Retail

Introduction: Profile: I am a skilled motivational leader with a diverse background in human resources and multiunit management. Experience: * District Manager, Bealls Outlet; August 2013 to Present (7 months), Southwest Florida I maximize the sales and profit of assigned retail locations through leadership, sales management, training and development, execution of non-negotiable standards of operation, cost control, and asset protection. I focus on building and sustaining a work environment staffed with engaged, high-performing store managers who create a thrilling, consistent customer experience. The following are done: - Strategic business planning/operations - Create partnership with store managers to implement overall store action plans to drive key performance indicators (KPIs) and advance results around talent, operations, merchandising, financial and customer aspects of the business - Set clear goals and expectations for store managers and hold them accountable for their responsibilities and objectives - Develop weekly and monthly action plans and prioritize activities for the store - Knowledgeable in current policies, practices, trends, technology and information affecting the stores within the district and the organization - Ability to organize, delegate, prioritize, meet deadlines, hold field team accountable and follow up on all activities within the district - Personally model a positive customer experience during all store visits, ensuring the customer always take priority - Collaborate with loss prevention to champion shrink reduction programs and respond favorably to all shrink and safety opportunities - Effectively communicate with all levels of field management and home office - Communicate clearly, concisely and accurately in order to ensure effective operations at the store and district level - Actively manage succession planning with consistent attention to identifying, training and developing management candidates as well as maintain a fully staffed district through building bench strength - Influence talent development through effective coaching and counsel * District Sales Manager, Ross Stores; 2007 to 2013, Southwest Florida - Responsible for the operations of 15 stores with a combined sales volume of 135 million dollars of yearly sales - Turned troubled market from the bottom quartile to a top performer within 6 months by motivating store leaders to perform at a much higher level - Ranked as one of the top five district managers in the company for overall performance and contribution to sales for six years - Reduced loss consecutively and made a shortage plan for six years - Responsible for ensuring strategic internal and external candidate strength - Developed over 50 internal associates to management level - Opened 25 new stores from staffing to merchandising - Chosen to lead projects and new company initiatives * Regional Human Resource Manager, A.J. Wright (TJX Companies); 2003 to 2007, Framingham, MA - Provided employee relations support, including employee and management counseling and issues facilitation - Recruited and interviewed employees and advised on hiring decisions in accordance with policies and requirements that have been established in conjunction with top management - Reviewed and approved performance appraisals as well as counseled supervisors on writing reviews and warnings - Provided policy support and assisted with policy interpretation - Prepared and conducted training programs to all levels of employees which communicate established corporate practices and benefits (e.g., new hire orientation), legal requirements (e.g., union avoidance and sexual harassment) - Improved morale and productivity, limited job turnover, provided training opportunities to enhance skills and boost employees' satisfaction with their jobs and working conditions * District Sales Manager, A.J. Wright (TJX Companies); 1995 to 2003, Framingham, MA - Responsible for up to 14 stores and 110 million in yearly sales - Recruited store managers and built store talent - Provided training and development for store managers and assistant store managers - Successfully supervised 60 new store openings - Responsible for shrink reduction plans for the district, which resulted in the lowest shrink results in the company - Proven ability to motivate and develop staff at all levels - Coordinated the closing of four stores and restructuring of personnel - Hired, developed and promoted over 50 assistant managers to store managers and four store managers to district managers - Experience with apparel and hard lines merchandise * Store Manager, T.J. Maxx (TJX Companies); 1993 to 1995, Framingham, MA - Ensured that store presentation is consistent with company standards - Provided training and development for assistant store manager and associates - Managed store expenses and payroll to best address the needs of the business - Maintained communication with district/regional management to stay abreast of company initiatives - Managed over 20 new store openings * Regional Training Manager, Chess King; 1986 to 1993, New York, NY - Maintained good communications with HR to develop training classes as we needed them or replaced existing training that is obsolete - Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and enthusiastically in a work group or team - Interacted with district sales managers and regional managers to receive feedback on training initiatives and to ensure that training needs are met - Developed leaders' guides and trained the trainer programs for district sales managers and store managers who may be conducting training sessions with their respective teams Assistant Buyer, Albert Steiger; 1984-1986, Springfield, MA - Performed duties in connection with purchase and sale of merchandise to aid buyers - Verified quantity and quality of stock received from manufacturer and authorized payment of invoices or return of shipments - Approved advertising copy for newspapers - Interacted frequently with vendors to obtain prices and availability of merchandise - Maintained and updated product catalogs, vendor files, and price lists I graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.B.A. (Bachelor of Business Administration).