ROBERT L.

HUDGINS
127 Nottaway Drive
Hertford, NC 27944
Office: 252.426.5870 rh5680d0@westpost.net Cell: 252.562.2471

SUMMARY
Extensive domestic and international knowledge of both the retail and wholesale
sectors of the furniture industry. Acknowledged as a strong leader and manager w
ith excellent planning skills. Known for creative problem solving, growing busin
esses profitably and exceptional customer service and people skills. Proven abi
lity to work with furniture factories throughout Asia, and retail customers thro
ughout the US. Key expertise includes
* Sales * Buying * Product Development
* Operations * Product Sourcing * Merchandising
* Negotiating * Forecasting and Replenishment

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE, Thomasville, NC 2002 - 2009
(Virginia Ops Division, Appomattox, VA)
International Product Sourcing Manager
Served as liaison between domestic and international organizations for the devel
opment, sourcing, and merchandising of all imported furniture products.
* Developed and expanded an import business model to sell product to US furnitur
e retailers.
* Developed and sourced all products for a 15K sq. ft. display area at High Poin
t furniture market.
* Solicited major furniture retail accounts to develop and sell imported furnitu
re.
* Established business plans with both Costco and Sams Club, to develop, merchan
dise, and source imported furniture.
* Assisted in the design, development, sourcing, negotiating, and product flow o
f the furniture portion of the Canopy brand at Wal-Mart.
* Developed merchandising, sourcing, and price negotiations for (2) home office
programs at Office Max.
* Merchandised, sourced, and conducted price negotiations for a new Target impor
t program.
* Traveled to Asia on average 6 times annually to select factories, merchandisin
g product, price negotiations, reviewing furniture samples for proper constructi
on and finishing, and establishing shipping calendars for current and future fur
niture projects.
* Expanded the market by developing a program to manufacture furniture in our do
mestic facility to sell to Canadian retailers.
HEILIG MEYERS FURNITURE CO., Richmond, VA 1992 - 2002
Asst. Vice President Merchandising 1996 - 2002
Managed the purchasing, merchandising, and flow for adult bedroom, youth bedroom
, formal dining room, and casual dining room furniture for 1.2K stores.
* Managed a re-buying department that maintained a high percentage of in-stock g
oods, while controlling excess inventory.
* Increased sales in youth bedroom by 20% through product selection and merchand
ising.
* Partnered with the logistics department to develop a merchandising plan that p
laced different style product into different areas of the country based on geogr
aphic sales history which resulted in increased sales and inventory turns.
* Maintained or increased category share of the company market place every year.
* Achieved a record $650M in sales for the department.
Major Market Supervisor 1994 - 1996
Supervised overall operations for 16 retail stores in the major markets of Cleve
land, St Louis, and South Florida with 320 employees and a total sales budget of
$64MM. Remerchandised, and marketed (4) FL stores in 6 months resulting in rec
ord opening sales numbers.

ROBERT L. HUDGINS PAGE TWO

HEILIG MEYERS FURNITURE CO. (Continued)
Management Training 1992 - 1994
Produced and implemented a Management Training program for store managers, wareh
ouse managers, and credit managers that focused on improving management techniqu
es and better people skills. Delivered 2 day program over a 1 year period and w
as selected to train Market Supervisors from an acquisition of a chain of stores
.
GRAND PIANO & FURNITURE CO., Roanoke, VA 1969 - 1992
Vice President and General Manager, Charlottesville, VA 1975 - 1992
Managed overall operations, and merchandising for (3) retail store units produci
ng $10M in sales. Managed (3) store managers and 45 employees and set a record o
f 20% profit of net sales. Conducted (1) day warehouse sale each year that produ
ced over $1M in sales in 12 hours. Served on buying committee and attended furni
ture markets in High Point and Hickory, NC.
Vice President and General Manager, Lynchburg, VA 1973 - 1975
Managed overall operations and merchandising for (2) retail stores producing $3M
- $4M in sales. Managed 2 store managers and 25 employees. Achieved record sale
s in 2nd year.
Store Manager, Lexington, VA 1970 - 1973
Managed overall operations and merchandising for retail furniture store, produci
ng $600K-$800K in sales.
EDUCATION
BA, Social Psychology, Minor: Business, University of Richmond

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP ROLES

President, Grand Federal Credit Union
President, Lexington Retail Association
Board of Directors, Westminster Day Care Center
President, Lexington-Rockbridge County Chamber of Commerce
President, Downtown Lynchburg Retail Association
President, Downtown Charlottesville Retail Association