ROOTS MVP OF THE MONTH
More than just being a highly popular figure at the Roots Head Office, Julie O'Neill is a master at what she does, even if it’s little understood by many people.
August 2006

Ask people at the Roots Head Office about Julie O'Neill, and you're sure to hear sincere superlatives from anyone who works with her. With her easy smile and even-keeled, extremely pleasant manner, Julie always brings a positive, team-oriented attitude to her job as Merchandise Manager in the Women's Department. Proactive with an unfailing sense of initiative, Julie never shies away from taking on new responsibilities.

But for all her attributes, Julie was selected as the latest Roots MVP of the Month for other reasons as well. In recent weeks, the results of her work have shown themselves in the particularly strong sales of the women's fall collection. Of course, others in the Women's wear also deserve credit. Jules Power, Senior Designer in Women's wear, plays a big part in this achievement having created the winning styles. Likewise Stephanie Briers (Graphic Artist), Nikki Kime (Senior Technician), and Yougin Lee (Technician) are also important players in the process.

Julie’s role is less understood by many people. In the general scheme of things in the fashion business, design is relatively easy to comprehend and more celebrated. Not so Julie’s function, which is just as critical to the success of sales. At a company like Roots that is at once a major manufacturer and retailer, Julie's well-honed buying skills are vital. She's responsible for assortment planning - deciding on the right quantities to order for each style, colour and size - pricing and meeting gross margin targets to ensure profitability and growth in the women's wear department.

“I love working with such a wide variety of great people and quality products,” says Julie. “I like the fact that I get to work with the different teams such as those in design, sourcing, and planning. This creates an environment that is both creative and analytical. I also love seeing results from the beginning of a product line to when it’s actually in the store selling.”

Julie joined Roots in early 2004 as an Assistant Buyer. A year later, she became Merchandise Buyer/Manager until taking on her current position in January 2005. Before coming to Roots, Julie worked at Northern Gateway as an Associate Buyer.

“Julie has this great ability to look at all angles of the business,” says Jarar Kazmi, Director of Merchandise, Purchasing and Flow, who works closely with her. “She’s always very proactive and determined when it comes to her goals and, most importantly, she gets along with everyone.”

The Roots headquarters in Toronto obviously agrees with her. “One of the great things about working at Roots is the energy in the office,” says Julie, who was born and grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and today lives in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. “The Roots Head Office is an exciting environment where every day is different and that makes things more interesting.”

Julie says that her biggest challenges in her work relate to time management -- juggling many tasks and deadlines in addition to solving day-to-day issues. But judging by her almost always calm, soothing manner, she never seems to let the pressure get to her.

“Julie has a great sense of initiative,” says Roots Co-Founder Don Green. “On several occasions, she’s stepped up to take on more responsibilities without hesitation. She does a meticulous job as a buyer and in merchandising Jules Power’s designs. She has shown what she’s made of by going the extra mile in her work, including on Special Projects. The excellent sales results of the fall women’s wear collection is, in no small part, directly connected to Julie’s work.”

Despite the myriad details and deadlines Julie must deal with, she somehow stays on top of the situation. No small task, especially given the number of products the women's wear department is producing each season. It's a tall order but Julie does it with brio and makes it look almost easy, season after season. It’s clearly the mark of a Roots MVP of the Month. - R.S.

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