Jessica Chen

Commercial procurement leader with 14 years’ experience owning £35M+ spend portfolios within complex, international environments. Brings strong commercial judgement, analytical rigour and negotiation capability to high-value, business-critical categories. Proven at delivering significant cost savings, improved commercial control and operational efficiency through disciplined category strategy, supplier governance and data-led decision-making. 

Core Strengths: -Category & Spend Leadership. -Global Sourcing & Supplier Strategy. -Advanced Commercial Negotiation. -Supplier Governance & Performance. -Procurement & Process Transformation. -Compliance, Risk & ESG .

HALLMARK CARDS PLC UK AND EUROPE
Senior Buyer Indirect Procurement and Finished Goods
May 2022 to Present

International greetings card and gifting retailer and FMCG manufacturer operating across UK and EU markets with complex multi channel distribution and national logistics infrastructure. Lead Hallmark dot co dot uk stock and trading operations to drive margin integrity and online revenue performance.

Own end to end procurement strategy across a 35 million GBP indirect and finished goods portfolio driving cost optimisation governance and operational performance.
Lead competitive tendering RFP and RFQ contract negotiation and supplier consolidation across logistics warehousing ecommerce marketing legal IT facilities and operational categories.
Manage national capital expenditure sourcing initiatives supporting distribution centre infrastructure and peak season resilience.
Partner with Finance Supply Chain and Operations to align forecasting budgeting and cost control frameworks.
Provide executive level reporting to VP and leadership on savings delivery supplier risk and commercial exposure.

Delivered 650 thousand GBP annualised savings through structured RFP execution.
Improved SLA performance from 83 percent to 96 percent within six months through KPI led governance.
Built and launched real time procurement intelligence platform automating KPI SLA spend and renewal tracking saving over 36 hours per month across six departments.

FINDEL EDUCATION LTD MANCHESTER UK
Buyer and Category Manager STEM IT and Technology
August 2021 to May 2022

Education supplier and retailer operating multi channel B2B and B2C ecommerce platform with international distribution including GCC markets.

Owned full category profit and loss across STEM IT and Technology portfolio driving revenue growth margin optimisation and inventory sell through performance.
Led assortment architecture and rationalised over 300 SKUs optimising mix depth and lifecycle management.
Negotiated commercial terms exclusivity agreements and supplier contracts with global brands including LEGO Apple Casio and Samsung.
Developed branded and private label ranges aligned to trading strategy and growth roadmap.

Launched 30 new Early Years SKUs unlocking 60 thousand GBP gross margin in Q1 and establishing new growth segment in Middle East markets.
Delivered 300 SKU rationalisation driving 22 percent sales uplift and generating 100 thousand GBP incremental revenue.
Migrated over 200 SKUs to plastic free packaging reducing materials cost by 15 thousand GBP annually while strengthening ESG positioning.

STUDIO RETAIL LTD ACCRINGTON UK
Buyer and Category Manager Womens and Kids Footwear
June 2019 to April 2021

UK multi channel retailer transitioning into a pure online model managing the largest cash generating category within Clothing and Footwear.

Owned and delivered branded footwear strategy across a 9 million GBP category shaping assortment architecture pricing strategy intake planning and digital first trading execution.
Led commercial negotiations with global branded and licensed suppliers managing payment terms rebates credit structures exclusivity agreements and delivery terms.
Drove open to buy control forecasting accuracy and markdown optimisation to protect margin integrity and achieve sales targets.
Expanded branded and direct dispatch portfolio to increase online range breadth while minimising inventory exposure and improving in season agility.
Partnered with Merchandising and Senior Leadership on weekly trading performance and forecasting.

Tripled Skechers revenue from 1.5 million GBP to 4 million GBP transforming it into the number one cash and profit driving brand through supplier renegotiation SKU expansion and improved commercial terms.
Secured UGG as a direct supplier delivering a 15.6 percent margin uplift and increasing Autumn Winter margin to 158 thousand GBP versus 63 thousand GBP the previous year.
Expanded branded portfolio by 16 new suppliers and onboarded 6 direct dispatch partners strengthening competitive positioning and enabling agile low risk trading.
Launched first womens character slippers collection and grew Kids licensed range by 40 percent delivering 70 thousand GBP in season margin uplift.

BRAND ATTIC VISAGE LTD MANCHESTER UK
Buyer Womenswear and Menswear Clothing Footwear and Accessories
April 2017 to September 2018

UK fashion retailer operating multi category apparel and footwear ranges across branded and private label portfolios.

Managed a 6 million GBP annual buying budget shaping margin strategy assortment mix pricing architecture and volume planning to drive sustainable commercial growth.
Drove supplier negotiations intake planning and margin optimisation to improve sell through and inventory efficiency.
Improved buying and merchandising processes to accelerate go live speed and enhance online trading readiness.

Launched first private label range generating 154 thousand GBP sales and 62 thousand GBP margin with 73 percent sell through.
Increased online visibility by 22 percent through targeted social media and homepage merchandising delivering 35 thousand GBP additional revenue.

PAST EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Buyer Katies Australia Womens Woven Tops Jackets and Denim 15 million AUD annual sales April 2016 to April 2017
Assistant Buyer Debenhams Mens Footwear Designer and International Sportswear Brands 1.5 million GBP annual sales February 2014 to April 2016
Trainee Buyer Primark Ladies Core Volume Long Sleeve and Licensed Tees June 2013 to February 2014
Trainee Buyer Matalan Industry Placement Essentials and Nightwear August 2011 to August 2012
Brand Sales Specialist Emporio Armani 2010 to 2011
Retail Sales Associate Selfridges and Kurt Geiger 2008 to 2010

2023-2024 Charterterd Institute of Procurement & Supply - CIPS Level 4 Qualified (Procurement & Supply Diploma).

2009-2013 Manchester Metropolitan University - BSc (hons) International Fashion Marketing                    1st class honors Modules: International Retail Marketing, Buying & Procurement, Logistics, Financial Management & Global Business Studies.