Chris Samples Email & Phone Number

Glen Ridge, NJ, US

San Francisco, CA, US

Englewood, Colorado, US

• Retained by a private equity firm to lead expansion and improve performance of a regional swim school brand;
• Enhanced profitability, achieving 15%+ increase into average annual sales including a positive EBITDA contribution and a 16%+ vs yearly average in customer satisfaction scores within the first three months by creating.
• Built pipeline for hiring and retaining top talent by re-tailored staffing organization charts, job descriptions, interview guidelines and succession planning to retain and build great talent. Coached and developed.
• Grew the topline business, driving 13%+ vs. yearly average in new customer enrollment and conversion by retooling online and in-person marketing events.
• Spear-headed expansion opportunities by building Pro Forma financial statements for new locations along the East Coast to illustrate potential profitability and inform rollout decisions.

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GB

• Directed strategy for all US retail locations with 6 direct reports and over 800 employees including management of cross-functional department leaders, talent acquisition, and visual merchandising.
• Designed and implemented comprehensive pricing, merchandising, and customer experience strategies leveraging analysis of market conditions, competitor alignment, and popularity to adjust pricing, update weekly visual.
• Consistent over-achievement KPI benchmarks and P&L EBITDA by reducing costs and providing a best-in-class customer service orientation and training.
• Created and implemented position-based payroll structure, time-based stock replenishment and visual merchandising best practices, and leader-executed store standards, reducing cost-to-sales ratio by up to 17%.
• Transformed talent acquisition and retention by hiring and training talent lead, revising interview guide, introducing on-campus recruiting, remodeling orientation, and enhancing leadership development.
• Planned and executed store events to increase foot traffic which increased quarterly footfall by as much as 18%.

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GB

Columbus, OH, US

• Oversaw day-to-day store operations and assessed performances of an average of 25 full-time and 300 part-time employees.
• Trained and developed future multi-unit managers and corporate employees to assume greater responsibilities and more functions within the company.
• Provided intel with cross-functioning departments on topics such as; management alignment, merchandise logistics, inventory allocation, business trends, competitor research, global promotions and local health & safety.
• Managed the highest grossing stores in the company; New York City flagship, Tokyo flagship, Singapore flagship, Hong Kong flagship, Seoul flagship as well as an accoutrement of chain and outlet stores both domestically.
• Responsible for training and promoting 4 district managers for Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong and London.
• Successfully opened 4 stores internationally (2 flagships, 1 chain store and 1 outlet).