Samuel Willhite Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

Promoted to oversee every aspect of sales, operations, and talent management for 32 airport specialty retail (ex: Pandora, Brooks Brothers, Tech for Takeoff, PGA Tour, Shades of Time, Brighton Collectibles, and convenience (ex: CNBC, New York Times, TravelMart) stores in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Knoxville. Provide direct leadership to a team of 4 General Managers. Hire, train and develop General Managers in the areas of merchandising, visual presentation, expense control, and inventory integrity. Develop fiscal budgets, negotiate lease extensions, and identify local market trends.

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area, Charlotte North Carolina Area

As the General Manager I am in charge of overseeing the total operation of the Airport Shops on a daily basis.Communicates Company’s vision and provide direction to ensure alignment with the Company’s Mission jand Values. Oversee recruiting, hiring, training, and the development of staff into leadership positions. Develop and train staff on new programs and company initiatives. Communicate and support company policies & procedures to maintain high associate morale and motivation, and ensure an atmosphere of participative management. Assist in the development of sales, shortage, expense and profit goals. Maintain merchandise presentation and housekeeping standards in all selling areas in accordance with company policies. Coordinates sales promotion activities and direct associates in the presentation of merchandise. Monitor, order, and maintain adequate selling and non-selling supplies. Review store operations functions regularly to ensure maximum efficiency. Coordinate, direct, and communicate Loss Prevention & Safety Programs to protect company assets and ensure the safety and security of associates and customers. Plan, develop and implement organizational policies and goals. Supervise employees in sales work, taking of inventories, reconciling cash with sales receipts, keeping operating records, or preparing the daily record of transactions for corporate, or performs work of associates as needed. Coordinates the ordering and/or may personally purchase merchandise or prepares requisitions to replenish merchandise on hand. Ensures compliance of employees with established security, sales and record-keeping procedures and practices. Resolves customer's issues and inquiries. •Manager of the Year 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011•Manager of the Month March 2009, February 2010 •Achieved Operating profit 6 out of 7 years •Co-Chair on the Customer Service Council RDU •Concession Tenant of the Year 2005, 2008 •Certificate Of Appreciation 2004,2006 from RDU

Wilmington, North Carolina Area

• Proactively led the store to ensure achievement of business goals in revenue, expense, profitability, customer satisfaction, inventory shrinkage, and associate morale. • Selected, developed and managed performance from individuals and team, measured by appropriate performance reports/scorecard, retention, internal promotions, training completion and survey results. • Taught and lead ways to satisfy customers, found ways for them to say yes. • Personally support, coach and developed team members, created an environment where associates could be successful. • Demonstrated dependability with regard to attendance including training meeting, or Store walks • Ensured consistency of merchandising execution and operational processes within the store. • Handled and resolved all escalated customer issues. • Understood and communicated to Region Manager and Corporate staff competitive activities/trends in market and unique local market issues. • Lead and monitored profit drivers, solution selling, accessory attachments, inactive inventory, price change execution and point of sale reductions. • Consistently provided a sense of urgency to maintain store standards. • Executed business processes, which included paperwork, exchanges, price adjustments, and in all money collection procedures •Best Store Award based on Region•Best Customer Service Award•Best Place to Work

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

As a member of the store leadership team, I was responsible for coaching and training store personnel to achieve sales goals, as well as to ensure profitability through correct use of store systems/processes. Managed overall store when fulfilling the roles of manager on duty or sales leader ; overseeing store operations including customer service and administration; planning and managing merchandising, replenishment, product inventory, and loss prevention activities ; ensuring friendly, fast and accurate processing of all Best Buy customer transactions I was responsible for creating a healthy and positive work environment which drove employee engagement and retention.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Attain sales and profitability goals for store through effective use of short and long-range planning, expense management and inventory shortage control Assumed leadership and development role through effective total store communication, awareness of morale, staff development, and implementation of selling priorities Directed the recruiting efforts of the store to ensure staffing was up to plan. Improved retention by emphasizing awareness of people development and career development Developed strategy for execution of promotional events, seasonal events and day-to-day operation of store Worked with central organization to ensure expense management is within budget Ensured consistent high standards of customer service through effective staff planning, monitoring of training programs and timely communication of advertising and special events. Responded to customers inquiries and resolved customer issues in a timely and appropriate manner Maintained standards of operation for total store including visual presentation, security/shortage control, human resources and operations. Ensured adherence to pricing policies on merchandising

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Used my business, leadership and people skills to inspire exceptional performance. Maximized sales and profits for our Target store in Raleigh. Ensure great guest service and team member satisfaction. Created a fast-paced, energetic environment that delivered a consistent Target brand experience for our team members and guests.Managed the day-to-day operations of the logistics team (early morning/overnight and backroom teams)- Utilized state-of-the art technology to manage the receiving processes, freight flow and replenishment transition, productivity results and background inventory- Developed team by ensuring proper training and certifications were completed- Supervised team to ensure the safety and efficiency of the entire operation- Recruit, select and develop team members- Ensured great guest service by interacting with guests and team members

Bluefield, Va

Responsible for $52 million dollars of annual store sales volume. The primary responsibility of my position was to implement and enforce all company procedures, policies and applicable laws. These responsibilities included, reviewing and analyzing financial and business reports such as sales results, inventory levels, inventory taking, payroll, and customer counts; ensuring risk control standards were met; ensuring cleanliness and safety of displays; and analyzing daily and monthly P&L and journal entries to ensure expense controls.