Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Announcement: Krista Collinson Joins LQ's Board



LQ is pleased to announce that Krista Collinson has accepted LQ’s invitation to join its Advisory Board


Krista Collinson serves as Vice President, Logistics, Ecommerce and Business Development, for Toysrus Canada. In this role, she works with the Canadian executive team on the development of short- and long-term logistics, supply chain and Omni-channel strategy for the business. She is recognized globally in the Toysrus family as being a key global leader in Omni channel, supply chain, technology and logistics, successfully leading the way for many countries, in new strategic initiatives within the company.

Krista is an accomplished professional, with over 20 years of retail experience.  She has proven track record of increasing revenues, profits and market share through savvy business and infrastructure initiatives.  Her deliberate approach to building businesses and managing infrastructure to support growth has been a key deliverable to EBITDA contribution over the years.

She has proven track record in Canada in the Omni channel space, building for the future and integrating within the retail business to delivering a best in class experience for customers.  She recognizes the impact of inefficiencies in the business as it impacts the most important part of the value chain, the customer. She has successfully started up an ecommerce business in Canada that continues to see double digit growth annually.  She has superior leadership skills, practiced in developing and managing cross-functional teams in complex businesses to meet customer needs.

Her most recent work included, opening a new Distribution Centre in Delta, Vancouver with a 3PL partner, supporting the growth of business, implemented strategic sourcing changes and overall changes to the replenishment model for retail stores in 2011 with a 3 month start-up of 180,000 square foot facility with full automation and WMS support.  The Omni channel growth in 2012 was supported with the opening of 55 store fulfillment operations across Canada building on to the network of the 3PL fulfillment centre for Ecommerce.

In the same year, Krista successfully led the transformation of supply chain automation and merchandise operations, moving the organization to demand driven supply chain methods in inventory management, forecasting and replenishment.   This included a full organizational change to a sales and operations planning model, with a customer centric approach to merchandise operations in the organization.  With the main deliverable of improving availability on shelf to consumers, changing order cycle times, while driving inventory investment out of the company and improving turns.
Krista is an avid fundraiser, supporter of giving back to communities and supporter of corporate sponsorship of social responsibility.  Krista is the Chair for Toysrus Golf Classic for the past five years, supporting the growth of charity event annually.  Krista has served on the Board of Directors for Starlight (Ont) from Feb 2012 to July 2013, also served as co-chair of their Gala Fundraising committee.

Krista is a Certified Management Accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Brock University.

About Toys“R”Us, Canada

Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd., is part of Toys "R" Us, Inc., the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer. Toys "R" Us, Canada operates nearly 70 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping, visit www.toysrus.ca and www.babiesrus.ca

About Toys“R”Us, Inc. 

Toys "R" Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 868 Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores in the United States, and in more than 520 international stores and over 200 licensed stores in 33 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com, FAO.com and babyuniverse.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys "R" Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need.


LQ's Board

As a resource for logisticians, academics and executives in other disciplines in the United States and Canada, LQ offers ideas for leadership in logistics, supply chain management and transportation, and provides a unique bridge between business, academia and practitioners. LQ’s Advisory Board and contributors afford authoritative thinking on the complex and fast-changing work of the logistics and supply chain management business - with a unique focus on best practices in the United States and Canada. LQ's Board plays a pivotal role in providing direction for LQ Magazine and LQ’s bi-annual Symposiums.