SARAH SPOTO

sarah.spoto@simon.rochester.edu| linkedin.com/in/sarahspoto| sarahspoto.com

PROFILE

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MBA candidate pursuing brand

management opportunities within
the automotive industry.
Experienced in merchandising and
marketing.

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS Pittsburgh, PA

Assistant Buyer, aerie.com Apparel

Extensive online branding focus:

2013-2015
Drove and managed the aerie.com apparel business, including 7 categories (1700+ styles
or $16.5M+), by supporting buying and planning of assortment, identifying product
needs, managing website, managing shipping/tracking of products, and collaborating
with marketing and design on emails, social media, and customer satisfaction.

GibbsonGirl.com

Developed detailed weekly sales analysis recap that informed in-season

promotional decisions, current and future marketing strategies, and sales
projections.

Developed a streamlined method for managing daily shipping and tracking issues to
communicate delays and decrease transportation costs, which saved the company
over $500,000 during the West Coast port strikes in early 2015.

Improved efficiently of website maintenance by establishing relationships with

developers and testing and analyzing to decrease workload by 50%. Trained fellow
assistants in new, improved processes to increase efficiency across the merchant
team.

Lifestyle & Fashion Blog and Shop;

200+ Followers

UncoveredArtistry.com
Nonprofit Shop

EDUCATION
SIMON BUSINESS SCHOOL
University of Rochester
June 2017
Master in Business Administration
Marketing with Brand Management,
Entrepreneurship Tracks
William E. Simon Leadership
Fellow, Forte Foundation Fellow,
SEMA Automotive Scholarship

LANDS END, INC Dodgeville, WI

Assistant Omni Merchant, Menswear

2012-2013
Drove $15M+ in revenue annually by managing over 55 products by developing styles,
assortments, and strategies to increase profit in four unique categories online, in
catalog, and in 300 retail stores.

Collaborated with cross-functional partners within the Design, Creative, Global

Sourcing, Inventory Planning, and Marketing teams to execute business strategies
and deliver profitable results.

May 2012
GPA 3.98/4.0
Bachelor of Arts Business, Studio
Art

Drove increased sales and margins through product development, product line
assortment, sales planning, promotions, and product launches.

Drove a 10% increase in the sales plan by assorting the line with key new innovative
products, including launching a new active wear category.

Leadership Merit Scholarship,

Studio Art Scholarship, Phi Beta
Kappa, Omicron Delta Epsilon,
Summa Cum Laude

Merchandising Intern, Womens Outerwear

President of Business &

Entrepreneurship Club, Risk
Management Chair of Delta Delta
Delta

Implemented two major team projects: developing and presenting a jacket design
concept and conducting color history data analysis that informed buying decisions
for upcoming seasons.

Led three innovative projects: competitive analysis, green sustainable product

development, and company website features analysis, which provided strategic
direction toward increasing sales and improving customer satisfaction.

Net Impact, Entrepreneurship Club

LAKE FOREST COLLEGE

2011
Assisted the Associate Merchant and the Senior Merchant in daily buying tasks,
including cross-functional communication and managing projects such as competitive
analyses that influenced buying and merchandising strategies for upcoming seasons.

ASSETS & INTERESTS

Languages: Italian (Beginner)

Social Media Expertise:

Facebook, Pinterest,
Instagram, Wordpress, Canva,
Polyvore

Marathon runner and

Triathlete: completed two full
marathons, multiple half
marathons, and two triathlons

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
THE UNCOVERED ARTISTRY PROJECT www.uncoveredartistry.com
Founder
2010-present
Obtained a $10,000 grant from Projects for Peace to found a nonprofit retail company
that sells 40+ handmade products made by domestic abuse survivors online.

Manage brand image that reflects the companys mission for awareness of
domestic abuse through social media outlets, a self-designed website, and branded
promotional material.

Manage sales and customer service, ensuring the customer is satisfied with
products and educated on domestic abuse.