Alice M. Bennett
Hinton
Summary
Results-driven Retail Management professional with 26 years of experience in strategic planning and business development. Excelled in exceeding sales and operational goals while effectively recruiting, training, and developing future leaders. Fostered team engagement and recognition through mentoring and performance coaching. Led execution of company programs and compliance initiatives to ensure a safe workplace, while actively participating in community outreach and educational programs.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Store Leader
Kroger Family of Companies
Rainelle, WV
02.2026 - Current
- Led daily operational activities to ensure store efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Identified and developed bench of five high performing associates that will be beneficial in the continued growth and progress of the store in 1-3 years as current career leaders explore retirement.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust inventory strategies accordingly.
- Coordinated staff schedules to optimize labor costs while maintaining service standards.
- Increased overall composite score from 60% in Period 2 of 2026 to 100% in Period 6 of 2026, one of three stores to reach this metric in a division of 104 stores,
- Served as District Expense mentor, assisting 17 sister stores in achieving expense budgets and improving overall EBITDA for the district.
- Enhanced visual merchandising techniques to boost product visibility and sales performance.
- Instituted regular team meetings to foster communication and align store objectives.
- Recruited and hired talented individuals bringing depth and experience to the organization.
- Actively contributed towards fostering a culture of continuous improvement, supporting the achievement of store-wide objectives.
- Built relationships with team members to encourage willingness to address concerns and issues.
- Played a key role in implementing loss prevention strategies that reduced incidents of theft within the workplace.
District Asset Protection Manager
Kroger
Mid Atlantic
06.2024 - 02.2026
- Mid Atlantic Division, Districts 1 & 8
- Led training sessions for store leadership on asset protection policies, annual OSHA planning, inventory shrink and over deliveries, safety policies and procedures and overall sales improvement to include theft recovery by internal and external causes.
- Achieved 97.32% in food safety and sanitation scores, an improvement of 1.9 basis points over prior year.
- Reduced store shrink by $1.6M YoY by supporting stores in reviewing data to create actionable plans to surpass shrink budgets, becoming one of the top two districts in the Mid Atlantic Division.
- Instrumental in the seamless closure of one of 60 stores in the Enterprise with zero operational issues, successful placement of every impacted associate into two nearby stores resulting in labor continuity contributing to sales lifts at these stores.
- Led and developed a team of three Asset Protection Specialists, with one being promoted to that of Senior Asset Protection Specialist
District Human Resources Specialist
Kroger
Mid Atlantic
12.2020 - 06.2024
- Mid Atlantic Division, District 8 - 4 stores
- Facilitated training sessions to enhance employee skills and knowledge across departments.
- Managed employee onboarding processes, ensuring a smooth transition and compliance with company policies.
- Collaborated with management to design and implement employee engagement initiatives, boosting morale and retention.
- Analyzed HR data trends to inform strategic decision-making and improve workforce planning efforts.
- Maintained personnel records and statistical data to establish accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations.
- Administered employee leave requests in accordance with FMLA guidelines, maintaining compliance with regulations while providing necessary accommodations for staff members.
- Advocated for employee wellness programs, contributing to healthier workplace.
- Filled in for District Human Resources Leader during vacations and absences.
- Selected to lead service training for three under performing stores with poor customer service scores, significant shrink opportunities and low associate retention rates, with all three stores improving in all three metrics.
- Selected to train store leadership in the Wave 3 rollout of MyInfo recruiting platform
Store Director
Weis Markets, Inc.
Fredericksburg, VA
04.2018 - 10.2020
- Oversaw daily store operations, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures.
- Managed inventory levels, implementing effective stock control measures to minimize shrinkage.
- Led team development initiatives, fostering a collaborative environment that enhanced staff performance.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and optimize product placements for maximum profitability.
- Streamlined customer service processes, improving overall customer satisfaction and retention rates.
- Developed promotional strategies, coordinating with marketing teams to drive in-store traffic and sales growth.
- Mentored department managers, promoting best practices in operational efficiency and team management.
- Exceeded company targets consistently through proactive monitoring of KPIs and execution of corrective action plans when needed.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Improved employee retention rates by creating a positive work environment that fostered teamwork and camaraderie among staff members.
- Successfully led store team through initial COVID event, while closing a neighboring unprofitable unit.
Store Director
The Fresh Market, Inc.
Richmond, VA
03.2015 - 03.2018
- Oversaw daily store operations, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures.
- Managed inventory levels, implementing effective stock control measures to minimize shrinkage.
- Led team development initiatives, fostering a collaborative environment that enhanced staff performance.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and optimize product placements for maximum profitability.
- Streamlined customer service processes, improving overall customer satisfaction and retention rates.
- Developed promotional strategies, coordinating with marketing teams to drive in-store traffic and sales growth.
- Mentored department managers, promoting best practices in operational efficiency and team management.
- Exceeded company targets consistently through proactive monitoring of KPIs and execution of corrective action plans when needed.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Improved employee retention rates by creating a positive work environment that fostered teamwork and camaraderie among staff members.
Corporate Training Specialist
Wawa Food Markets
Media, PA
06.2011 - 12.2012
- Developed and delivered training programs to enhance employee performance and customer service skills.
- Evaluated training effectiveness through assessments, feedback, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Mentored new trainers and provided guidance on best practices for instructional design and delivery.
- Analyzed learning outcomes to refine curriculum content and ensure alignment with industry standards.
- Evaluated effectiveness of training programs, making data-driven adjustments to optimize results.
- Promoted training best practices throughout field.
- Prepared and delivered clear and professional presentations.
- Championed a culture of continuous improvement within the department, regularly updating course materials based on feedback from participants and evolving industry trends.
- Supported managers in coaching their teams, providing them with tools to effectively mentor direct reports.
Lead General Manager
Wawa Food Markets
Richmond, VA
12.1999 - 06.2011
- Led operational strategy to enhance customer service and optimize store efficiency.
- Managed staffing, training, and development programs to build high-performing teams in underperforming locations.
- Implemented inventory control systems to reduce waste and improve product availability.
- Oversaw financial performance, analyzing sales data for strategic decision-making.
- Fostered a culture of safety compliance through regular training and audits across all locations.
- Developed comprehensive business plans that aligned with organizational objectives while accounting for market trends and competitor activities.
- Opened three stores in the Fredericksburg/Richmond VA markets, providing superior financial results in the first 8-12 months of operation.
Education
B.S. - Sociology
University of Maine
OronoSkills
- Store operations management
- Team leadership and development,
- Loss prevention
- Human resource policies,
- Store opening and closing
- Cash management
- Employee development,
- Customer loyalty and retention
- Excellent communication, problem solving and active listening skills
- Inventory management
Certification
Certified Trainer, ECET, Certificate, SHRM Essentials of Human Resources, Completion of Wicklander-Zulawski Advanced Investigative and Interrogation Techniques, July 2024
Languages
French
Professional Working
Timeline
Assistant Store Leader
Kroger Family of Companies
02.2026 - Current
District Asset Protection Manager
Kroger
06.2024 - 02.2026
District Human Resources Specialist
Kroger
12.2020 - 06.2024
Store Director
Weis Markets, Inc.
04.2018 - 10.2020
Store Director
The Fresh Market, Inc.
03.2015 - 03.2018
Corporate Training Specialist
Wawa Food Markets
06.2011 - 12.2012
Lead General Manager
Wawa Food Markets
12.1999 - 06.2011
B.S. - Sociology
University of Maine