COLUMBUS CONSULTING - Key Persons
Alain Krakirian is a Partner with Columbus Consulting. He has extensive executive-level experience in retail and e-commerce, specializing in Merchandising and Planning/Allocation. He has a focused and collaborative management style and a solid track record for leading teams and developing and implementing processes that address the unique needs of a business. Alain has extensive strategic and tactical business experience leading the Planning, Forecasting, Allocation and Replenishment functions at Omni-Channel companies. He has an in-depth knowledge of the apparel specialty segment - wholesale, retail and e-commerce - including fast-fashion.
Experience
Proven Leadership
Extensive, executive leadership roles in Buying, Planning and Allocation, and E-Commerce projects at major specialty and apparel retailers
Job Titles:
- Principal Consultant With
Amy Amari Conley is a Principal Consultant with Columbus Consulting. She began her consulting career as the Training Coordinator supporting UAT at Big Lots!, followed by further opportunities as a Project Coordinator at Express, and handling Testing, Data Validation and Training duties at several clients. She moved into roles as a Business Analyst beginning with J. Jill, continuing that work with several traditional retailers, as well as within the Cannabis and CBD industry. She has worked with numerous systems including Oracle, TrueCommerce (Transaction Manager & Nexternal), NetSuite ERP, and TXT Maplelake.
Experience
Green Growth Brands - IT Business Analyst
Created item hierarchy for start-up company specializing in the Cannabis and CBD industry; involved extensive research in the current market to create groups, classes, etc. to align across all brands under parent company; worked with key business leaders to gain naming terminology, hierarchy levels, and sign off on final hierarchy. Created process flows for integrations for all systems, current and future. Active participant in ERP system selection
Five Below - Business / Process Analyst
Participated in learning and design sessions with Planning team for new Item Planning tool; created and maintained process flows. Co-authored Business Process Document, E2E and UAT test scripts, and created training manuals for each section of the system to be utilized (8 manuals). Led the sort and clean-up of Attribute/Item Type Excel document for easier clean-up by Five Below and their Planners/Buyers
J. Jill - Business Analyst
Participated in discovery sessions with assigned Business Lead to define process and business rules surrounding "Life of an Item"; Authored "Life of an Item" Use Case documents with Oracle retail reference model (11 documents: Creation, Maintenance, and Reclassification of Fashion and Basic Items); Authored End User Training and Train the Trainer documents (14 total)
Specialization
Merchandising & MP&A
Item Planning
Expertise
Business Analysis
Business Requirements
Testing
Quality Assurance
Project Documentation
Andrea Auchterlonie has held various executive leadership roles throughout her 30+ year career with national and global retailers including Berkertex, Windsmoor, Liz Claiborne, Mexx, Jones NY & Suitsupply. Andrea's leadership roles have included responsibilities in Inventory Management, Merchandise Planning, Allocation & Replenishment, IT Management & Business Application Management. She has worked with various retailers on system selection, design, integration, and implementation of ERP, Allocation & Replenishment, Markdown Optimisation, RFID and Prescriptive Analytics applications as well as assisting in the integration of acquisitions, business process optimization and change management. Excellent track record of designing and implementing practical solutions that deliver value for the retailer. Flexible and inclusive with the ability to adapt to the clients culture.
Experience
Hunkemöller - Subject Matter Expert
Worked to implemented Oracle RPAS Fusion MFP and an Assortment Planning Tool. Contributed to current/future state documentation. Created test scripts for system integration testing and logging defects. Contributed to change management and training strategies
Beth Flynn is a Principal with Columbus Consulting. Beth is results-oriented executive with 20+ years of achievement in global marketplace inclusive of specialty retail, e-commerce, and wholesale. Expert ability to promote growth through thought leadership, change management, and successful adoptions. Natural leader able to influence and engage business partners, develop top-performing teams, and direct impactful projects and programs. Beth has specialized in implementing end to end solutions and business process improvement. Her areas of expertise include Finance, Store Operations, Business Intelligence, HR/Payroll, Loss Prevention, Marketing, Point of Sale, and Real Estate.
