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
San Jose
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
San Jose, CA
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
San Jose, CA
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
San Jose, CA
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
San Jose, CA
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
San Jose, CA
- 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