Darren Whitehead Email & Phone Number

Fort Worth, Tx, Us

Fort Worth, Tx

Keller, Tx

The Fun Stop will be a specialty toy store selling unique, educational, nostalgic toys and games that will merge nostalgia and tech to serve the growth of children in a fun, positive environment.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

• Planned, developed and implemented the retail expansion of Cheaper Than Dirt, Inc (CTD)• Created and/or designed all aspects of store ie; layout, fixtures, uniforms, customer service counters, bags, baskets, along with processes and procedures• Managed the hiring and training of store management and associates• Implemented sound, proven retail processes into the daily function of Cheaper Than Dirt GUNS!• Developed monthly budget expectations with input from senior management• Consulted with store management to develop sales plans and to maintain controllable expenses within budget• Reviewed store teams adherence to company standards, directives, price maintenance, advertisement set and layout, plan-o-gram implementation and maintenance and shrink focus

Managed the sales ($114M), expenses, profit, labor, shrink and daily operations of 12 stores in Texas and ArkansasOversaw the quality of associate hiring, training and motivation of each store Communicated with all store managers daily on company metrics, task management, success factors and challengesTravelled to each store on a three week rotation monitoring adherence to company standards, directives, price maintenance, advertisement set and layout, plan-o-gram implementation and up-keep and shrink focus

HuntingResponsible for development and execution of regional product assortment for 55 southern stores in hunting related productsMet with Vendors to select merchandise, negotiated pricing, schedule of shipments and create selling strategy for all regional merchandiseDeveloped training, vendor promotions and in-store merchandising for all regional merchandiseWork with space management team to develop plan-o-gram spacing for all regional productWork with Marketing to ensure regionally relevant merchandise is advertised at the appropriate time

Purchased and managed lawn and garden, automotive and barbeque categoriesIncreased lawn and garden by 24%, automotive by 12%, and barbeque by 87%Scheduled employee hoursOpening and closing proceduresSupervised unloading of trucks, receiving paperwork, etc.

Independent Manufacturer Representative for 21 linesSet-up and ran two separate business models, one of which consisted of seven major sporting goods lines and the other consisting of fourteen toy and gift linesWorked with manufactures to develop programs for over 200 retailers in the Houston area

Team Sport, Outdoor Furniture, Indoor GamesIncreased team sports business from 20 million to 75 million with double digit increases every year.Developed Far East private label import program and managed inventoryDeveloped and implemented in-store informational catalog systemPlanned, managed, reviewed and approved all category advertisingPlanned and implemented numerous vendor specific special promotionsWorked with merchandising department to improve department store plan-o-gramsMet with vendors to select merchandise, purchase within open to buy parameters, negotiate price, schedule shipments and manage store stock levelsWorked with manufacturers to develop new productsSupervised and trained assistant buyers in buying proceduresTraveled extensively to manufacturers and overseas to view and discuss productsAttended trade shows to visit vendors and research new productsParticipated in departmental store visits to review products and to competitor stores to review competitive pricing

Fishing and MarineIncreased fishing/marine business on average 20% annuallyDeveloped and implemented premier fishing event "Meet the Pro" through vendor participation along with local and national fishing guides and celebrities Developed seminar procedure to bring leading manufacturer's and store associates together to learn product and sales skillsMet with vendors to select merchandise, purchase within open to buy parameters, negotiate price, schedule shipments and manage store stock levels

Formed and managed merchandising team for in store plan-o-grams and new store openingsDeveloped the plan-o-gram in store layout system

Scheduling employee hours, department heads and stockersOpening and closing proceduresDaily depositsSupervised unloading of trucks, receiving paperwork, etc

Schoffield Barracks, Hi

General Studies

Utilities Equipment Repair

General Studies

Activities and Societies: Soccer Team

Graduate, General

Activities and Societies: Soccer Team, HECE