Kimberly Schutz
Seasoned Merchandising Executive with Extensive Retail Leadership Experience
Professional Overview
Kimberly Schutz is a highly accomplished retail executive with over 20 years of experience in the merchandising and buying domain. She currently serves as the Vice President of Merchandising for Women's Apparel, Swim, Outerwear, Intimates, and Sleepwear at Kohl's, where she oversees the strategic planning, sourcing, and allocation of these key product categories.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Vice President of Merchandising at Kohl's, Kimberly is responsible for driving the company's merchandising strategy and execution across several high-priority women's apparel and lifestyle categories. In this role, she leverages her extensive industry knowledge and analytical expertise to identify emerging trends, optimize product assortments, and deliver exceptional value to Kohl's customers.
Career Progression
Prior to joining Kohl's, Kimberly held several senior-level merchandising and buying positions at renowned retail organizations, including Lands' End and The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Her career trajectory has been marked by progressive growth and increasing responsibilities, culminating in her current role as a key member of Kohl's executive leadership team.
Academic Background
Kimberly holds a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she graduated with distinction and demonstrated exceptional academic performance.
Areas of Expertise
- Retail merchandising and category management
- Omnichannel strategy and execution
- Inventory planning and supply chain optimization
- Data-driven decision making and analytics
- Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Kimberly has made significant contributions to the success of the organizations she has worked for. Some of her notable achievements include:
- Spearheading the development and implementation of a new global women's apparel and accessories strategy at Lands' End, resulting in a 12% increase in category sales
- Driving the successful turnaround of the Kids and Home divisions at Lands' End, leading to a 15% improvement in profitability
- Implementing data-driven merchandising processes at The Bon-Ton Stores, which improved inventory management and drove a 7% increase in gross margins
Conclusion
With her unparalleled expertise in retail merchandising, strategic vision, and a proven track record of driving successful outcomes, Kimberly Schutz is poised to continue making a significant impact in her role at Kohl's. Her deep industry knowledge, analytical skills, and collaborative leadership style make her a valuable asset to the company as it navigates the evolving retail landscape.