CANDICE GURUWAIYA
San Jose,CA
Summary
Highly motivated and passionate results driven professional with an eye for talent. A solution oriented leader with a passion for training and development, visual merchandising and operational excellence. Proven track record of success driving sales and store operations. Recognized as a strong leader who is able to develop individuals in both a direct and indirect reporting structure. Excellent ability to prioritize, plan and organize tasks and responsibilities.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Store Manager
HomeGoods
07.2021 - Current
- Collaborates with fellow leadership team in the areas of Merchandising, Operations, Customer Service, and Human Resources within a high-volume store
- Manages the daily activity of the sales floor, stockroom, front end and cash office that directly store's KPIs
- Enhances store appearance for increased sales by maintaining cleanliness and implementing strategic merchandise displays
- Supervises creation and execution of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of customers and drive profitable sales
- Actively identifies and proactively resolve issues negatively impacting operations
- Responds to customer concerns and assists in resolving escalated customer issues effectively
- Fosters a positive work culture by launching staff engagement programs, promoting teamwork and recognizing individual achievements among staff members regularly that has increased operational quality
- Mentors new associates on company policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure their success and potential development within the organization
- Assisted in the improvement of store's TJX Rewards Program results by delivering a positive increase to 107% LY
Co-Manager/Assistant Store Manager
Loft
11.2018 - 05.2021
- Assisted in directing all activities required to achieve all store goals - including financial objectives, client services, human resource management, operational controls, payroll and operating expenses, loss prevention, and merchandise presentation while driving both associate and client engagement
- Analyzed business reports to identify, gain understanding and recommended solutions for missed opportunities to ultimately have a positive impact on the store performance
- Adhered to Human Resource standards by following the general practices outlined in Ann Inc. Company policies, procedures, standards and guidelines
- Reviewed and analyzed merchandise reporting to to help support inventory planning and maintain inventory levels
- Executed continuous visual merchandising updates and product placement within corporate guidelines
- Maintained visual expectations as defined by company visual merchandising standards
- Leveraged tools, processes and best-practices to drive operational excellence and consistently execute standard operating procedures
- Consistently developed associates to help achieve store's business objectives through recruitment, selection, coaching, engagement, retention and motivation
- Educated staff on client service standards, store culture, marketing initiatives, product placement, lifestyle concepts and product knowledge
- Implemented plans to achieve KPI goals (e.g Financial performance, SHRINK, Customer Loyalty Program and productivity)
- Raised our Ann Taylor Credit Card and Rewards program results from 57% YTD to 104% YTD over 2 years.
- Actively managed and followed up with associate client service skills by providing both in the moment coaching and one on one coaching
Business Operation Manager
Old Navy
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Assisted in directing day-to-day operations of a 45,000 sq Ft. store that generated ~$6.1M in annual revenue
- Responsible for driving profitable sales growth through operational efficiencies and talent development through conducting all brand associate trainings (cash wrap, fitting room, sales floor, markdowns, signage/promotions, damages and defectives, shipment, store compliance, loss prevention, replenishment, brand loyalty, etc.)
- Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly tracking of KPIs and overall business performance to diagnose areas of opportunity
- Weekly writing of effective schedules and store workload planning
- Completing and ensuring the completion of timesheets for the store by all leaders
- Managed payroll and completed weekly processes of updating Personnel Management system
- Hired for both core and seasonal staff to meet staffing needs
- Upheld company driven Standard Operating Procedures through proper training of leadership team and brand associates
- Was responsible for conducting the monthly Store Compliance Audit and ensuring the completion of the Daily Store Compliance Audit - which resulted in the store passing the official S.C.A in February 2018 (conducted by Gap Inc.) with a passing score of 91%
- Developed and implemented effective communication techniques to use with brand associates and leadership team
- Responsible for all employee engagement - brand associate of the month, birthday celebrations, break room cleanliness, brand loyalty contests
- Key driver in meeting brand goals in of all brand loyalty components - Old Navy Cards, Bright Rewards Program, Orders In Store, Buy Online & Pick Up In store, Super cash activation and redemption, Mobile Point of Sale
- Responsible for store's active role with volunteering within the community as the Be What's Possible Community Leader for store #6210.
Business and Training Specialist
Old Navy
03.2014 - 08.2015
- Assisted with the training of all brand associates - focusing on POS, fitting room, sales floor, logistics and brand loyalty trainings
- Shared the responsibility for the of hiring of core staff and seasonal staffing needs
- Conducted New Employee Orientations and trainings on a weekly basis
- Assisted in the hiring and training of a staff equaling 110 people during the peak Holiday seasons
- Assisted in maintaining a core staff of 65-75 people
Merchandising Specialist
Old Navy
11.2013 - 03.2014
- Responsible for driving sales in the Girl's, Boy's, Toddler Girl, Toddler Boy and Newborn departments through company provided visual merchandising
- Maintained visual displays, as well as standards, markdowns and signage within responsible departments
- Managed new shipment arrivals in partnership with fellow store merchandiser and logistics associates
Brand Associate
Old Navy
- Took part in the day to day business needs (e.g Point of sale, outfit builder, customer service)
- Logistics expert (e.g shipment processing, conducting markdowns and conducting signage to display new in-store promotions)
- Attended to customers in the fitting room, providing excellent customer service on the sales floor and completing sales at the cash wrap.
Education
Associate of Science - Fashion Marketing And Management
Art Institute Of California
San Francisco, CA06.2015
Skills
- Customer Service
- Performance Management
- Sales Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Visual Merchandising
- Hiring and Onboarding
- Microsoft Office
- Sales Forecasting
Timeline
Assistant Store Manager
HomeGoods
07.2021 - Current
Co-Manager/Assistant Store Manager
Loft
11.2018 - 05.2021
Business Operation Manager
Old Navy
08.2015 - 07.2016
Business and Training Specialist
Old Navy
03.2014 - 08.2015
Merchandising Specialist
Old Navy
11.2013 - 03.2014
Brand Associate
Old Navy
Associate of Science - Fashion Marketing And Management
Art Institute Of California
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