Experience
Polo Ralph Lauren - Vice President Global Enterprise Information Management (EIM)
Responsible for Global master data management for Finance, Material, Customer (Wholesale) and Vendor data
Responsible for the global financial planning data and Hyperion Application
Beverly Marshall is a Principal at Columbus Consulting. She has been consulting for clients for the past seven years. She is a highly motivated business consultant and information technology expert with over 20 years of experience managing the implementation of numerous systems and solutions to solve complex business needs.
Experience
Christmas Tree Shops - Quality Assurance & Project Management
Bill Crayton is an experienced Retail leader. As a Principal and former Partner with Columbus Consulting, he brings extensive understanding of business process, organizational design, prototyping, and merchandising functions. Bill contributes creative approaches to leveraging existing processes & systems. With cross-functional industry background spanning various Merchandising roles, Retail Operations, and Merchandise Systems, Bill is a knowledgeable Merchant-minded professional with the ability to work with all levels within an organization.
Experience
Lifeway Christian Stores - Chief Merchant
Executive Leader of Merchandising, Merchandise Planning, Allocation & Replenishment. Executive sponsor for new Merchandising system selections: RELEX and MS 365
Bob Affinito is a Principal with Columbus Consulting. An accomplished consultant focused on the Retail & Customer sector with a successful track record delivering results in strategy development, operations improvement and systems integration. Strong core retail functional competencies in retail planning and forecasting processes including merchandise financial planning, assortment planning, allocation & replenishment and forecasting. Extensive project management experience managing complex engagements and partnering with retail clients to define and deliver transformational multi-channel programs.
Experience
Soft Surroundings - ERP Selection Analyst
Bob Horner is a Partner with Columbus Consulting, assisting retailers with Project Management and implementation of Planning, Allocation, Replenishment and Forecasting applications.
Experience
American Freight - Subject Matter Expert
Brad Eckhart is a Partner and Consultant with Columbus Consulting. Prior to joining Columbus, Brad held various executive leadership roles throughout his 30+ year career with both global and national brands including Ralph Lauren, J. Jill, Finish Line, Juicy Couture and Warner Bros. Studio Stores. Brad's various leadership roles have included responsibilities in Merchandise Planning & Allocation, Assortment Planning, Supply Chain, and Business Analytics. He has worked with various retailers on system selection, design, and implementation of Merchandising, BI and Analytics systems, as well as assisting in business process optimization and change management. Brad recently completed the Harvard Business Analytics Program; furthering his commitment to the integration of data analytics and business intelligence in the retail industry.
Experience
Aldo - Client Manager, Capability Advisor
Capability Advisor for the implementation of Aptos Merchandise Planning & Allocation modules, and Sas Size & Pack Optimization systems, for an international, multi-channel wholesale/franchise/specialty retailer. Provided insight on system design, business process and change management
Soft Surroundings - Functional Design Lead
Functional Design Lead for the implementation of Tableau as an visual analytics tool for a multi-channel specialty retailer. Responsible for the design and development of executive and management level dashboards to support business processes
La Polar - Client Manager, Consultant
Brad Sterling is a Partner with Columbus Consulting. He has been consulting for retail clients for the over 25 years. His responsibilities have included project management, business process definition, application requirements gathering, system selection assistance, system design, system configuration, system testing, business process and system training, transition definition, and system implementation.
