Mike Valente Email & Phone Number

Serve as a top consultant within the retail and natural foods industry, providing clients with expert advice on designing, building, remodeling, and/or operating co-op food businesses and establishing grocery stores throughout the country. Fill a wide range of interim roles, as necessary including Project Manager, Interim General Manager , Store Director, and Chief Executive Officer. Recognized for consistent success in launching new startups and turning around distressed operations for owners and investors. +5yrs - GM/CEO for businesses such as Good Earth Food,, Harvest Moon, Bisman Food, Renaissance, & other Co-ops/Independents.+5yrs - Store Build Development for businesses such as Good Earth, Renaissance, Central Co-op, & Harvest Market Co-ops+12yrs - Consulting+20yrs - Store DirectorKey projects include:• Successfully turned around the Bisman Community Food Co-op in Bismarck, ND, which was in debt to vendors and had a negative cash flow—restoring it to industry standards, which suggest that a co-op must maintain a minimum 45 days cash on hand in order to survive and prosper. • Hired with the threat of the Harvest Moon Food Co-op in Long Lake, MN might close due to negative 7 days cash flow and an over-leveraged situation; after reviewing the state of the store, proposed plan to ownership to turn the store around, restoring it to profitability and putting sustainable measures in place that have led to the store’s successful and continued operation to this very day.Specific consulting areas:Category Management; Merchandising; Budgeting & Margin Improvement; Pricing Restructuring; Monitor Financials and Advise; Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); Staff Hiring, Compliance Assessments (health, safety, cleanliness, codes, labels, licenses, staff, etc...); Location & Growth Assessment; Store Assessment; Basic Layout Plans; Serving as Trusted Advisor to the Boards & Ownership TeamsIf interested: michaelvalente56@gmail.com or call me at 618-381-3408!

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Us

Assure the effective and profitable operation of the assigned retail store including the development of all hosts assigned to that store. To actively pursue self-development and proficiency in the skills necessary to be assigned as senior co-manager.Assists the store manager in implementing an in-store sales-building culture that ensures growth through: execution of company merchandising programs and weekly sales plans in each department, planning and executing weekly sales themes, ensuring in-stock conditions throughout the store and actively participates in weekly sales meetings.Provides for desired levels of guest satisfaction, courtesy and service throughout the store.Accountable for achieving budgeted financial results in assigned area of responsibility and assists store manager in achieving total store results.Effectively controls store variable expenses, including achieving budgeted wage percent.Assists in the staffing of the store, including forecasting of needs, recruitment and training. Additionally, builds a talent planning bench for the store, including developing and executing development plans for all hi-potential and promotable individuals.Ensures direct reports understand expectations for performance, holds them accountable to achieve budgeted results.Effectively trains and develops store management team, especially department managers, to ensure Lowes Foods has the necessary bench for our growth. Acts as a resource for these leaders in their roles.Ensures sanitation and food safety standards are maintained throughout the store (as measured through internal and external sources).Creates an atmosphere that ensures positive store morale through effective supervisory treatment and recognition. The workforce should be enthusiastic, guest focused and embedded in a selling culture.

Greensboro, Nc, Us

Store ambassador and leading example of exemplary hospitality to our guests and team members. Responsible for providing extraordinary service and for ensuring that all team members do the same. Accountable for driving success at your store and helping The Fresh Market to sustain growth. Educate team members and guests on products and services to provide convenient meal solutionsWork with Department Managers and Store Manager to ensure that all key operational processes and merchandising plans are consistently executedDrive success by analyzing sales reports, P&L reports, and other metrics to establish and execute the action planEstablish and maintain open effective lines of communication with all team members and upper management, ensuring transparency at all levelsForecast and maintain store teams by collaborating with Talent Acquisition in the sourcing, selecting, and hiring of new team membersTrain, develop and coach Department Managers and team membersTeach Managers how to manage and merchandise The Fresh Market products, drive financial metrics, and train and engage all team membersCoach all team members how to optimize operations, further team development, and increase retentionMotivate team members to educate themselves and others about product uses and characteristics utilizing The Fresh Market Academy with the goal of increasing retention and enhancing professional growthPartner with the Guest Services Manager provide team members a hospitable orientation and onboarding experienceManage the store, the inventories, and the teams for minimization of product lossEnsure that your team members are adhering to The Fresh Market standards and policiesEngage with your local community whether it is for weekly sales or special holiday offeringsEnsure department adherence to all safety requirements and protocols including food safety, sanitation, and risk practices per TFM policies, and per law

