Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Matthew Browning is an experienced retail industry professional with over 20 years of expertise in assortment planning, demand forecasting, and strategic merchandising. As the Senior Director of Assortment Planning at J.Crew, he leads a team responsible for optimizing product mix, maximizing inventory efficiency, and driving sales growth across the brand's omnichannel retail operations.
Experience Summary
Current Role
In his current role at J.Crew, Matthew is responsible for overseeing the company's assortment planning strategy, including product lifecycle management, inventory allocation, and demand forecasting. He collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the brand's product offering aligns with consumer preferences and delivers a seamless shopping experience. Under his leadership, the assortment planning team has achieved significant improvements in inventory turns, product sell-through, and overall profitability.
Career Progression
Prior to joining J.Crew, Matthew held various leadership positions in assortment planning and demand management at Victoria's Secret. As the Director of Assortment Planning, he led a team that drove a 12% increase in same-store sales through strategic product assortment and inventory optimization. Earlier in his career, Matthew gained valuable experience in planning and buying roles at Macy's, where he honed his skills in data analysis, trend forecasting, and omnichannel strategy.
Academic Background
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Retail Merchandising from the University of Cincinnati, where he graduated with magna cum laude distinction.
Areas of Expertise
- Assortment planning and product lifecycle management
- Inventory optimization and demand forecasting
- Omnichannel retail strategy and implementation
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Data analysis and performance reporting
- Strategic decision-making and problem-solving
Professional Impact
During his tenure at Victoria's Secret, Matthew spearheaded the development of a proprietary demand forecasting model that improved inventory planning accuracy by 22%. This initiative resulted in a significant reduction in markdowns and increased full-price sell-through. Additionally, he has served as a guest speaker at industry conferences, sharing his insights on the evolving landscape of retail assortment planning and the importance of data-driven decision-making.
Conclusion
With his deep understanding of the retail industry, proven track record of success, and commitment to driving innovation, Matthew Browning is a valuable asset to the J.Crew team. As he continues to lead the company's assortment planning strategy, he is well-positioned to contribute to the brand's ongoing growth and profitability.