Experience
Finish Line - Planning Process Definition and Implementation
Responsibilities included working with business and IT representatives to define merchandise planning, financial budgeting, key item planning, store planning and grading, and assortment strategy processes. Worked with third-party software solution partners to define a technical solution that fully supported the business strategy. Assisted with projected management and led the user acceptance and training teams
Brenda Fite is a Principal with Columbus having over 20 years in the retail industry, with a foundation built in merchandise planning, and then as a developer of retail software at Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software). As the primary developer of the Blue Yonder Enterprise Planning Implementation Toolkit, and with a deep understanding of the Planning Environment Manager, she has a unique and thorough understanding of the implementation of these tools. In addition to the continued development and enhancement of the EP Toolkit, Brenda provided extensive documentation and training materials, conducted training seminars, and wrote and ran regression testing programs. Ms. Fite has provided her technical and functional expertise as a Developer and Support analyst to customers and consultants, often at critical times in implementation cycles. As a Senior Functional Support Analyst at Blue Yonder, Ms. Fite also became well-versed in Blue Yonder Allocation, as she helped to resolve customer issues through analysis, research, and problem-solving.
Experience
Ulta - Merchandise Planning Functional
Brian Greene is a Principal with Columbus Consulting. Prior to joining Columbus, Brian held executive-level roles throughout his 25+ year career in retail and e-commerce, specializing in Merchandising and Planning, Allocation, and Assortment Planning. He has experience with multiple retailers in leading and advising on the system design and implementation, end-to-end process optimization, and organization design. He has depth of knowledge of the department and specialty store segments, private and national brand business models, and apparel and home product categories.
Experience
GrowGeneration - Client Manager, Consultant
Charlotte has most recently been awarded The Ones to Watch Award/Rising Stars in Retail by Consulting Magazine. Watch Video Here
Experience
Ted Baker - CCI
Charlotte Kula-Przezwanski is a Partner for Columbus Consulting. Charlotte joined CCI in September 2013 to head up EMEA and grow this territory. Prior to joining CCI, Charlotte held senior positions in software companies specializing in Merchandise Planning solutions; involved in design, development and implementation of many of today's industry-leading planning and allocation solutions, and also large UK Retailers. A specialist with over 20 years of experience working with retail, wholesale and manufacturing companies focused on improving corporate performance through better planning, execution & analysis. An interesting mix of buying and merchandising expertise, twinned with systems implementation knowledge with deep experience in aligning the technological benefits of new systems. A proficiency in both the U.K. and international multi-channel retail. with a thorough understanding of a wide selection of product areas, differing retail models, channels to market and customer demographics.
Experience
ASOS - Subject Matter Expert/Senior Consultant
Christine is a Principal with Columbus Consulting with a strong background in merchandising, retail buying, assortment planning, and inventory management. Her experience provides an in-depth knowledge of understanding process and helping to implement and thoroughly test solutions supporting desired business strategies. In addition, she has aided in process documentation and end user training and support.
Experience
Malin + Goetz - Business Analyst
Created timeline and detail project plan for ERP selection. Created strategic roadmap that supports their 4 yr growth plan
Full Beauty Brands - Project Manager
Claudia Andrade is a Consultant with Columbus Consulting with 17 years of experience in Retail and Wholesale Planning, Business Intelligence, Business Process Design and Reengineering, and Retail Application Design. Systems experience includes Oracle Retail (formerly Retek) Merchandise Financial Planning, Assortment Planning, Demand Forecasting, Size Profile and Pack Optimization; Predictix Merchandise Planning, Location Planning, Assortment Planning, Item Planning, Demand Forecasting, Assortment and Space Optimization, Markdown Optimization, Store Clustering; Torex (Compass) Assortment Planning; STS Open Planning; Arthur Merchandise Planning; Adaytum Sales Planning; Quick Response; Retailink Decision Support System; Proclarity; MMS Allocation; Business Objects; MicroStrategy; MS Excel with VBA.
Experience
Predictix - Business Consultant/Solution Lead
Daniel Binder is a Managing Partner at Columbus Consulting with 35+ years of global retail expertise creating high-performing teams with intense focus on organizational design, business process improvement, bottom-line benefits and change management. He is skilled and experienced in navigating a retail company through significant structural and innovative change across all channels of retail, with a reputation for developing top and bottom-line impact and rigorous cost management. He has exceptional knowledge of all channels of retail, with a deep understanding of the customer globally with a notable focus on Asia. He leads with a customer-first mindset and unwavering integrity.
