Brian Ruiz Email & Phone Number

Parkville, Missouri, United States

Identifies business opportunities through innovative, creative ideas and researchCollaborates with key leaders and stakeholders to spark and implement improvement projectsBuilds sales plans and forecasts that drive revenue and uncovers opportunities for savingsAnalyzes data strategically and develops reports that enable action and drive performance

Lenexa, Kansas, United States

Led team of 50+ warehouse employees to receive and stock total company inventory, and pick and pack orders for customer fulfillmentStreamlined all procedures and processes in a warehouse to optimize efficiency and productivityManaged a budget in order to match payroll and supply need concurrent with fluctuating demandCoordinated routine maintenance and facilitated repairs of company property

Lenexa, Kansas, United States

Victorian Trading Company is a lifestyle brand based in Lenexa, KS. VTC offers customers a wide range of Victorian-era themed merchandise including apparel, home decor, furniture, and seasonal items.Primary Duties: Forecasting demand for product, submitting purchase orders, resolving product issues, vendor relations, and ensuring product arrives on time and in line with company standards.Accomplishments:- Achieved 100% accuracy in ordering the right items for all of the company's 14 catalogs- Recouped over $15k back to VTC through research and follow up due to supplier errors, shortages, and damages- Saved over $30k in product overages by analyzing slower than expected sales and canceling orders- Researched and spotted low margin items and then collaborated with stakeholders to ensure accurate shipping and product costs and revised pricing as necessary

Leawood, Ks

DEMDACO is a gift and home decor company based in Leawood, KS. Under the DEMDACO brand, product categories include Gifts, Home Decor, Entertaining, Fashion, Baby, and Willow Tree.Primary Duties: Budgeting and forecasting, daily, weekly, and monthly reporting, financial insight and consulting for company projects, and ad hoc analysis.Accomplishments:- Built proformas to evaluate profitability levels and deliver expert recommendations to management - Utilized Excel, Oracle, Cognos, and Vena software to find, extract, and manipulate data- Created a monthly scorecard of KPIs and maintained it by gathering relevant data from multiple sources- Recognized during a company wide meeting for valuable contributions made via analysis and consulting throughout the process of opening a new retail store

Clayton, Missouri

Straub's Fine Grocers is a specialty food retailer headquartered in downtown Clayton, Missouri and features four locations in the St. Louis area.Primary Duties: Planning and directing the day-to-day responsibilities of the store in order to maximize profitability and ensure excellent customer service. Daily responsibilities included team building, conflict management, hiring, firing, recruiting, merchandising, inventory management, logistics, etc.Accomplishments:- Led a team of 75 employees and managed total store operations at Straub's Fine Grocers highest volume store.- Increased sales by 5% year over year by promoting a high level of customer service, commanding high employee productivity, and ensuring smooth and efficient operations management- Decreased labor expenses by 3% through detailed analysis, budgeting, and forecasting- Cut supply expenses by 8% through improvement of processes, accountability, and consistency- Created a successful "BBQ Thursdays" program that netted an additional $1K in weekly sales

Manchester, Mo

Costco Wholesale is a members-only warehouse selling a wide variety of items including bulk groceries, electronics & more.Primary Duties: Setting the merchandise direction and strategy in order to ensure maximization of sales, margins, and inventory turnover.Accomplishments:- Led a team of over 10 employees to achieve daily objectives with firm deadlines. - Reduced inventory space usage by 40% through detailed analysis, plan creation, and team collaboration- Increased employee productivity by 25% through daily coaching, goal setting, and establishment of a positive, competitive atmosphere

Greater St. Louis Area

Primary Duties: Developing, coaching, and directing both the membership and marketing teams in order to maximize new membership accounts and added membership services and programs. Accomplishments:- Minimized and cut refund errors by 50% by holding employees accountable to the company's policies and procedures- Selected as a Sales Trainer for the Midwest Region due to high performance in company benchmarks- Created a truckload copy paper sales program that added over $250K in additional sales during my tenure

Greater St. Louis

Primary Duties: Overseeing employees, coordinating tasks and activities, and upholding standards of the business in various departments - Front End, Membership, and Photo Lab.Accomplishments:- Created tracking and productivity spreadsheets and then used them to gauge and enhance employee performance- Increased weekly photo lab sales by 20% through direct marketing to local photographers

Greater St. Louis

Primary Duties: Researching and targeting local businesses in order to create new business membership accounts and increase revenue through added volume sales.Accomplishments:- Highest volume sales producer among a team of eight marketing representatives- Utilized high attention to detail, organizational skills, and disciplined follow up to attain new customers as well as service existing customers- Promoted to a Seasonal Front End Supervisor after 6 months with the company

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business Administration And Management, General

4.0 GPA

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Psychology

Activities and Societies: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Spanish Club, Campus PALS, Costa Rica Study Abroad Program, Intramural Sports