Jill Bartholow

Professional Summary

Professional Overview
Jill Bartholow is an accomplished merchandising executive with extensive experience in the retail industry. As the Director of Merchandising at Target, she brings a strategic and data-driven approach to optimizing product assortments, driving sales, and enhancing the customer experience.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As the Director of Merchandising at Target, Jill is responsible for overseeing the company's merchandise planning and buying strategies across various product categories. She leads a team of buyers and planners to ensure the right products are in the right stores at the right time, catering to the evolving needs and preferences of Target's diverse customer base. Under her leadership, Jill has implemented innovative merchandising strategies that have contributed to significant revenue growth and improved profitability.

Career Progression
Jill's career at Target spans over 15 years, during which she has steadily progressed through various buying and product management roles. She started as a Sourcing Business Analyst in the Furniture and School & Office Supplies departments, gaining valuable insights into the supply chain and procurement processes. Jill then transitioned into buying roles, where she honed her skills in product selection, category management, and vendor negotiations, working across the Kids Basics, Girls Sportswear, and Decorative Home categories.

Academic Background
Jill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Retail Merchandising from the University of Minnesota, where she graduated cum laude. Her academic background provided a strong foundation in merchandising principles, consumer behavior, and data analysis, which she has effectively applied throughout her career.

Areas of Expertise

• Retail merchandising and category management

• Product assortment planning and optimization

• Inventory management and supply chain optimization

• Data-driven decision making and analytics

• Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership

Professional Impact
During her tenure as Director of Merchandising, Jill has spearheaded several initiatives that have driven significant business impact. She led the implementation of a new merchandising planning system that improved forecasting accuracy, reduced excess inventory, and enhanced overall inventory productivity. Additionally, Jill played a pivotal role in the development and launch of a successful private label line in the Girls Sportswear category, which has become a top-performing segment within the business.

Conclusion
Jill Bartholow is a seasoned retail merchandising executive with a proven track record of driving strategic and operational excellence. Her deep industry knowledge, analytical expertise, and strong leadership skills have made her a valuable asset to Target, where she continues to shape the company's merchandising strategy and deliver exceptional results.