Greensboro, Nc, Us

Direct, manage and assist all functions of the coffee service department, and support and assist within the other areas within the concept, including but not limited to smoothies, beer and wine and our biscuit station and demonstrate excellence to our team and guests.Engage with our guests to learn their flavor preferences so that you can help match their order to what they prefer.Educate our guests and team members on our proprietary roasting process and each type of coffee bean/blend we offer to ensure they receive the coffee drink they expect or discover a new favorite.Ensure excellent product is ready for our guests by inspecting our products for proper rotation, cleaning, sanitation procedures, completing reports as necessaryManage order guides/ordering deadlines to ensure product is in stockManage product to reduce shrink/damageAdvise and coordinate with the Kitchen Manager to schedule team members in line with guest shopping patterns.Trouble-shoot and take partnership to ensure full functionality of all equipment for our coffee experience.Execute outstanding merchandising of the coffee station ensuring outstanding quality, and visual presentation for our guests and team.Coach and cross train other team members on the use of equipment, storytelling and engagement with our guests during service.Provide team members thorough training through The Fresh Market Academy, including “on-the-job” and online training, to provide impeccable guest service in a safe and secure manner while maintaining efficiency and minimizing product lossLead, engage, motivate and manage team members to provide excellent guest serviceProvide coaching for team members to further their product knowledge and development and increase retention

Seattle, Washington, Us

Recruited by this high-profile cooperative grocery to turn around a distressed operation, initially serving as a Consulting Project Manager before eventually taking on full Store Director responsibility. • Played key role in re-designing the store and supervising the construction/engineering aspects of the project from start to finish, completing construction within the original budget despite overruns in spending by predecessor. Subsequently rescued the operational budget in the smaller-sized store from losing up to $100,000 monthly, making critical changes needed to generate a positive cash flow, operational profitability, and exceed all key performance indicators (KPIs). • Extensively involved in procuring all necessary equipment, negotiating with vendors and accounts, reducing overhead by increasing efficiencies, and implementing blended margining and threshold pricing while remaining price competitive.• Championed efforts to create a highly engaged store culture and present a positive, productive image to the local community—retraining, developing, and motivating staff at all levels to achieve higher operational performance and ensure all guests had a superior customer experience.

As General Manager of the Renaissance Community Co-op, to my knowledge, this is a one of a kind Conventional Grocery Store. This location had been a food desert for 18+ years, and after the community sought to get some of the chain stores to move in with no luck, they organized, decided to open their own Grocery Store, and raised the Owners and raised the money! I am proud to be part of this movement, and part of getting this store built and up and running. My years of experience on both sides of the fence have proven useful in blending these two cultures and business models into a special kind of Grocery Store. This has been an exciting adventure!

Christchurch, Canterbury, Nz

Led, managed and developed store operations and team members to execute best practices and maximize sales and profitability. Increased guest confidence and loyalty to Schuette's Market SuperValue by promoting consistent operating conditions, ensuring courteous and prompt service in a friendly atmosphere.

Achieved budgeted financial and operational results for Yes! Organic Markets. Maximized store sales and profitability by ensuring the execution of promotional and merchandising programs in accordance with company directives. Developed store team to ensure consistent execution of standard practices and other policies & procedures. Served as a model for customer service and other vital behaviors, and instilled this value in all associates. Played instrumental roles in corporate purchasing, category management, and sales flyer building and formatting. Reset several stores to maximize profitability and enhance customer shopping experiences.

Richmond, Virginia, Us

Worked to improve and maximize company goals by procuring new natural items into the Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market. Modified layout and category management of products to stimulate sales growth, and customer convenience. Negotiated deals with vendors, brokers, distributors and traveled to food shows to offer strong and competitive price points for both everyday low pricing and assertive ad marketing & pricing strategies. Managed center store departments to include Grocery, Frozen, Dairy, and Bulk, ensuring they are operating at peak performance and provided continual training to assist in department success and profitability. Oversaw total store inventory management. Acted as INFRA ambassador for Ellwood Thompson's Local Market.

Salisbury, North Carolina, Us

Achieved budgeted financial and operational results for an assigned Food Lion store. Maximized store sales and profitability by ensuring the execution of promotional and merchandising programs in accordance with Store Support Center (SSC) plans. Developed store management team to ensure consistent execution of standard practices and other policies & procedures. Served as a model for customer service and other vital behaviors, and instilled this value in all associates. Created an environment for continual learning and encourages an open dialogue among associates. Provided leadership and motivation within the store to promote a culture reflective of Food Lion’s guiding principles, core values, and vision.