Michael Eckhardt Email & Phone Number

I am a results-driven Visual Merchandising Operations Manager with 25+ years of progressive experience driving sales and enhancing the customer experience across all product categories. I am currently seeking my next opportunity and can be reached at mjeckhardt@icloud.com

Akron, Ohio, Us

Led all Visual aspects of New Store Openings and Major Projects for 4 Banners; KAY, Zales, Peoples and Banter by Piercing Pagoda.• Collaborated with Design Team on Store finish out details and Fixture Layout.• Partnered with Allocation and Planning to develop Store Merchandise Assortment based on Sales Proforma and physical size of store.• Oversaw and wrote Purchase Orders for Display Elements and Components.• Established the Merchandise Placement Flow and Floorplan Layout for Store.• Partnered with Store Operations to support Visual aspect of the New Store Openings and Major Projects.

Fort Worth, Texas, Us

Led a team to maximize sales and reduce expenses in 1,000+ stores. Developed and executed visual merchandising training for Regional Managers across the U.S. and Canada. Ensured execution of quarterly visual merchandising tools and standards to be executed by 1,000+ stores through communication, training and support.• Partnered in the development of a new floorplan design based on customer research and surveys. Managed and led the rollout of the new floorplan prototype design.• Collaborated with the Manager of Workload to develop a strategy to execute and complete all visual merchandising tasks, including allocation of Payroll hours.• Led the Closing Store process of 480 Stores, supervised Project Manager and managed Third Party Vendor.• Partnered in the development and rollout of a new merchandise freight flow strategy, maximized payroll hours and expenses associated with freight.• Developed and led strategy to eliminate storage units across organization, resulting in a cost savings of $500,000 annually.

Fort Worth, Texas, Us

Oversaw sales and visual merchandising standards for 1,000+ stores in the U.S. and Canada. Managed the execution of quarterly visual merchandising tools across all stores, varying in size from 4,000 to 20,000 square feet, and across all product categories, including Furniture and Shelf Goods. Traveled frequently with Executives, Divisional Directors and Regional Managers and ensured open dialogue between field sales operations and corporate marketing. Partnered with visual merchandising teams to relay status of programs, promotions and sales. Allocated new fixture budget and fixture remnants.• Led the New Store Opening and Remodel process of 100+ stores. Recruited, developed and supervised a team of 4-6 Pier 1 associates and managed the relationship with the Third Party Vendor.• Directed a $4M new floorplan and fixture upgrade project at accelerated performance stores – strategizing store selection, coordinating with the vendor-installer, and supporting store management during transition.• Created and executed a comprehensive Visual Merchandising Training Module to train 20,000+ store leadership team members and associates, helping offset the elimination of Field Visual Merchandisers.• Targeted underperforming stores for improvement, achieving higher than average annual sales gains over a two year period.• Created and developed a store-level Visual Merchandising Associate Manager position for high volume Flagship Stores. Recruited, developed and supervised 3-4 associates.• Produced high-visibility merchandising presentations for Annual Shareholder and Investor Meetings and Walk-Throughs, Annual Gift Show, Corporate Office Open House and Annual Field Leadership Meetings.

Fort Worth, Texas, Us

Fort Worth, Texas, Us

Fort Worth, Texas, Us

Fort Worth, Texas, Us

Fort Worth, Texas, Us