Promoted and relocated back to company headquarters to lead and grow group sales efforts targeting schools and teams.•Reported directly to the CEO and as a key member of the Executive Management team.•Participated in all business strategy and planning sessions for the company with 275 employees, 6 retail stores in Missouri, Illinois, and Michigan, and a large group sales business.•Directly led and managed a team of 35-40 employees that generated several million dollars in annual revenue from retail and group team/corporate apparel sales at locations in Missouri and Illinois.•Increased group sales revenue by 40% during the 5 years overseeing the division.•Oversaw the full HR cycle, including hiring, training, motivating, and annual performance evaluation. •Managed vendor relationships for decoration business for team apparel and corporate attire business which included negotiating terms and discount rates for screen printing, embroidery, and sublimation printing.

Promoted to manage all strategy and operations for a high-performing retail store in a growing community.• Led all day-to-day activities and vision in planning, implementing, and managing an 18,000 s.f. store with a team of 25 to 30 associates.• Co-managed and designed the build-out and floor plan for the new store; created store standard operating procedures and operated the store with strong business and financial acumen to achieve company objectives and goals.• Led a fast-paced, energetic environment that delivered an unsurpassed experience for team members and customers. • Consistently achieved planned goals by demonstrating team leadership skills, and executing strategic initiatives to reach aggressive business goals and operations excellence, while ensuring customer and employee satisfaction.• Oversaw all aspects of the store including Budgeting, Strategic Planning, Sales, Operations, Merchandising, Maintenance, Inventory, Shrink, Finance, Marketing, and Human Resources including recruiting, training, motivating and evaluating.

Selected to plan and execute an inventory liquidation sale for Rawlings, and open a new retail store in Springfield, Missouri.•Co-designed, planned, and opened a new 20,000 s.f. retail store in Springfield, Missouri in November 2009 while retaining ongoing management responsibilities for the St. Peters store; opened and oversaw store during first 30 days.•Co-managed and designed the buildout and floor plan for the new store; recruited, hired, oriented and trained the management team and retail sales associates on company policies, procedures, and customer service philosophy.•Selected by senior management team to develop, plan, and execute the first retail inventory liquidation event on behalf of Rawlings at a temporary location in Springfield from March to July 2009.

Promoted to assist in all aspects of operations of an 18,500 s.f. retail store.• Provided leadership and direction to a team of 20 sales associates to achieve company goals while creating a guest-first environment to promote sales, reduce shrink, and improve employee development.• Performed opening/closing procedures and sales floor leadership; managed the store in absence of the Store Manager.• Built strong and lasting customer relationships to create brand loyalty and maximize sales opportunities.• Consistently met and exceeded all key metrics, performing at a high level to achieve all targets and objectives.• Directly oversaw visual merchandising, floor sets, inventory levels, markdowns, and replenishment.• Created sales/marketing strategies to drive both sales and traffic to retail location without compromising profit margins.• Trained, developed, coached, mentored and evaluated store associates on retail merchandising, selling skills, relationship building, and proactive selling techniques; developed employee schedules to ensure appropriate sales floor coverage.

Provided knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient service to generate sales in a high-volume retail store.• Greeted and engaged with every customer to drive revenue and provide an exceptional client experience through relationship building, product knowledge sharing, and presenting a clean, safe, well-maintained store environment. • Processed sales/return transactions promptly & efficiently; executed and maintained visual merchandising presentations.• Consistently provided an exceptional client experience and achieved individual goals that supported store objectives.