Resume for Walter Bridgham - Seeking new opportunities..

1. Walter Bridgham
3540 30th
Street, Apt 4H 305-793-3486
Astoria, NY 11106 walter.bridgham@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/walterbridgham
SUMMARY
Experienced and successful Director of Product Development with collaborative management
style, an innovative approach to problem solving and effective negotiation skills, combining these
to deliver results. Strong team-builder and product developer with 8 year’s product development,
13 years buying, and 12 years store experience.
 Business foreign travel  Train & Develop Staff
 Strong analytical skills  Set tone for positive work environment
 Creative problem solving  Influential collaborator
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Macy’s Merchandising Group, New York, NY 2007 – 2016
Product Development Division of Macy’s Inc.
Product Director, 2012 - 2016
Provide leadership driving and managing the Private Brand Housewares business and direct
(Macy’s Merchandising Group) MMG product team in Private Brand development. Responsible
for strategic planning, sales, margin and marketing direction of the brands.
Creative
 Set seasonal vision for product development.
 Inspired team of 9 people to generate big ideas and key items.
 Developed a new approach to a line of enamel cast-iron cookware, broadening assortment
offering by working with suppliers to reduce minimum production runs.
 Guided internal buying teams, marketing teams and overseas partners in brand vision.
Financial
 Projected sales and profitability pre-season planning and long term 3 & 5 year goals.
 Applied knowledge of key production factors to negotiate lower cost
 Collaborated and negotiated with overseas factories to deliver superior quality/price value.
 Developed in-season strategies to react to in season sales trends to deliver desired results.
 Created product for online sales which grew by 14% in each of 4 years.
Sr. Product Manager, 2009 - 2012
Provide leadership driving and managing the Private Brand Cookware, Cutlery, Bakeware
business and direct (Macy’s Merchandising Group) MMG product team in Private Brand
development. Responsible for strategic planning, sales, margin and marketing direction of the
brands.
 Developed team members’ skills in presenting, negotiating, and strategizing.
 Set direction and goals to deliver quality, fashion and value.
 Expanded cookware assortment by analyzing competition’s stores, advertising and online
presence.
 Sold products to internal buying groups.

2. Walter Bridgham
3540 30th
Street, Apt 4H 305-793-3486
Astoria, NY 11106 walter.bridgham@gmail.com
P a g e | 2
Product Manager, 2007 - 2009
Responsible for managing the development of private brand/label programs and style plans
within the context of the sales/margin plans and business strategy. Responsible for sales, turn,
MU%, VM and stock levels.
 Planned & executed conversion of market brand assortment to Private Brand.
 Developed Brand strategy supporting a good better best assortment.
 Transitioned the #1 PL Home program (Damask) to a higher quality and broader offering.
 Collaborated with buyer to maximize transition of assortments.
Macy’s Home Store, New York, NY 2004 – 2007
Division of Macy’s Inc.
Buyer - Textiles, 2004 – 2007
Driving sales of $100M, margin, turn and growth for total company across all channels. Develop
strong vendor relations. Set pricing strategies & reacting to in season performance.
 Managed category for 2 department store chain consolidations of assortments.
 Planned & strategized assortments and marketing to drive to 1 national assortment.
Macy’s - Burdines, Miami, FL 1982 – 2004
Division of Macy’s Inc.
Buyer – Table top Housewares, 1999 – 2004
Strategic planning, assorting, buying and marketing of above products to achieve sales goals
and financial requirements for a 45-store chain. Annual sales of $11M. Worked with market to
challenge existing product assortment to develop new and exclusive products.
 Recognized with Spring 2002 Buying Office of the Season Award.
 Recognized with Annual 2002 Buying office of the Year Award.
 Selected to be member of the FDS steering committee for Tabletop Housewares.
 Developed and Taught soft skills training classes for entry-level executives
EDUCATION (& CERTIFICATIONS)
Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Florida International University, Miami, FL
Certificate in Marketing
Florida International University, Miami, FL
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
 New York City Marathon; Completed 2009, 2010
 Chairman’s Make Magic Award; 2014 Best of the Best, 2013 Leadership, 2012 Giving.
 Recognized with Buyer of the Season 2002 and Buyer of the Year 2002.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
 Pride ERG Leader; 2011- 2016, Lead the Macys LGBT Employee Resource Group, focused
on culture and support for the community. Lead the group in Out Reach to charitable
organizations, education of the MMG community of issues that effected the population.
 Aids Walk Captain; 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, Lead the Macys Home family of business team
to deliver increased results year over year for fund raising to support the Charity GMHC.
 United Way Fundraising Captain; 2006, Lead team to raise $95K, +10% over Prior year
results through strategic planning, collaboration and innovative thinking.