Sarah Ness
Senior Director of Apparel Merchandising, Ariat International
Professional Overview
Sarah Ness is a seasoned retail and e-commerce executive with over 20 years of experience driving strategic growth and operational excellence in the apparel industry. As the Senior Director of Apparel Merchandising at Ariat International, she is responsible for leading a talented team to develop and execute data-driven merchandising strategies that optimize product assortments and enhance the customer experience across both physical and digital channels.
Experience Summary
Current Role
In her current role at Ariat International, Sarah oversees all aspects of the company's apparel merchandising function, including category management, trend forecasting, product development, and inventory planning. She has spearheaded numerous initiatives to streamline operations, improve inventory turns, and deliver exceptional value to Ariat's customers. Under her leadership, the apparel business has achieved double-digit growth and gained significant market share.
Career Progression
Prior to joining Ariat, Sarah held progressive leadership positions at Gap Inc., where she served as the Director of Merchandising and Head of Business for the Global Gap Outlet Men's Division and the Senior Merchandiser and Head of Business for the Gap Outlet Boy's and Kid's Accessories Divisions. In these roles, she demonstrated her ability to drive operational efficiencies, optimize product assortments, and collaborate cross-functionally to achieve strategic objectives. Earlier in her career, Sarah also worked as a Global Growth Driver and Go-To-Market Leader at Passionate About Building Teams and Businesses, where she helped to develop high-performing teams and expand the company's global footprint.
Academic Background
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with honors.
Areas of Expertise
- Apparel merchandising and category management
- Omnichannel retail strategy and operations
- Data-driven decision making and analytics
- Trend forecasting and product development
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
Professional Impact
During her tenure at Ariat, Sarah has played a pivotal role in driving the company's digital transformation and expanding its e-commerce capabilities. She has leveraged her deep understanding of customer behavior and market dynamics to develop innovative merchandising strategies that have resulted in significant improvements in online conversion rates and customer lifetime value. Additionally, Sarah has been instrumental in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within her team, enabling them to respond quickly to changing market conditions and deliver exceptional value to Ariat's customers.
Conclusion
With her extensive experience, strategic vision, and proven track record of success, Sarah Ness is a highly respected leader in the apparel industry. Her ability to drive operational excellence, foster innovation, and build high-performing teams positions her as a valuable asset to Ariat International as the company continues to expand its global footprint and strengthen its market position.