Experience
DFS Hong Kong, Division of LVMH - President Global Supply Chain & Digital Transformation
Progressed across many leadership roles through increased scope and responsibilities. Reported directly to the CEO with dotted line to the President of Merchandising; actively engaged with the Board of Directors, and forged partnerships with the leadership of the world's most demanded brands. Built a world-class Planning and Allocation Team. Led the company's relocation to Asia, drove sales growth and inventory optimization efficiencies, eliminated organizational silos and aligned cross-functional teams. Restructured and transformed the DFS Supply Chain and Merchandising teams, driving significant sustainable change that brought scalability to sales growth and bottom-line operating income. Led the company's digital transformation. Actively involved in the company's business development and it's organizational integration
Macy's East - Vice President Divisional Merchandise Manager
Rapidly progressed from Sales Manager to multiple Director and VP roles across Stores, Merchandising and Planning
Specialization
Supply Chain
Merchandising
Inventory Management
Merchandise Planning
Allocation-Demand Planning
Digital Transformation
Warehousing Fulfillment
Expertise
Strategy & Transformation
Mr. McCarthy is an Alliance with Columbus Consulting. He has over 35 years of experience working with retail firms. He specializes in merchandising strategy, program and project management, operations improvement and systems integration. Experienced with all segments of retailing, with excellent communications skills. Capable of dealing effectively across all segments of an organization.
Experience
Malin+Goetz - Project Manager
Oversaw the selection and implementation of an ERP to replace Quickbooks for this rapidly growing Apothecary. The replacement system had to accommodate contract manufacturing, retail stores, forecasting, wholesale and e-commerce. The solution encompassed a number of applications, in that no single solution could satisfy the requirements. Managed from selection through go-live.
Ann, Inc. - Project Manager
Dave Edwards is a Principal and Master Anaplanner with Columbus Consulting. He has spent the past 5 years working exclusively with the Anaplan platform as a model builder and solutions architect, both full time and as an independent consultant. Throughout his career, his experience has included finance use cases ranging from FP&A to Real Estate and Private Equity, with additional work alongside Supply Chain organizations. His in-depth knowledge of the Anaplan platform has allowed him to drive growth and sustainability within his clients' business processes and technology landscapes.
Experience
•Intuit - Data Integrations & Sales Forecasting
Oversaw the implementation of data integrations through Anaplan API and Amazon Redshift for the Customer Success organization. Led the design of a target setting and agent performance tracking solution for the Sales Operations team.
Welltower, Inc. - Solutions Architect
Architected the implementation of a statistical real estate portfolio budgeting model through Anaplan's New UX dashboard interface. Created advanced modeling capabilities that allowed the FP&A team to evaluate historical revenue and expense performance using historical median and quartile approach, as well as best-fit forecasting, outlier automation, and future projections using 14 unique methods.
David Denenberg held strategic leadership roles at Bed Bath & Beyond, Footlocker, and Macy's including responsibilities in Merchandise Financial Planning, eCommerce / DTC, Vendor Relations / AP, Quality Assurance & Safety, Import Operations, Supply Chain, and Business Analytics. He specializes in tackling complex challenges, improving productivity, and delivering excellence. An expert in business process optimization, David directed the modernization and implementation of operational, financial, merchandising, and analytical systems. His ability to collaborate cross-functionally and empower high-performing teams in an omni-channel retail environment aided in driving both top and bottom-line results.
