Kathy Beck

Proven Expertise in Merchandising & MP&A

Kathy is a Principal of Columbus Consulting. Kathy is an accomplished retail executive and consultant with over 30 years of experience and expertise in Merchandise and Assortment Planning, Allocation, and Price, Promotion and Markdown Optimization.  She is skilled in developing and improving strategies, methodologies, and processes; hiring and training planning teams and developing new talent; selecting and implementing new systems and/or improving the effectiveness of current system usage; streamlining business processes, developing training materials and improving business analytics.

Experience

• Ralph Lauren – Change Management & Training Lead
  • o9 Global Supply Chain Implementation. Responsibilities include creation of communication plans for upcoming releases for Agile Development,  creation of training /eLearning materials  and delivery of training for internal and external users across the globe. 
• Walgreens – Business Analyst & Functional Lead
  • MFP & AP system selection. Led Functional Requirements gathering & Future State Business process development to support Category Reset & Revision process for Assortment Planning
• Petco – Business Lead
  • Conducted Gap Analysis leading to design, development and training on 3 excel tools utilized by Planning, Allocation & Merchandising to ensure Key Items are, and remain, in-stock
• Nike – Business & Functional Lead
  • Ladder Planning Tool development & Demand Planning POC. Responsibilities include Project Management, Design, Development, Training & Change Management. Functional Lead for Global Demand Planning o9 Proof of Concept & subsequent implementation
• J. Crew – Business Lead
  • Blue Yonder EP & Allocation Implementation. Responsibilities include Business Process design, change management and training materials for EP . Training and Change Management Lead for BY Allocation implementation
• At Home – Business Analyst
  • Evaluation of current state versus best practices, development of quick wins and future state roadmap for people and process with intense focus on Buying, Sourcing and Product Development. Deep dive into evaluation of roles and responsibilities, merchandise calendar and meeting inputs, outputs, objectives and RACIs