Provides merchandising decision support to Market Vice President and District Managers for 250 stores in the Chicago South Market with total revenues of $2B. Merchandising decision support includes manage merchandise assortment, local and market area promotions, DSD negotiations and new product introductions. Analyzes sales trends, develop plans, and utilize merchandising strategies in order to increase sales volume. Used historical sales volume to predict future purchasing requirements in order to maximize sales. Lead local assortment planning and procurement to find locally relevant products. Drive sales through ad planning and reduce local product inventory through vendor consolidation which results in cost savings. Negotiate lower cost of goods by leveraging scale across the market. Specialize in managing diverse vendor relationships for consumables and ethnic haircare/skincare products.

Responsible for a store with $9 million in annual sales. Manage associates who merchandize home décor and domestics, hardlines and apparel. Develop creative plans to increase sales volume that includes arrangement of seasonal and flex department merchandise which led to receiving district recognition. Oversee and monitor shrink reduction plans. Prepare and administer associate performance reviews annually. Hire, train, supervise and motivate a team of 50+ full and part-time associates. Recognized as Executive of the quarter 2012.

Responsible for sales volume up to $89 million within several district areas totaling more than 50 stores. Communicated potential barriers to store openings and remodeling efforts; including insufficient or damaged store fixtures, in-stock issues, and planogram integrity. Facilitated execution at store levelof corporate directed programs to enhance the Target brand. Ensured store compliance with vendor programs. Met with district and store team leaders monthly and quarterly to discuss trends, review sales volumes, and to designate focus stores. Developed process improvement strategies for the entertainment department staff to implement; leading to increases in sales volume.

Assisted store team leader by providing interim leadership of the assistant store team leaders’ daily activities. Also supported the store team leader with the review of payroll and other operating expenses. Oversaw nightly stock replenishment and merchandise display changes by the logistics and planogram teams. Responsible for planning staff activities, communicated daily objectives to staff, and followed up on staff progress to ensure objectives were met.

Managed operations for an urban market store with $6 million in sales volume. Supervised store operations including opening/closing, financial controls and employee management. Supervised employees who planned and implemented merchandise sets and resets. Increased sales by motivating employees through shared vision and tracking results, maintained store budgetary expenses and payroll to affect gross margin. Managed inventory in stock levels through appropriate ordering of basic and promotional products. Developed employees thorough understanding of merchandising by educating them on merchandise placement and products needed for optimal sales. Developed and coached employees through written and oral communications. Mentored and developed three employees, which were subsequently promoted into management and store manager positions.