Experience
Bed Bath & Beyond - Vice President
Reported to CFO with dotted line to President and Chief Merchandising Officer
Designed and developed all corporate sales and budget reporting using Business Objects. Created all sales projections with input from Sales team. Implemented opportunity and risk assessment and the P & L projection review process, conducted monthly with Finance
Debra Glassburn is a Partner with Columbus Consulting International LLC. She has been consulting for the past 10 years and has over 35 years of retail experience, predominantly in Merchandise and Store Planning and Allocation and Replenishment in addition to Store Operations and Finance. Her responsibilities have included numerous implementations, extensive change management, training, managing large organizations and instilling common processes across multiple teams in conjunction with systems.
Experience
J.C. Penney - Various Vice President, Director of P&A and Direct Inventory roles
Victoria's Secret Stores - Various Director roles in Financial Planning, Store Administration, Merchandise Planning & Control, Inventory Manager
Elizabeth Elliott is a Partner at Columbus Consulting and an accomplished retail executive with a proven track record of successfully leading and implementing large complex initiatives, while diving in deep and driving business process, change management, and ensuring people, process, culture and technology are aligned to deliver sustained results. Respected for leadership and change management skills, and ability to develop highly effective project teams capable of executing integrated process and systems initiatives. Strong ability to influence and build collaborative relationships across all functions of an organization, driving buy-in and ownership of strategic initiatives while managing day-to-day operations. Elizabeth's expertise includes Omni planning, supply chain functions, marketing operations, merchandising, allocation and inventory management.
Job Titles:
- Various Vice President, Director of P & a and Direct Inventory Roles
Responsible for merchandise/store planning and allocation/replenishment of Men's and Children's. Key member of JCP centralization process - drove major change management initiatives including merchandise/store planning, seasonal/assortment planning and transitions to new P& systems
Job Titles:
- Company - SVP, Planning & Allocation
Held numerous leadership roles in Divisional and Corporate Planning and Allocation. Advanced to the Head of Planning and Allocation for the company and joining the JCPenney Leadership Team. Led the successful implementation of Oracle MFP and JDA Allocation.
Jon Beck is the CEO of Columbus Consulting. Jon is a retail specialist with over 25 years of experience working with retail, wholesale and manufacturing companies focused on improving corporate performance through better planning, execution and analysis. A highly motivated business consultant with broad global experience. Jon has successfully designed and implemented solutions for nearly 100 clients, spanning apparel, footwear and hard lines.
Prior to joining Columbus Consulting, Jon had his own consulting firm as well as being employed at Comshare, Planalytics and Predictix. Through these experiences, Jon was involved in the design, development and implementation of many of today's industry-leading planning and allocation software solutions, making him one of the most renowned experts in the industry.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Partner
- Board Chair With
Kate Gorman is a Partner and Board Chair with Columbus Consulting. Kate is a senior level executive with over 25 years of experience in the retail industry. She has extensive leadership and practical experience in retail management, retail consulting and retail software development. She is a proven executive delivering bottom line growth through hands on management of core disciplines including sales operations, marketing, buying, inventory control, business intelligence, logistics and business process development.
Kate's direct experience in retail, consulting and software strategy give her unique insights and expertise in delivering solutions that add value and improved results. Prior to joining Columbus, Kate was most recently Executive General Manager for JR/Duty Free in Australia/New Zealand. In this role she was responsible for the growth of the organization from a start up to the leading Duty Free retailer in the region and was directly accountable for the EBIT results. In the decade before joining JR/Duty Free, Kate held leadership positions at ThinkFast Consulting, Retek and JDA, specializing in product strategy and solution development in merchandise planning, assortment planning, allocation, replenishment and business intelligence
Job Titles:
- Expert / Senior Consultant
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Senior Business Analyst & UAT Lead
Donna Remillard is an Alliance with Columbus Consulting, specializing in Allocation, Replenishment & Demand Forecasting, Ecommerce, CRM & Business Intelligence/Analytics for retailers. Donna has 25+ years of experience in the retail industry delivering solutions through new design and development as well as system selection and integration of existing solutions. Donna consults with many well-known retailers to assist in key projects through business analysis, project management, and change management to ensure successful implementation of business strategies and systems. Prior to joining Columbus, Donna spent over 14 years designing, developing and implementing ERP solutions for STS Systems (now Aptos Retail) followed by 10 years doing the same in the Ecommerce and CRM space. Donna began her career on the technical side as a developer and then quickly moved over to the business side as business analyst, then grew to hold several management positions prior to joining Columbus.
