Brandon Lem
Burnsville,MN
Summary
Senior operations leader with 10+ years of experience running high-volume retail and project-based operations in complex, high-pressure environments. Currently operating at senior leadership scope within a $50M business, supporting 180 team members and 18 leaders while owning labor strategy, payroll allocation, leader performance, and culture transformation. Known for stabilizing underperforming operations, developing leaders, and delivering results during peak demand, crisis periods, and rapid change. Seeking long-term growth at Amazon as a Sr. Operations Manager.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Team Lead, Human Resources (Senior Operations Leadership Role)
TARGET CORPORATION
Minneapolis, USA
02.2024 - Current
- Serve as a senior leader for a $50M operation, partnering directly with the Store Director to drive business performance, labor strategy, and leadership effectiveness; regularly act as the primary decision-maker during Store Director absences.
- Own workforce planning, staffing models, and payroll allocation, contributing to +7% year-over-year sales growth while maintaining payroll discipline.
- Reduced total team member turnover by 30% and leader turnover by 80% through direct coaching, role realignment, and clear accountability.
- Led turnaround of a long-term underperforming “red store,” removing it from the red list after four consecutive years through consistent execution, leader development, and cultural reset.
- Established and enforced operating rhythms including leader huddles, business reviews, and Business Leader Connection forums, improving communication, ownership, and decision quality across leadership teams.
- Own performance management for the entire store, including corrective action and terminations, while coaching leaders on delivering difficult feedback and holding standards.
- Improved hiring speed and execution, filling team member roles in under 10 days and leadership roles within 21 days, strengthening peak readiness and operational stability.
- Partner closely with HR, safety, and operations leaders to ensure compliance with ADA, wage & hour, minors, and workplace safety standards.
- $50M Annual Volume | 180 Team Members | 18 Leaders
Project Manager / Interim Store Operations Leader
CB2
07.2021 - 03.2023
- Selected from 24 Store Managers to lead nationwide store openings, closures, and turnaround projects for high-volume locations.
- Led cross-functional teams of 50–100 team members, including store leaders, corporate partners, logistics teams, and external vendors.
- Owned execution timelines with three-week windows from construction handoff to customer-ready openings, managing labor, inventory flow, merchandising, training, and risk.
- Successfully opened and closed 10 store locations nationwide, ensuring operational readiness, staffing, safety compliance, and customer experience.
- Recruited, hired, and trained 75+ team members across multiple openings; led university recruiting events to build long-term talent pipelines.
- Managed labor budgets, inventory planning, and operational execution, consistently delivering projects within approved labor plans.
Retail Store Manager
CB2
12.2020 - 03.2022
- Led turnaround of a high-volume Minneapolis location during COVID and periods of local civil unrest.
- Reversed a 20% sales decline, ending the year +7% to goal through labor optimization, loss prevention, staffing strategy, and operational discipline.
- Redesigned backroom and warehouse workflows, increasing omnichannel sales from 22% to 43% of total sales while reducing labor hours by 10–15% weekly.
- Developed and promoted high-performing team members into leadership roles, improving retention and building a sustainable leadership bench.
- Selected as a company-wide training store due to operational and leadership performance.
Retail Store Manager
PIER 1 IMPORTS
10.2012 - 03.2020
- Led high-volume retail operations with full responsibility for staffing, labor forecasting, inventory accuracy, and customer experience.
- Managed peak seasons where up to 60% of annual sales occurred within a three-month period.
- Improved retention and productivity through consistent coaching, performance feedback, and leader development.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Criminal Justice / Police Science
Des Moines Area Community College
Des MoinesDes Moines
Skills
- Operations leadership
- Labor and payroll strategy
- Leadership development
- Performance management
- Process optimization
- Workforce planning
- Change management
- High-pressure execution
Websites
Timeline
Executive Team Lead, Human Resources (Senior Operations Leadership Role)
TARGET CORPORATION
02.2024 - Current
Project Manager / Interim Store Operations Leader
CB2
07.2021 - 03.2023
Retail Store Manager
CB2
12.2020 - 03.2022
Retail Store Manager
PIER 1 IMPORTS
10.2012 - 03.2020
Some College (No Degree) - Criminal Justice / Police Science
Des Moines Area Community College