Expertise in Allocation System Design & Implementation
Melissa is a Managing Partner with Columbus Consulting with over twenty years of retail experience. Focus includes strategic planning, functional and business process design and optimization, system implementation and training. Experience in department, specialty, and off-price retail chains, Melissa is an expert in Blue Yonder (BY) solutions with expertise in Merchandise and Assortment Planning as well as Replenishment and Allocation. Melissa can lead and execute projects from conception to go-live support phases. Speaking engagements include several retail events, within industry-related trade groups and as an embedded executive with NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology.
Experience
Famous Footwear, Naturalizer & Sam Edelman’s, division of Caleres, Inc. – Business & Project Lead
BY Allocation infrastructure and software upgrade including advanced enhancements. Gap analysis and risk assessments to develop Communication, Change Management, Coaching, and Training Plans
J. Jill – Business & Project Lead
Allocation transformation including a BY Allocation upgrade and move from on-prem to implementation in AWS cloud. Designed, developed and implemented advanced allocation algorithms, prepack capability, and a shared-inventory functionality within the allocation system. Led change management and training processes to successfully incorporate new business and system enhancements
Century 21 Department Stores – Strategic Advisor & Project Lead
Assessed MP&A organizational structure for Allocation and Planning organizations. Created a future-state road-map for streamlining roles and processes between merchandise, location, and assortment planning in conjunction with recommendations for merchandise calendar modifications. Complete allocation (re)training of all levels of the business – Management, Planners, and Allocators. Business and Project Lead for a BY allocation upgrade in the BY cloud
