John Hickman Email and Phone Number

Educator who worked closely with the merch leader weekly to come up with a weekly merch plan and helped lead the merch team when implementing. Showcased strong technical product knowledge when educating potential clients and maintained a high weekly ranking in both overall sales and weekly SPH.

• Managed and maintained wholesale distribution relationships with 34 high end retail stores including Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom’s making sure they were hitting their numbers, merchandising met company standards and inventory control• Traveled to all stores to conduct weekly meetings with Department Managers to discuss metrics, provide training sessions on how to sell the brand and to create and implement sales strategies to drive brand recognition and all stores are compliant with J Brand merchandising standards • Liaison between Account Executives and stores to discuss trends throughout the market to properly cater to individual store needs to ensure proper inventory to maximize on profits and marketing• Partnered with Management in the hiring and onboarding process and conduct knowledge seminars • Created, organized and ran quarterly events for 7 boutique stores throughout the country to help stores and employees drive sales, promotions and build books of business and create brand awareness

• Managed and ran sales and operations of 2nd highest volume store in company out of 22 stores • Partnered with Senior Management in the hiring, onboarding and development process for all Management and sales employees by conducting knowledge seminars and individual coaching to meet metric goals• Created and implemented sales training resulting in a 15% monthly increasing in payroll goals• Conducted weekly meetings with Visual and Stock Managers to discuss sales trends, merchandising and operations

• Hired to turn around a failing store and within 3 months store was #2 out of 48 stores and increased monthly sales by 25% becoming the model store company wide in all standards and operations• Collaborated with District Manager to create and launch new sales and service initiatives along with policies and procedures to maximize employee retention and increase sales for all stores• Partnered with the Visual Director to create, implement and redesign merchandising standards all stores need to adhere by• Assisted District Manager in the hiring, onboarding and development of new Managers throughout the district• Hired, trained and managed 15 employees while creating one of the top sales teams within the district• Received 4 KPI awards at national conference

• Collaborated with District Manager to create, launch and execute new sales and service initiatives along with policies and procedures to maximize employee retention and increase sales for all stores• Managed and oversaw Loss Prevention for 13 stores and ran weekly calls with managers to discuss operations, loss, fraud, rolled out new policies and producers and discussed best practices• Assisted District Manager in the hiring, onboarding and development of Management through the district• Hand selected to be part of the District Manager training program• Partnered with District Manager to create and develop a district wide development program for Assistant Managers and Key Holders to retain and promote internal talent

• Collaborated with leadership to open new retail location within 1 month by hiring, training and merchandising to be ready for grand opening• Partnered with leadership in creating a marketing strategy and promotional events by networking with local business, putting on private parties for clients, cold calling and putting on a soft and grand opening events• Within first month of grand opening store came under payroll budget by 2%• Assisted with daily sales, operations, coaching and development while assisting clients

• Created and implemented a new sales and training program which increased annual sales by 27% the first year and averaging 15% sales increase over last year each additional year• Partnered with District Manager with onboarding, training and developing new Managers • Collaborated with District Client Manager in creating, implementing and launching a new denim initiative program• Created and ran the Client Program for 18 stores ensuring stores are compliant and meeting client goals by running weekly calls with Store Managers• Hired, trained and managed 10 employees while creating one of the top sales teams within the district while exceeding inventory result expectations and turnover goals• Assisted with daily sales, operations, coaching and development while assisting clients