Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Anna Griese is a seasoned retail and merchandising executive with over 15 years of experience driving strategic growth and innovation across leading consumer brands. As the Senior Director of Merchandising at S&S Activewear, she leverages her deep industry expertise to spearhead product development, category expansion, and omnichannel merchandising strategies that enhance brand positioning and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As Senior Director of Merchandising at S&S Activewear, Anna oversees the company's $120M merchandise portfolio, leading a team of 25 merchandising and planning professionals. She is responsible for aligning product assortments with evolving consumer preferences, optimizing inventory management, and implementing data-driven merchandising tactics to drive topline revenue growth of 18% year-over-year. Under her leadership, S&S Activewear has expanded its product reach by 30% through strategic brand partnerships and the successful launch of two new private label collections.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Anna held senior merchandising and marketing positions at prominent retail and toy companies, including Toysmith, Yoobi, BEACH HOUSE GROUP, and MGA Entertainment. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a proven track record of delivering innovative merchandise strategies, revitalizing brand identities, and cultivating high-performing cross-functional teams. Her ability to translate market insights into actionable plans has consistently resulted in significant revenue and profitability gains for the organizations she has served.
Academic Background
Anna holds a Bachelor of Science in Retail and Consumer Sciences from the University of Arizona, where she graduated cum laude. She has also completed executive leadership programs at the Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Areas of Expertise
- Omnichannel merchandising and product development
- Inventory management and demand forecasting
- Brand strategy and category expansion
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
- Data analytics and performance optimization
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Anna has spearheaded numerous high-profile initiatives that have delivered measurable impact for her employers. At Yoobi, she led the company's successful pivot to an e-commerce-first model, resulting in a 25% increase in online sales. At BEACH HOUSE GROUP, she oversaw the nationwide relaunch of the Antsy Pants Toys brand, which led to a 40% improvement in customer satisfaction scores and a 35% increase in wholesale distribution.
Conclusion
With her exceptional strategic vision, data-driven decision-making, and proven ability to drive sustainable growth, Anna Griese is a highly respected retail and merchandising executive poised to continue making significant contributions to the industry. Her unwavering commitment to innovation and customer-centricity positions her as a valuable asset to S&S Activewear and the broader retail landscape.
