Amy Siders
Ottawa Hills,Ohio
Summary
Charismatic, energetic and enterprising Merchandising and Sales Manager with over 20 years of professional experience who thrives in a team-oriented environment, working creatively and effectively to meet and exceed company's goals. Accurately assesses competition and seeks new and innovative ways to boost sales and to reinforce the company's brand and image in the marketplace. Focused not only on building displays that showcase both beauty and functionality for the customer but also imparting those skills to my team, letting them learn, grow and succeed in their own stores. Results-oriented, leveraging solid market knowledge and inventive touches to maximize sales and profitability. Skillful team-builder who thrives in high-pressure, high-volume and fast-paced environments. Solid background in retail management with a major focus on recruiting, new hire on-boarding and employee development, coaching and implementation of training at the store, district and regional levels. Seeking a Regional Merchandising and Sales Manager position that will allow me to share my current skill set with a wider audience, assisting the team - both at the corporate and store levels - to reach the highest levels of success.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Showroom Manager
Waterhouse Bath & Kitchen Studio/Maumee Supply
07.2021 - Current
- Generated personal sales to meet or exceed established sales goals.
- Managed custom projects by completing initial quotes, design and sample requests.
- Provided prompt, courteous service to every individual entering showroom.
- Set goals for showroom employees and provided support and motivation to help each achieve true potential.
- Drove employee engagement and guest experience through coaching, training and development.
- Kept showroom expenses appropriate and reasonable to drive operational efficiency.
- Liaised with marketing team to identify and develop sales and promotional events.
- Determined key details for showroom light fixtures, flooring and accessories.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Managed senior-level personnel working in marketing and sales capacities.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
Market Lead Visual Merchandiser
Value City Furniture
12.2016 - 07.2021
- Provided ongoing visual merchandising training for store management, visual merchandisers and sales staff for the 11 VCF stores in my market (Michigan, NW Ohio, NE Indiana)
- Worked with corporate visual team to execute quarterly floor sets for the entire chain (130+ stores)
- Team lead for 10-12 visual merchandisers for new store openings and major floor resets
- Assisted in the hiring process, intake and initial and ongoing training for 10 new Visual Merchandisers in my market in 2019-20
- Analyzed trend and best seller reports to make real-time product placement adjustments based on collected data
- Identified opportunities for growth within sales teams, operational systems and merchandising presentations
- Fostered a true team atmosphere with the visual team in my market by initiating and facilitating a weekly conference call to transmit all new and pertinent information regarding floor sets, sales floor planning and mapping, corporate communication, new incoming product and to reinforce brand standards
- This call has grown to include visual merchandisers from stores in Nashville, Cleveland, St
- Louis, Columbus, Chicago and Baltimore/D.C
- As well
- Travel to all 12 stores in my market for new hire training, ongoing training and to both plan and execute all new corporate-driven quarterly floor sets
- Trusted advisor for all store managers in my market and beyond regarding any and all visual merchandising questions, issues and opportunities
- Most recently (June 2020-present), served as team leader and project coordinator for the liquidation of 40 Art Van showrooms for transport to clearance centers across Michigan.
- Managed aesthetically pleasing displays to showcase company products and increase sales.
- Enhanced overall store appearance by applying careful consideration to product and display locations.
- Developed merchandising strategy to efficiently move overstock.
- Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.
- Presented store update suggestions and layouts to management and stakeholders.
- Restructured company merchandising standards to increase customer traffic and product exposure.
- Upheld exacting standards store-wide for consistent and successful appeal to customers.
- Kept all graphics, signage and associated materials current.
- Created build-outs in different store areas to highlight latest trends and current promotions.
- Supervised team of merchandising employees and monitored adherence to company standards.
- Gathered and analyzed data to assess customer preferences and trends in order to capitalize on current market conditions.
- Worked with store managers to implement new displays, promotions and store layout changes.
- Supervised and trained team of merchandising associates, verifying accuracy and efficiency in work processes.
- Built properly lit and well-maintained displays, creating inviting atmosphere in stores.
- Developed innovative approaches to store layout to optimize customer flow and optimize sales potential.
- Evaluated store performance and made recommendations for changes to optimize sales.
- Coordinated with marketing and promotions teams to verify proper implementation of visual elements of display.
Owner
52 Novels LLC, EBook Design
04.2009 - 07.2023
- Co-founder and co-owner of 52 Novels, a boutique book design and production firm serving a client roster consisting of 1,400 independent authors, literary agencies, New York Times bestselling authors, small presses, and corporate and non-profit organizations with $1.25 million in total sales to date
- Peak annual output (2013) included a team of 9 designers, creating 600 projects for 470 clients, reaching $275,000 in sales.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
- Monitored market conditions to set accurate product pricing and take advantage of emerging trends.
- Organized and attended trade shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses and attract new customers.
- Used knowledge of market trends to create value-added solutions resulting in significant increase in revenues.
- Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive and performance-driven company culture to lead industry innovations.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
Director of Visual Merchandising
Dillard's at Town Center at Aurora
01.2007 - 04.2009
- Responsible for the constantly morphing visual design needs of an 180,000 square foot department store - both fashion and home overseeing a staff of 10 sales managers and 100+ full-time and part-time sales associates.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Managed senior-level personnel working in marketing and sales capacities.
Recovery and Maintenance Program Director (RAMP)
Foley's/Macy's West Cherry Creek Shopping Center
11.2005 - 01.2007
- Mobilized, trained and supervised 35 RAMP team members (Recovery and Maintenance Program) in the efficient return of merchandise to the selling floor while acting as a communication liaison between corporate, regional and store-level management, sales staff and support personnel in all holiday staffing matters.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Monitored program performance to identify areas for improvement.
- Recruited and trained staff and volunteers to upgrade collective team skills.
- Collaborated with various teams to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions, and offer guidance.
- Developed and implemented program evaluation systems to assess program impact.
- Developed [Type] program from ground up, laying out framework, and defining roles.
- Developed and recommended policies and procedures for evaluating programs.
Merchandise Team Lead Ready-to-Wear
ATM/Associate-to-Manager Program Participant
11.2005 - 01.2007
- Designed displays to deliver interactive, engaging, and memorable store experiences for shoppers.
- Optimized store displays and appearance via strategic merchandising.
- Monitored stock levels and product sales to determine purchasing needs.
- Maintained point of sale (POS) system by inputting accurate inventory information.
- Executed in-season pricing strategies, promotions, and markdowns to reach financial targets.
- Analyzed trends and conducted research to determine seasonal merchandise direction.
- Organized meetings for up to [Number] staff members to discuss upcoming promotions, key strategies, and tasks.
- Created sales cycle plan to develop and service accounts through product marketing, prospecting, promotion, and merchandising for proper product visibility.
- Motivated and mentored merchandise team to achieve high performance and job satisfaction.
- Monitored inventory levels and made necessary adjustments to maximize sales and profits.
- Completed efficient store resets to prepare store for special promotions and seasonal updates.
- Interacted with customers to obtain feedback and drive satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented successful strategies to increase sales and profits.
- Reviewed customer feedback to identify trends and improve product selection.
- Set and managed merchandise budgets to maximize profits and control expenses.
- Collaborated with marketing team for prompt promotion of products.
Senior Clinical Care Specialist HIV and STD Prevention Outreach
Reach Project/Denver Health
06.2004 - 03.2006
- Participated in special projects related to program design, training and implementation to develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff.
- Visited assigned accounts, identified and trained clinical champions and established relationships with key decision makers.
- Increased professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing publications, establishing personal networks and participating in professional societies.
- Gave presentations to conference attendees, clinicians and administrators.
- Prepared reports and updated required documentation.
- Evaluated, recommended and implemented new tools, presentations, techniques and delivery platforms for training and communication.
Manager-Training and Development
McCormick's Fish House and Bar
10.2002 - 07.2004
- Formalized coaching process and improved staff coaching skills.
- Identified opportunities for process improvements and created best practices.
- Created and implemented plan to harmonize, integrate and optimize skill-based training.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive training program to increase employee productivity and morale.
- Collaborated with other departments to align training programs with organizational goals and objectives.
- Conducted orientation sessions and organized on-the-job training for new hires.
- Monitored and evaluated training performance to determine quality and cohesiveness.
- Communicated all learning and performance objectives, schedules, and training assessments to upper management.
- Trained new hires to perform cross-training exercises with experienced workers.
- Organized and edited training manuals, multimedia visual aids, and other educational materials.
- Assisted in development of employee assessments to measure training value.
- Alternated training methods to diversify instruction, strengthen learning opportunities, and enhance program success.
- Spearheaded design and implementation of multiple training courses to establish successful onboarding of new employees.
- Provided coaching and mentoring to employees.
- Trained and mentored [Number] new personnel hired to fulfill various roles.
- Created effective employee schedules maintaining coverage at peak times and minimizing labor costs.
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Consulted with managers to organize special events and promotions.
- Strategized plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts, specialty drinks, and customer-focused events.
- Maintained high standards of customer service by staying up to date on bar and menu options and providing effective food recommendations for guests.
- Recruited, hired and trained staff on bar practices, customer service standards, and productivity strategies, providing [Number]% improvement over prior onboarding process.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
- Enhanced financial controls to minimize theft and loss risks, continuously maintaining accurate accounts and cash drawers.
Food and Beverage Manager-Special Events
Red and Jerry's
10.2001 - 10.2002
- Trained food and beverage service personnel, confirming staff to provide recommendations and answer questions.
- Resolved customer complaints involving food or beverage quality and service.
- Verified staff compliance with accepted food and drink safety regulations, suggesting remedial training where necessary.
- Maintained highest standards for beverage quality and service.
- Oversaw selection, ordering and inventory controls of wine, beer and alcohol program.
