Marina Koval, MBA
About Marina Koval, MBA
Marina Koval, MBA, is a seasoned buyer specializing in closeouts and special events at Signet, where she has worked since 2017. With extensive experience in the retail sector, she has held various roles at Walmart and Zale Jewelers, contributing to significant improvements in sales and margin rates.
Current Role at Signet Jewelers
Marina Koval serves as a Buyer for Closeouts & Special Events at Signet Jewelers. She has held this position since 2017, contributing to the management of significant annual spend across 121 US outlets and 412 events annually in 135 Canadian retail locations. Her role involves developing sales strategies for trunk shows, focusing on curating unique assortments that emphasize higher retail prices, and empowering sales representatives to execute these strategies effectively.
Previous Experience at Signet Jewelers
Prior to her current role, Marina worked at Signet Jewelers as a Buyer for Gemstones & Metals from 2014 to 2017. During her tenure, she was responsible for sourcing and purchasing gemstones and metals, contributing to the company's product offerings in the jewelry sector. Her experience at Signet has provided her with a strong foundation in the jewelry industry.
Experience at Walmart
Marina Koval has extensive experience at Walmart, where she held multiple roles. She served as a Product Development Manager for Ladies Accessories & Junior Apparel from 2003 to 2006, and as a Buyer for Ladies Apparel from 2008 to 2009. Additionally, she worked as a Sourcing Manager for Sleepwear from 2006 to 2008 and as a Merchandise Planning Designer from 2002 to 2003. Her roles at Walmart involved product development, sourcing, and planning, which enhanced her skills in retail management.
Background and Education
Marina Koval holds an MBA from Webster University and a BSBA in Management and Marketing from Missouri Southern State University. She also studied International Management and Marketing at Pomorsk State University and earned a Certificate of Economics from Tromsø University College. Her educational background supports her expertise in retail and product management.
Achievements in Retail Management
Marina has demonstrated significant achievements in her retail management career. At Canadian Peoples Jewellers and Mappins, she grew special events from a negative 10% to a positive 20% comparable sales over six months, improving the gross margin rate by 1400 basis points. Additionally, she increased Zales' closeout business from a negative 15% to a positive 3% comparable sales in a similar timeframe, raising the margin rate by 100 basis points.