Aurora Thomas
Houston,TX
Summary
Highly experienced and dedicated senior retail manager with a strong background in sales and operations management. Skilled in building and leading teams, excels at training new employees to effectively implement quality sales techniques and maintain visual standards. Focuses on operational efficiency, team cohesion, and budget management, consistently ensuring the integrity of all aspects of the business.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Store Director (Operations)
Saks OFF 5TH
08.2021 - Current
- Responsible for maintaining performance of stores’ back of house practices to drive efficiency and achievement of related goals
- Coached direct associate reports proactively and collaboratively to achieve the productivity set forth in the labor standards
- Responsible for achievement of sales, controllable profit, EBITDA, payroll management, P&L performance
- Manage the planning, timelines, budget and communication of all required operational processes
- Organization of the stock room including merchandise set up, equipment, supplies and technology
- Execution of all inbound and outbound freight flow including dock to floor processes and exception report maintenance to maintain inventory integrity
- Resolution of maintenance and repair of all facilities related issues
- Develop and retain direct reports, ensure their readiness for increased responsibilities and provide a bench of internal talent who are upwardly mobile to fill critical positions
- Participate and support in training for new company programs, procedures, and technologies
- Consistently model and coach to behaviors that exceed key performance indicators
- Establish positive interpersonal relationships and actively collaborates and contributes to a positive team dynamic
- Lead through both action and collaboration acts as a coach and role model to bring out the best in my teams
- Adapt to changes and can be relied upon to consistently deliver exceptional results
- Consistently generate and share original ideas, tackling both simple and complex problems
- Act promptly in routine situations and see a clear plan of action to a positive result in the customer’s eye
Key Holding Manager
Saks OFF 5TH
08.2020 - 02.2021
- Boosted sales through effective merchandising and consistent restocking of high-traffic items.
- Kept department on-target to meet sales and profit objectives by minimizing waste and pursuing revenue generation opportunities.
- Coached staff on strategies to enhance performance and improve customer relations.
- Trained and helped supervise staff to develop and maintain store revenue, team customer service skills and product knowledge.
- Opened and closed store in absence of senior managers.
- Supervised bank deposits and security procedures to support store opening and closing.
- Maximized customer satisfaction by empowering staff to handle customers' issues and deliver top-notch service.
- Helped senior management achieve retail store targets by monitoring and motivating front-line staff.
- Cultivated store brand and accomplished strategic business initiatives through close collaboration with district manager.
- Collaborated with company departments to guarantee cohesive branding and strategic product placement.
- Identified appropriate solutions to minimize issues and quickly solve problems.
- Conducted department walkthroughs to assess and remedy factors such as cleanliness, inadequate stock levels and poor merchandising.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Managed daily operations, client relations and IT.
- Researched out-of-stock items to find additional inventory in other store locations.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Assisted customers with locating and securing desired products.
- Determined complete order accuracy by examining merchandise to verify price and quantity.
- Built lasting client relationships by organizing and planning sales events.
- Devised, implemented and managed promotions to enhance store profits and drive customer engagement.
- Mentored newly hired staff in upselling techniques to improve sales.
- Accomplished sales goals by engaging customers, delivering top-notch service and promoting special items.
- Trained, managed and motivated employees to promote professional skill development.
Retail Buyer
Glam Coalition
03.2018 - 03.2021
- Developed product purchasing and sales strategies according to company budgets.
- Obtained information about customer needs and preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
- Examined, selected and purchased merchandise consistent with specification requirements.
- Negotiated favorable contracts and determined lowest possible cost, factoring in quality and reliability, by analyzing data.
- Reviewed customer feedback to brainstorm new merchandise ideas and improve existing products.
- Sourced new vendors and suppliers to boost product offerings and increase profit margins at each store location.
- Ordered inventory based on understanding of current fashion and market trends.
- Analyzed buying trends at each store location to identify appropriate mix of inventory items for top-tier sales.
- Negotiated pricing for apparel and accessories from vendors to secure optimal pricing and keep costs low.
- Traveled to various locations to procure materials and products from vendors.
Personal Stylist
Bloomingdales Flagship
06.2012 - 10.2016
- Developed long-lasting relationships with clients through one-on-one store interactions.
- Created mood boards by researching current fashion trends and competitor activity.
- Attended industry events or trade shows, reviewed fashion magazines and tracked customer market trends to remain up-to-date with new and emerging fashions.