- Responded to customer complaints, addressing concerns, and distress with amicable interactions.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
- Handled catering scheduling, ordered food and planned events.
- Coordinated with event planners for floor and table layouts, guest numbers and overall catering needs.
- Worked with chefs to plan menus according to client needs and budgets.
- Set and enforced performance and service standards to keep consistent, high-quality environment devoted to customer satisfaction.
- Promoted catering packages with most profitable outcomes without sacrificing client desires.
- Secured new clients and accounts by analyzing and catering products to specific needs.
- Hired and trained both permanent and temporary staff members.
- Organized and oversaw food service training to educate employees on resetting tables, relaying orders to cooks and upselling food and beverages.
- Coordinated with catering staff to deliver food services for special events and functions.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Managed staff schedules and maintained adequate coverage for all shifts.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
- Developed unique events and special promotions to drive sales.
Catering Director
Jill Kassell Coordinators, Inc.
05.2001 - 10.2001
- Supervised catering staff at all functions, instructing employees to restock items quickly and to promote exemplary service to guests.
- Maintained close working relationships with food and beverage director, head chef and banquet manager.
- Built lasting, lucrative relationships with community members and leaders through effective communication and active listening skills.
- Drove catering revenues by bringing in new business to establishment, consistently exceeding quarterly and yearly goals.
- Collaborated closely with clients to develop exciting catering menus for memorable events.
- Coordinated with event planners for floor and table layouts, guest numbers and overall catering needs.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Supervised events from start to finish using effective crowd control methods.
- Maximized cost-effectiveness by complying with budget, labor and revenue benchmarks.
- Maintained accurate notes of changes and requests for each event and ascertained allocation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - School of Public Affairs and Environmental Sciences
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN12.1993
Skills
- Program and policy design, implementation and execution
- Employee recruiting, training and development
- Customer service and client satisfaction and retention
- Team-building, coaching and development of training materials, programs and presentations
Notable Accomplishments
- Fostered an atmosphere of communication, respect and community by training and mentoring the 11 visual merchandisers in Market 2 for Value City Furniture. This exceptional team rivals any in the company, including larger flagship stores in major markets
- Built a nine-person eBook and print book design boutique firm with more than 1400 clients and $1.25 million in total sales from a one-person freelance operation with less than $20,000 in annual sales.
- Led both the Merchandising Team and the Recovery Team at the flagship Foley's/Macy's Cherry Creek ensuring the smooth transition through a name change, a remodel, a complete merchandise shift, numerous personnel changes, a grand re-opening and an inaugural holiday season.
- Reduced McCormick's liquor, beer, wine and bar supply PC by 5%, increased bar sales 12% and slashed labor costs for all dining room and bar personnel for 13 consecutive months.
Employment Chronology
- Value City Furniture, Market Lead Visual Merchandiser, December 2016-present
- 52 Novels LLC, Owner, April 2009-present
- Dillard's at Town Center at Aurora, Director of Visual Merchandising, January 2007 to April 2009
- Foley's/Macy's West Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Recovery and Maintenance Program Director, November 2005 to January 2007
- Reach Project/Denver Health, Senior Clinical Care Specialist HIV and STD Prevention Outreach, June 2004 to March 2006
- McCormick's Fish House and Bar, Manager-Training and Development, October 2002 to July 2004
- Red and Jerry's, Food and Beverage Manager-Special Events, October 2001 to October 2002
- Jill Kassell Coordinators, Inc., Catering Director, May 2001 to October 2001
Relationship Building
Effective coach possessing a creative mind and boundless energy to continually motivate team members, employees and clients to keep the primary focus on attaining and surpassing mutually agreed upon goals. Increased brand loyalty and quickly built a large, devoted client base through attention to detail, tact, diplomacy and providing unequaled customer and client services.
Timeline
Showroom Manager
Waterhouse Bath & Kitchen Studio/Maumee Supply
07.2021 - Current
Market Lead Visual Merchandiser
Value City Furniture
12.2016 - 07.2021
Owner
52 Novels LLC, EBook Design
04.2009 - 07.2023
Director of Visual Merchandising
Dillard's at Town Center at Aurora
01.2007 - 04.2009
Merchandise Team Lead Ready-to-Wear
ATM/Associate-to-Manager Program Participant
11.2005 - 01.2007
Recovery and Maintenance Program Director (RAMP)
Foley's/Macy's West Cherry Creek Shopping Center
11.2005 - 01.2007
Senior Clinical Care Specialist HIV and STD Prevention Outreach
Reach Project/Denver Health
06.2004 - 03.2006
Manager-Training and Development
McCormick's Fish House and Bar
10.2002 - 07.2004
Food and Beverage Manager-Special Events
Red and Jerry's
10.2001 - 10.2002
Catering Director
Jill Kassell Coordinators, Inc.
05.2001 - 10.2001
Bachelor of Science - School of Public Affairs and Environmental Sciences
Indiana University
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