Sonia Mulford

sonia.mulford@gmail.com 414.469.2992

SUMMARY Internationally experienced, results-oriented retail and photo production professional with a creative eye, positive, resourceful work ethic and strategic approach to problem solving. Experienced in photo production, photo styling, product development, project management and marketing communications in Fortune 500 multi-channel retail organizations. Highly organized and well versed in deadline-driven environments with shifting priorities and resource conflicts. EXPERIENCE Banana Republic/Gap Inc., Customer Experience Manager. Chattanooga, TN., 07/2013Present. Customer engagement though service and Brand Ambassador coaching. Execute daily action plans to ensure effective and efficient store operation to drive profitability. Ensure optimum sales floor coverage by leveraging resources accordingly. Create development and training plans for staff and provide in-the-moment coaching to reward or redirect action. Sephora/LVMH, Fragrance Consultant. Chattanooga, TN., 10/2011-07/2013. Retail selling, client service and staff support. Plan and execute events to drive traffic and increase store profitability. Maintain visual merchandising standards to reflect company brand. Recipient of 2012 Team Achievement Award for Excellence in Overall Service. Farmette, Assistant Prop & Food Stylist/ Creative Consultant, Limerick, Ireland. 03/2010-06/2010 and 03/2011-05/2011. Research, proofreading and product development for start-up international lifestyle site featuring farm-to-table food, organic gardening, agritourism and social media. Photo styling for the cookbook The Irish Butcher. Collaborate with Lead Stylist on styling, photographer selection, props, backgrounds and art direction. Management of resources, merchandise schedule and client communication, resulting in timely project completion, below budget. Kohls Advertising Photo Studio. Senior Merchandise Coordinator. Milwaukee,WI.,10/2008-03/2010. Manage project workflow and merchandise sample team to ensure accurate and timely receipt, preparation, and routing of resources for print, in-store and e-commerce media. Communicate with Studio, Marketing and Merchandising partners to improve workflow processes and ensure Studio production calendar deadlines met and shot count achieved. Develop best practices to maximize Studio resources. Provide feedback and coaching to team of twelve Sample Specialists and Preppers to lead team through 40% increase in e-commerce production. Develop additional positions to meet color retouch department sample routing needs. Manage cross-training of team to ensure coverage for all areas of sample handling, resulting in a 52% reduction in photo re-shoots. Book independent contractors daily and manage contractor budget of $50k.

Marshall Fields / Target Corporation | Macys Inc., Minneapolis, 1999-2008. :: Advertising Photo Studio. Senior Production Coordinator, 07/2005-02/2008. Visual media production for companys print and in-store marketing photo studio. Management of prep area and communication with Studio and Marketing partners to ensure accuracy for print and online media and to keep studio production on schedule. Production for on-location shoots, including permits, location kits, and catering. Initiate vendor relationships and organizational best practices to meet budgets and timing, contributing to a 50% increase in production from 2006 to 2007. :: Training & Development Coordinator, 06/2002-07/2005. Support Learning & Development/ Organizational Effectiveness team in corporate and stores training. Manage creative assets, develop content and edit updates for publication of monthly 400-page POS eLearning website. Manage and enforce merchandise calendar for online image deliverables. Coordinate storewide launch of the Fragrance Foundation Sales Specialist Certification program and cosmetic vendor training events. Produce soft-lines product knowledge guides for store associates training. Manage multi-channel product knowledge and SOP communication vehicles. Coordinate logistics for systems conversion training through company acquisition. Manage and report on budget totaling $350k. Merit Award for exemplary online communication from the Society of Technical Communication, 2003. :: Product Development Coordinator, 07/1999-06/2002. Support Product Development team in execution of private brand apparel. Develop specs and sketch CAD flat silhouettes and for development and presentation. Communicate with vendors and merchants to ensure product standard compliance. Measure and document vendor-submitted samples throughout development cycle. Reconcile fabric color swatches with graphics color to ensure product accuracy. Update customer-facing brand collateral to communicate merchandise features. Coordinate consumer focus groups and competitive analysis to measure brand recognition. Four-Star Team Award for Outstanding Financial Performance of $40.6m, 2001; Merchandising Teamwork Recognition, 2002. EDUCATION University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Science, Clothing Design, Minneapolis, MN., 1999. SKILLS SET Computer :: Proficient on PC and Mac platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, Karat CAD; Creative :: Styling, prepping, sewing, visual merchandising, props selection, editing.