- Helped brand awareness by assisting in merchandising and handling display setups.
- Marketed other items, including jewelry, shoes and hats, that would complete outfits or boost new wardrobes.
- Documented key information from each service visit into detailed reports.
- Brainstormed with other stylists to determine how to incorporate exciting new trends into development of showroom displays.
- Greeted each client and asked questions to determine fashion needs.
- Planned shopping trips with clients to select and coordinate apparel, accessories and footwear that supported body style, overall appearance and fashion choice.
- Managed entire shopping experience for client, putting together outfits and providing personalized style tips.
Visual Merchandiser
Wet Seal
06.2008 - 06.2012
- Maximized sales and visual impact through optimal arrangement of tables, fixtures and mannequins.
- Restructured merchandising strategy to promote high value and products.
- Helped customers locate desired items and assisted with carrying heavy loads.
- Taught sales staff to properly coordinate clothing racks and counter displays to maximize promotional effectiveness.
- Organized engaging front-facing displays to capture customer interest and drive revenue growth.
- Constructed and installed signs and sale banners for special events and clearances.
- Created presentation of merchandise to engage customers and help stimulate sales activity.
- Restocked shelves with current merchandise in attractive displays to promote sales.
- Developed creative visual merchandising campaigns to focus on selling older inventory.
- Executed merchandising and floor moves based on seasonal changes, business needs and trends.
- Demonstrated great teamwork skills with staff members involved in production and transport.
- Enhanced store and display appearance utilizing seasonal promotions and trends to drive strategy.
- Changed or rotated window displays, interior display areas or signage to reflect changes in inventory or promotion.
- Implemented corporate visual standards via planogram updates, emails and verbal feedback.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
Monroe Academy For Visual Arts & Design
Bronx, NY06.2008
Associate of Arts - Apparel And Accessories Marketing Operations
Interboro Institute
New York, NY06.2004
High School Diploma -
Fashion Industries High School
New York, NY06.2002
Skills
- Team Building and Motivation
- Brand Image Alignment
- Corporate Visual Objectives
- Interior Retail Displays
- Product Expertise
- Mannequin and Prop Maintenance
- Delegation and Supervision
- Sales Leadership
- Merchandise Quality Assurance
- Team Leadership Experience
- Good Communication Skills
- Results-Oriented Mindset
- Retail Industry Experience
- Persuasive Negotiation
- Relationship Building
- Superior Work Ethic
- Employee Supervision
- Team Management
- Employee Motivation
- Recruitment and hiring
- Report Writing
- Promotional planning
- Shrink management
- Customer Service
- Employee feedback
- Problem-Solving
- Multitasking and Organization
- Flexible Schedule
- Customer experience management
- Store Opening and Closing
- Employee Training
- Operations Management
- Retail Merchandise Quality Standards
- Payroll Management
- Store operations
- Employee Management
- Staff Supervision
- Inventory Management
- Scheduling Coordination
- Bank and Safe Deposits
- Policies and Procedures
- Store maintenance
- Budget Planning
- KPI Tracking
- Performance Assessment
Timeline
Assistant Store Director (Operations)
Saks OFF 5TH
08.2021 - Current
Key Holding Manager
Saks OFF 5TH
08.2020 - 02.2021
Retail Buyer
Glam Coalition
03.2018 - 03.2021
Personal Stylist
Bloomingdales Flagship
06.2012 - 10.2016
Visual Merchandiser
Wet Seal
06.2008 - 06.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
Monroe Academy For Visual Arts & Design
Associate of Arts - Apparel And Accessories Marketing Operations
Interboro Institute
High School Diploma -
Fashion Industries High School
Similar Profiles
YATNAIRA RIVERA RAMíREZYATNAIRA RIVERA RAMíREZ
HR Generalist at Saks Global- Saks Off 5th PADC DistributionHR Generalist at Saks Global- Saks Off 5th PADC Distribution
Ashley StevensAshley Stevens
Assistant Store Director at Saks OFF 5thAssistant Store Director at Saks OFF 5th
Sage ChristoffersonSage Christofferson
Sales Associate at Saks OFF 5THSales Associate at Saks OFF 5TH
Kaylin ParkerKaylin Parker
Sales Associate at Saks OFF 5THSales Associate at Saks OFF 5TH
Angelica MyersAngelica Myers
Customer Service Representative at ASC HoustonCustomer Service Representative at ASC Houston