Steven Samek Email & Phone Number

Deerfield, Il

Build partnerships across the company to guide strategy on where retail programs can most impact the customers Walgreen's serves. Main collaborations are with Finance, Operations, Insights, and Category leaders where output is communicated to executive decision makers of the company.

Deerfield, Il

• Oversee a 4 person team that builds the analytics and strategy for the key programs impacting Front End sales for all 8,000+ stores in the chain, specific programs include adult beverage, fresh food, and beauty pilots where the company’s goal is to maximize potential sales in unique markets• Work directly with executive members of the company to execute a key company initiative of creating the ‘Well Experience’ for customers at all 8,000+ stores in the chain.• Programs analyzed total $100+ Million in investments for the company• Key collaborators for strategy development and employment include Merchandising, Operations, Financial, Strategy, Customer Insigths, and Implementation Executives for Walgreens Co.

Greater Chicago Area

• Work with 7 person management team to plan and execute the recruitment, development, and long-term vision for Market Planning & Research department in Walgreens which employees over 40 people • Developed and executed the first college store concept that catered to the student’s needs, the new concept was branded “Corner W” and has exceeded expectations by projecting over $5.4 million in sales. Program success resulted in a commitment for four more locations • Manage a 5-person team which develops the growth strategies for over 50 territories where Walgreens operates 1400 stores serve over 51 million people • Developed and integrated two new members of the department into Market Manger role with goal setting, performance reviews and consistent mentoring during first 6 months in the region • Acting M&A Management Sponsor working to develop the leaderships skills of team lead and overseeing all strategic needs to support major M&A efforts of the company • BLUEPRINTS Project Manager collaborating with executive leadership to develop a career building process for VCS organization within Walgreens

Greater Chicago Area

• As the Independent Pharmacy Acquisitions Team Lead, I managed a 7-person team which developed new methodologies to support the M&A department’s $100+ million annual budget. We have delivered 6 separate projects that have resulted in new methodologies on retention estimates and targeting strategies which are used daily by both M&A and Market Strategy.• As the Project Management Team Lead, I managed a 5-person group that collaborated with CPMO department for over a year to successfully implement processes, tools, and training that Market Strategy uses for all major projects rolled out to the company.• Led a 3-person team that works directly with company CFO and HR executives to train over 500 Walgreens employees in the ‘3 Laws of Performance’. Worked with departmental VPs throughout the company to coordinate the 7 offsite seminars, which focused on personal and professional growth within the company

Greater Chicago Area

• Developed a new strategy for Walgreens HIV Centers of Excellence, then created and implemented a training session for the 40+ member department. Through this training, 10+ markets have met to incorporate HIV Centers of Excellence and 3 markets have successfully opened retail stores with HIV capabilities.• Worked with top Walgreens executives to analyze, recommend, and integrate the successful acquisition of Eaton’s Apothecary in Boston. This acquisition resulted in Boston becoming one of the top markets in terms of market share gains during 2010• Member of the Blueprints Program Management Team, which meets weekly to ultimately implement a new career model to be used by the 1,200+ people in Walgreens’ FASMART division.

Greater Chicago Area

• Performed analysis on over 250 retail sites in 12 major markets in an effort to grow Walgreens store count and build new business. Analysis consisted of detailed field work, new store sales estimates, and comprehensive market share plans with growth recommendations given to top company executives.• Pioneered the first strategic onsite pharmacy target meeting in conjunction with members of the Healthcare Team to develop a creative way to increase market share and points of care in a mature market; this later became the template for all markets to use.• Spearheaded the departmental recruiting at Indiana University by working with corporate HR personnel and Kelley Business School representatives; this relationship has resulted in two full-time market manager as well as several invitations to career fairs and speaking engagements.• Developed new strategy to accurately project population growth in the Phoenix market; then researched and contracted 3rd party vendors to provide data. This strategy was presented to top Walgreen executives and is still used to plan new store placement in growth areas.

Chicago

• Worked on-site as a consultant to the Market Insights team at the Tropicana Beverages division of PepsiCo. Researched demographic information and sales trends to help the client maximize selling potential of its products across all channels in the US.• Assisted the Tropicana team daily with pricing, share, and sales studies to locate which store accounts were most profitable.• Tracked advertising effects on product sales in different locations and analyzed product purchasing habits of consumer groups with different income ranges, races, and educational backgrounds.• Created weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports used company-wide to track sales performance against major competitors; built relationship with client through daily communication to ensure client needs were aligned with IRI’s research capabilities.

Milwaukee, Wi

• Planned for future trends in consumer demand for $3+ million in merchandise to all 589 nationwide department stores by measuring buying patterns in various market clusters to optimize sales opportunities for new merchandise.• Researched consumer purchasing data to predict successful clothing classifications for next season’s merchandise presentation. This was done by initiating and tracking test orders to uncover new opportunities for innovative products.• Monitored logistical concerns within the distribution channels of all goods shipped to ensure that buying trends were met with appropriate inventory levels; effectively communicated to vendors ideas that could maximize their investment with Kohls.• Received Kohls Merchandise Program Award in recognition of research done on the most successful program of 4th quarter 2003.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Corporate Strategy & Leadership, Summa Cum Laude (3.9+)

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.) - Kelley School Of Business, Focus: Marketing, Market Research & Analytics

Minor – Psychology