hammacher Schlemmer and Brookstone. In store programs at Target, Walmart, Kohl’s and Home Depot. Total business $60M.
• Analyzed sales and market data and achieved best-in-class results.
• Developed private label products for key accounts. Worked side by side with design team to ensure costing targets were met and products executed properly to specifications made in Adobe Illustrator.
• Managed and trained outside sales representatives.

Senior Product Manager, Costumes and Accessories at Amscan Holdings Inc (Party City) (2011-10 – 2015-05)

• Developed and managed product line for private label brand CostumesUSA and Amscan products sold at Party City retailers.
• Sourced product and negotiated costs with overseas factories to achieve the best margin.
• Developed new and innovative product formats and created technical packs.
• Managed product development of licensed accessories and costumes for properties such as Sanrio Hello Kitty, Disney Princesses, Mattel Barbie, Mattel Monster High, and American Greetings Strawberry Shortcake brands.
• Provided direction in styling costumes and accessories for photography for packaging, look book shots, and marketing collateral, fitting development samples and pre-production samples on fit models.
• Supervised, trained, and mentored Product Manager.

Product Developer-Ralph Lauren Chaps Home & Candie’s Home (comforters, sheets, blankets, towels, utility bedding) at Kohl’s (2010-04 – 2011-10)

• Managed the development of the home textiles product line from technical pack product inception to product approval.
• Sourced product and negotiated costs with overseas factories to achieve the best margin.
• Possessed a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and customer to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Developed superb time management skills by adhering to the development timeline with the time and action calendar and hitting in store dates.

Assistant Buyer-Framed Art, Wall Décor, Calendars at Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Design Assistant-bath towels, beach towels. Product sold at Macy’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Dollar General, Family Dollar. at Baltic Linen

Product Development Coordinator in the Ralph Lauren Home division (fashion bedding and accessories, sheets, blankets, bath towels, beach towels, and utility bedding) at WestPoint Home

Total business: $20M. Product sold at Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Dillard’s.

Design assistant for seasonal decorations manufacturer and importer for the Martha Stewart brand (holiday decorations, ribbons, bows, table linens). Product sold at Kmart. at Variety Accessories

B.S. in Home Products Development and Marketing Major – Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

A.A.S in Fashion Buying and Merchandising – Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York