Chris Hager Email & Phone Number

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

• Manage competitive pricing intelligence database while applying learnings to internal pricing and assortment
• Oversee closeout and seasonal markdown programs, delivering incremental COGS relief while driving incremental GM $ upside
• Implemented strategic promotional calendar, aligning a cross-functional team of Merchandising, Creative, E-Commerce and Inventory in a common goal to drive incremental sales across categories
• Manage team of up to six direct reports and provide coaching and performance feedback to drive employee engagement and development

Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Designed cohesive and innovative storage and organization assortment strategy; resulting in a 52% YOY sales comp
• Negotiated cost reductions and increases to product margins with external vendor partners to maintain profitability amongst competitive and internal margin pressures
• Identified and launched garage storage growth strategy by implementing over 300 unique skus; resulting in $5M+ in incremental sales within the first year
• Led cross-functional team of Merchandise Experts, Store Operations and Inventory Flow teams to execute Store Pick-Up strategy, delivering a 3x YOY sales lift
• Facilitated feedback culture, promoting clear lines of communication with direct report allowing free flow of information and leading to continual development conversations

• Led end to end re-invention of stores Instock Research Process and Z-Date calculation, resulting in an estimated re-allocation of $500k payroll and 30k workload hours.
• Developed and launched a proactive inventory adjustment process for stores impacted by changes to their competitive landscape, protecting sales volatility of up to (+/-) 20%.
• Analyzed mySupport trends in order to design a quarterly stores recap that improved MP engagement and their ability to better proactively support YOY segmented instock opportunities – initial impacts will annualize Q3.
• Launched SHM re-modeling tool and process to increase inventory allocation effectiveness at Non-Mature stores; impacted stores saw sales volatility upwards of 15% to original projections.
• Delivered 80 bps instock improvement and 4% mature in R200 through best in class store response and partnership.
• Drove heightened awareness and development of Home pyramid segmentation strategies through increased accountability across division and department captains.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Managed the purchasing and allocation of more than 500 skus, representing +$120M in annual inventory, to 26 distribution centers and 1780 Target stores.
• Developed innovative collegiate color segmentation strategy to assist merchants in capitalizing on “Back to College” season, resulting in two endcaps driving more than $4M of incremental sales.
• Received Senior Vice President’s award for driving excellent in-season reaction/execution in the Fans/ACs business resulting in green season instocks and supporting $1M in planned sales upside.
• Re-invented Home pyramid Merchandise Planning on-boarding strategy to increase focus on development of trainees and future mentors, designed, created and launched web page to enhance sustainability of process.

St. Paul, MN

• Coached team of seven Route Sales Representatives while developing portfolio of more than 700 accounts and +$4M in annual revenues.
• Mentored Route Sales Representatives to develop best in class service standards, sales tactics and closing techniques, leading to YOY increases in customer retention, annual revenue and route profitability.
• Negotiated renewal terms and product pricing for all accounts in Twin Cities southern metro area.
• Led all St. Paul branch Route Managers with $32K in direct sales revenue during Fiscal 2010.
• Maintained annual service and repair budget for all 26 vehicles in St. Paul fleet.

• Developed and executed innovative marketing campaigns for strategic advertising partners
• Drove awareness and exposure for key brands by identifying target markets and implementing guerilla, social media, print and interactive marketing campaigns.
• Selected as a Top 5 marketing team nationally by Sports Illustrated and Time Inc.

Bsba, Marketing

Activities and Societies: Sigma Phi Epsilon, New Student Enrollment Team, Chancellor's Leadership Class, Association of Students at the.

International Economics

Nebraska at Oxford Program