Achieved several promotions to positions of increasing responsibility and accountability at a Fortune 500 company.; Oversee all day-to-day operations of a $5+ million dollar specialty retail establishment. Hire, train, manage, and mentor a team of over 60 employees to drive results and ensure the highest standards of customer service. Manage expenses and maximize profitability through Profit and Loss accountability and payroll management. Motivate staff to highest level of productivity.Generated customer service scores consistently in the top 20% of the company. Developed seven employees in three years for successful internal promotion, two of them to the position of General ManagerControlled expenses to finish under budget four years in a row.Established store as a district-wide inventory training location for 16 other stores.Attracted new customers to the store by establishing an employee-led monthly lecture series. Achieved Top 20 ranking in company for Average Dollars per Transaction during the 2009 holiday season.Oversaw a month-long store remodel to realign store to current sales needs.Selected as Monthly Store Service Award winner four times.Fostered mutually profitable relationships with external organizations Read!360, CCAC, Town Hall South, and Toys for Tots.

Responsible for driving sales through a team of sellers and supervisors. Created and executed monthly merchandising plan for store. Scheduled, organized, and executed in-store events in order to drive sales. Exceeded sales plan for two consecutive years.Partnered with local authors to purchase, create, and maintain a local interest section in the store.Responsible for corporate sales program that achieved 110% of annual sales goals.Withstood incursion of major competitor into local market.Successfully executed several major in-store events, including 2,000+ person events with Rachael Ray and Emeril Lagasse.

Oversaw the recruiting, hiring, and training processes. Responsible for maintaining the inventory process and physical center within the store. Managed the performance of 60+ employees through annual evaluations, performance discussions, and reward programs.Created weekly schedule to most effectively and efficiently utilize a staff of 60+ employees.Established a system for inventory returns that resulted in 100% compliance for the store and is still in use.Reduced annual loss for the store by almost 50% over the course of two years.