Experience
Ascena Retail Group - Senior Business Analyst & UAT Lead
Designed, implemented and supported rollout of a global Allocation & Replenishment solution across multiple brands (i.e. Justice, Lane Bryant, Anne Taylor, Maurices), including partnering with individual brand business teams for testing, training and change management to ensure successful implementation and adoption
Destination Maternity - Senior Business Analyst & UAT Lead
Partnered with business team and vendor implementation team to define business processes, business requirements and solution design to implement JDA Allocation software for multiple brands across owned and leased stores
Michael Kors - Senior Business Analyst & UAT Lead
Developed business requirements and functional design to implement JDA Allocation across global regions, supported development efforts, owned the creation and execution of all SIT/UAT efforts
Job Titles:
- Outlets - SVP Planning & Allocation
Oversaw design and implementation of Buy Tool and related business process design and change management for a $1.2B outlet business
Job Titles:
- Senior Director ERP PMO
- Senior Director Global Business Process
- Vice President Global Enterprise Information Management ( EIM )
Responsible for managing the Ralph Lauren project management areas for implementation of SAP. Included 3 Phase deployment starting with Finance and Human Resources for North America, then Global Order to Cash and Procure to Pay processes and EU implementation
Managed the successful implementations for the Finance and POS components of Europe, Japan and Asia projects
Supported e-commerce integration with third party vendor and ongoing e-commerce initiatives
Supported strategic initiatives by providing short term and long term solutions including a full analysis on alternatives, business justification, scope, business requirements, projects plans and business impact
Richard Pedott is a Partner with Columbus Consulting. Rich has over 34 years of experience across multiple functional disciplines including: Planning and Allocation, Sourcing, Supply Chain Management, and Store Operations. He has led strategy, process, and systems development initiatives at several leading US and International Retailers and has a track record of successful implementations that deliver bottom-line results. He is the co-author of "Omni-Channel Retailing: How to Build a Practical, Effective Plan of Action". His areas of expertise include Omni-Channel, Assortment Planning, Merchandise Planning, Product Lifecycle Management, Allocation, and Supply Chain. He was most recently the Chief Executive of the Retail, Direct-to-Consumer, and Wholesale operation for The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Job Titles:
- Board Advisor
- Founder
- Managing Partner
Rick Amari is the founder of Columbus Consulting. Rick retired in 2020 but continues to assist the board and our Strategic IT practice. Rick experienced many roles and opportunities in his near 40 year career in retail.
Prior to founding Columbus, Rick held various positions over a 12-year career with L Brands (formerly The Limited/Limited Brands) including CIO at Victoria's Secret Stores and Group CIO with responsibility for the Information Technology functions at Express, Lane Bryant, Limited Stores, Limited Too, and Lerner NY. Rick spent 9 years in both Information Systems and General Management leadership positions at Food City Stores in Virginia during the 80's. Rick began his career with the Management Consulting Division of Arthur Andersen, which has become Accenture.
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Expert / Senior Consultant / Programme Lead
Deliver full master data management project across the business & wholesale business optimisation
Perform vendor selection for allocation & replenishment •Deliver a critical path including clear RACI, master data management and change management •Perform a healthcheck around people, process, data and technology for the wholesale business
Job Titles:
- LLC - Business Analyst
- System Configuration Analyst
Lead configuration resource for JDA Enterprise Planning implementation. Responsible for designing business rules to support integration of Corporate Merchandise Planning, Financial Planning and Forecasting, Merchandise Planning, Store Planning and Wholesale Account Planning. Required to work closely with project managers to ensure successful delivery of all project phases