Robert P.

Koklas
4439 Hobbs Drive, La Canada, CA 91011 * 818.952.0185

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
* Over thirty years of retail experience in Brick and Mortar, Wholesale, and Int
ernet Companies specializing in Home Furnishings and Ready-To-Wear.
* Superior organizational ability, detail oriented, effective in delivering pres
entations that generate new business.
* Skilled in implementing ideas from initial concept through successful completi
on for major profitably.
* Diplomatic and assertive in dealing with people.
* Proven management skills in a fast-paced environment.
* Familiar with Internet systems in a start-up company.
* Extensive experience in merchandising within internet retailing, physical reta
il store, and repping company.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Pacific Sunwear, Anaheim, CA Vendor Services Manager
2007 - Present
* Supervise a department responsible for ensuring timely shipments from manufact
urers and tracking warehouse deliver.
* Ensure 95% complete deliveries of $20 million to $100 million weekly receipts.
* Interact with manufacturers (local/overseas), merchants, warehouse, finance, a
nd IT departments.
* Prepare weekly reports to top management regarding missed and incomplete deliv
eries by area.
* Prepare weekly analysis of overall vendor compliance results for top managemen
t.
* Oversee the Advance Shipping Notice process.
* Compile and analyze the issues by vendor.
* Trouble shoot issues for the warehouse.
* Prepare monthly reports of advance shipping notice and vendor compliance issue
s by vendor.
Dilbeck Realtors, La Canada, CA (www.robkoklas.com) Realtor
2004 - Present
* Service the Foothill community, representing clients with sales reaching $4M i
n residential and commercial properties.
* Employ exceptional marketing techniques/tools and customer service/support in
assisting clients reach their investment goals, using the latest technology.
* Market property through design campaigns that fit the area and current marketp
lace through creativity and tactical agility.
* Design and produce direct mail postcards, property flyers, property brochures,
newspaper advertising, and internet marketing to reach targeted audience.
Mikasa, Southern CA Account Executive / Manufacturer's Representative
2000 - 2008
* Responsible for Robinson's-May and Meier & Frank divisions of May Corporate, a
-store chain, and all retail accounts in Southern California.
* Developed the business to a $5M level.
* Conducted weekly communication with General and Divisional Merchandise Manager
and held weekly meetings with China, Crystal, and Silver Buyers and Robinson's-
May/Meier & Frank.
* Analyzed sales at Robinson's-May/Meier & Frank (including planning/refining th
e Mikasa assortment; analyzed performance promotions/catalogs; identified trends
and monitored/managed shipments/backorders; maintained stock levels.
* Analyzed structure of profitable performance in sales, gross margin and turnov
er for Robinson's-May/ Meier & Frank; controlled inventory/markdowns to plan.
* Organized staff responsible for managing the servicing of Robinson's-May/Meier
& Frank in training and display.
* Conducted quarterly "Training Seminars" at Robinson's-May/Meier & Frank for al
l sales associates and bridal consultants.
* Worked with Bridal Director, Robinson's-May/Meier & Frank, to identify bridal
trends; ensured/maintained stock levels; organized and participated in bi-yearly
Bridal Fairs.
* Worked with Robinson's-May/Meier & Frank's distribution center in handling the
writing of "special orders" for china, crystal, and silver. Coordinated, manag
ed, and reviewed all Mikasa stock returns.

MyHome.com (Idealab Co.), Pasadena, CA Merchandise Manager/Merchandise Buyer

1999 - 2000
* Responsible for sales, gross margin, turnover, inventory control and markdowns
.
* Oversaw Merchandising Buyers, Managers and Planners.
* Participated in cross-departmental meetings (production, editorial, marketing,
customer service, and operation).
* Effectively structured price points competitively to increase company's revenu
e by 20+%.
* Brought credibility through reputation to the "E-Commerce Industry" that most
manufacturers ignored and resisted.
* Successfully launched a Furniture Department and Accessories, in all categorie
s, with inventory, in less than three months with premiere industry names.
* Convinced highly sought-out manufacturers (Mitchell Gold, Stone County Ironwor
ks, BDI, and Pure Design) whose distribution clients are Crate 'N Barrel, Potter
y Barn, and Restoration Hardware to expand their presence nationally through MyH
ome.com.
* Successfully negotiated an "exclusive agreement" with Mitchell Gold ("MG"), a
premiere upholstery manufacturer, to authorize MyHome.com as its first E-Commerc
e company to feature MG furniture exclusively on the Internet.
* As sales/business analyzer, planned assortment by brand; weekly analyzed open-
to-buy and performance of brands, items, and promotions; developed/executed stoc
k/sales plans by brand/vendor; completed seasonal analyses; recapped customer bu
ying trends; negotiated vendor returns.
* As strategist/financial manager, developed/executed category strategies, creat
ive merchandising, by-brand seasonal budgets; reviewed vendor performances; empl
oyed seasonal strategies; negotiated RTVs; drove category to meet budgeted sales
and managed profitability.
* As Web merchandiser/promoter, developed/executed by-brand and event promotiona
l calendars/strategies; negotiated/maintained new launch calendar and GWPs/PWPs;
oversaw/managed Boutique development for new brands and new-brand launches.
The Young Marketing Group, Inc., Los Angeles, CA Manufacturer's Rep
1991 - 1999
* Developed business to a $15+M level.
* Managed and developed programs through the Arizona division of Dillards.
* Directed sales for The Young Marketing Group with six representatives and 20+
premiere lines (Arc International (Durand), Baldwin Home Decor, Dansk , Wilton A
rmetale, WMF); helped coordinate/develop programs for Key Customers.
* Handled key accounts in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Canada, and
Guam.
The Antique Guild, Los Angeles, CA VP, Director of Operations/General Manage
r 1988 - 1991
* Directed corporate operations for a multi-state retail furniture chain with an
nual volume of $25M.
* Organized executive staff that managed all functions of operations
* Managed Buying Staff with a $25M open-to-buy.
* Successfully structured price points, increasing company's revenue by 15%.
* Coordinated advertising concepts, budgets, and visual presentations.
Macy's (Federated), Los Angeles, CA (AKA Bullock's Furniture and Silver Buy
er 1984 - 1988
* Responsible for buying/sourcing product for 22-store chain with annual volume
of $750M.
* Received prestigious award, "Buyer Of The Year," which distinguishes an unpara
lleled "Level Of Excellence" from 160+ ready-to-wear, cosmetics, and home furnis
hings buyers.
* Consistently exceeded departmental plan in sales, gross margin, and turnover;
controlled inventory and markdowns to plan.
* Supervised two assistant buyers, a clerical, and special order analyst and was
responsible for their career development and promotions.
Barker Brothers, Pasadena, CA Furniture Buyer
1983 - 1984
* Responsible for $60M inventory; maintained extensive contact with 100+ industr
y representatives.
* Developed marketing strategies, designed new product, and planned promotional
opportunities.

Robinson's-May, Hollywood, CA EVP Assistant (Budget, Lingerie, Home Store);

Young Men's Buyer;
Furniture Buyer 1973 - 1983
* Responsible for buying and sourcing product for 25-store chain both domestical
ly and overseas.
* As EVP Assistant, coordinated open-to-buy budgets by division, and oversaw, bu
dgeted, and coordinated the advertising calendar for three divisions and all buy
ers.
* As Young Men's Buyer, responsible for development/growth of prestigious compan
ies such as Levi Strauss, Panatela, H.D. Lee.
* Consistently increased department's profitability by 20+%.
* Supervised assistant buyers, clericals, and special order analysts and respons
ible for their career development/promotions.