Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Websites
References
Timeline
Generic

Ashley Stanford

Bristol,CT

Summary

Results-driven management professional with a proven track record of exceeding sales goals. Offers strong leadership, problem-solving, and team building skills honed over a progressive career. Leverages financial and marketing education to make strategic purchasing and merchandising decisions. Proactively addresses concerns, optimizes policies, and engages customers to drive loyalty and increase sales. Empowers employees through advanced training and mentoring to improve performance and enhance customer satisfaction. Resourceful and forward-thinking Manager dedicated to improving day-to-day operations and maximizing bottom-line profits.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Store Manager

BuyBuy Baby
West Hartford, CT
06.2019 - Current
  • Establish and maintain outstanding Customer Service
  • Control all expenses, shortages, merchandising and inventory control
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex operational issues independently
  • Supervise, Coach and Develop 2 Assistant Managers, 5 Supervisors and 5 Department Leads
  • Recruit, interview, hire, train all new associates, including evaluating performance and enforcing disciplinary actions
  • Schedule and manage payroll for 50+ employees
  • Order $200k of product weekly based on current selling trends and merchandising standards
  • Responsible for $7-9M annual revenue of the building
  • Increased Customer Satisfaction Survey results in first 30 days
  • Delegate work to employees based on shift requirements, individual strengths and unique training
  • Develop and implement promotional strategies to drive business success and maintain budgetary guidelines
  • Reorganize sales floor, changing product layout to optimize customer flow and improve product visibility
  • Lead the team through closing and re-opening, company bankruptcy and rebuilding with new owners

Assistant Store Manager

BuyBuy Baby
West Hartford, CT
09.2018 - 06.2019
  • Schedule and manage payroll for 40+ employees
  • Order $100k of product weekly based on current selling trend
  • Directly oversee entire front end; registry, customer service, registers
  • Help daily with receiving, processing, stocking and merchandising
  • Responsible for $3-5M revenue within specific departments
  • Meet with vendors to purchase new merchandise and to plan in store training classes
  • Events coordinator
  • Plan and execute monthly small talk events, rock your registry events, holiday activities, etc
  • Acting LOD of the building for multiple hours of every shift; as well as acting SM when needed
  • Implemented a hiring event which now other stores have adapted my idea and have begun using it
  • Lead the team in creating Registry Goals and surpassing them; Created 2,500 registries in 9 months
  • Recruited, interviewed and hired individuals demonstrating passion, dedication and added value to team

Training Store Manager

Things Remembered
CT, Western MA, Southern NY, Eastern PA, OH
02.2015 - 10.2018
  • Ensuring consistent and proper training throughout district, 15 stores
  • Managed to improve the district's Engraving Competency levels among teammates
  • Conducted thorough and effective training of new managers, 4 weeks with all new Store Managers, 2 weeks with all Assistant Managers
  • Partnered with District Manager to determine workshops and other district needs
  • Acting District Manager when DM is on PTO or LOA
  • All the above are executed while still performing all duties of a Store Manager, which are listed below

Store Manager

Things Remembered
Farmington, Manchester, Waterbury, CT
11.2011 - 01.2015
  • Hired, trained, scheduled, and supervised 5-20 employees
  • Controlled and met all set budgets/goals, ex: Sales, Engraving, Rewards Cards, Promotions, Profit, Conversion Selling, Payroll
  • Motivated and coached sales team to achieve goals and company standards
  • Coordinated sales promotions and merchandise
  • Processed shipments and Stock merchandise
  • Managed inventory twice a year
  • Received Best of the Best recognition, Top 3% in company in profitability, Top 5% in company for comp
  • Attended annual national meeting; taking part in various retail training classes

Store Manager

Sweet Factory
Farmington, CT
09.2010 - 10.2011
  • Hired, trained, scheduled and supervised 8 employees
  • Accountable for $1M in sales revenue
  • Purchased all retail merchandise necessary for day to day operation
  • Priced, displayed and stocked merchandise as needed
  • Increased store sales within 3 months, up 20%
  • Attended numerous guest service trainings in Cleveland, OH

Guest Relations, Admissions, Retail/Games Manager

Lake Compounce
Bristol, CT
04.2009 - 02.2010
  • Oversaw all aspects of operations for 35-location department
  • Hired and trained 155 team members
  • Supervised 11 seasonal managers, providing guidance and accountability of staff performance
  • Accountable for $13M in sales revenue
  • Managed $525 thousand payroll
  • Worked directly with over 75 vendors to purchase all retail merchandise, games plush, supplies and parts necessary for the operating season
  • Controlled and strived for all set budgets/goals, ex: Cost of Sales, Net Revenue, Labor Expenses, Per Capita, etc
  • Attended professional conferences and trainings sponsored by Palace Entertainment

Retail and Games Manager

Lake Compounce
Bristol, CT
09.2007 - 03.2009
  • Oversaw all aspects of operations for a 32-location department.
  • Hired and trained 105 team members.
  • Supervised 8 seasonal managers, providing guidance and accountability of staff performance.
  • Accountable for an excess in $2.2M in sales revenue.
  • Managed $375 thousand payroll.
  • Worked directly with over 75 vendors to purchase all retail merchandise, games plush, supplies, and parts necessary for the operating season.
  • Attended professional conferences and trainings.
  • Attended the North Conway Gift Show, IAAPA Attractions Expo, and the NEEAPA Summer Meeting.
  • Received multiple awards and recognition.

Retail Supervisor

Lake Compounce
Bristol, CT
04.2005 - 08.2007
  • Hired, trained and weekly scheduled 60+ seasonal team members
  • Assisted Games and Retail Manager with ordering merchandise
  • Priced, displayed and stocked merchandise as needed
  • Created and implemented various incentive programs
  • Attended New York Toy Fair

Education

High School Diploma -

Bristol Central High School
Bristol, CT

Associate of Science - Business Management, Retail Management

Tunxis Community College
Farmington, CT

Skills

  • Inventory control
  • Merchandising
  • Microsoft Office
  • Payroll Management
  • Retail
  • Scheduling
  • Relationship building and management
  • Maximizing profitability
  • Team leadership and coaching
  • Order management
  • Staff training and development
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Vendor management
  • POS systems
  • Goals and performance
  • Operations
  • Accounts Payable
  • Community Outreach
  • Event Planning
  • Freight Management
  • Loss Prevention

Certification

  • Foundational Leadership - GP Strategies Corporation

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Store Manager

BuyBuy Baby
06.2019 - Current

Assistant Store Manager

BuyBuy Baby
09.2018 - 06.2019

Training Store Manager

Things Remembered
02.2015 - 10.2018

Store Manager

Things Remembered
11.2011 - 01.2015

Store Manager

Sweet Factory
09.2010 - 10.2011

Guest Relations, Admissions, Retail/Games Manager

Lake Compounce
04.2009 - 02.2010

Retail and Games Manager

Lake Compounce
09.2007 - 03.2009

Retail Supervisor

Lake Compounce
04.2005 - 08.2007

High School Diploma -

Bristol Central High School

Associate of Science - Business Management, Retail Management

Tunxis Community College

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