Catherine Forster Hoffman
Pahoa,HI
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
Boulevard Home Furnishings
10.2022 - 11.2023
- Directed operational strategy, enhancing efficiency across multiple departments.
- Implemented performance metrics to assess team productivity and streamline processes.
- Cultivated strong relationships with stakeholders to drive business growth and collaboration.
- Mentored management team, fostering leadership skills and professional development.
- Analyzed market trends to inform strategic planning and decision-making initiatives.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Drove the successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.
- Addressed customer complaints and feedback with immediate action, turning dissatisfied customers into loyal patrons.
- Developed and executed comprehensive employee training program, elevating staff skills and improving service delivery.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement, introducing regular review sessions that boosted team performance and morale.
Neighborhood Store Manager
Disney Stores
08.2021 - 09.2022
- Oversaw daily store operations, ensuring compliance with Disney's standards and policies.
- Led a team of 30+, fostering a collaborative environment to enhance customer service excellence.
- Implemented inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and reduce shrinkage.
- Developed training programs for new staff, enhancing product knowledge and sales techniques.
- Coordinated promotional events, driving foot traffic and increasing brand visibility in the community.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust merchandise strategies accordingly.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, providing feedback to staff to promote continuous improvement.
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
- Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
- Maximized sales by creating innovative visual merchandising displays and store layouts.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for staff members, providing constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Fostered a positive work environment by cultivating strong relationships between team members through team-building activities and consistent recognition of individual achievements.
- Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge, and service requirements.
- Managed financial aspects of store operations, including budget planning, expense tracking, and accurate record-keeping to maintain fiscal responsibility.
- Optimized labor scheduling according to store needs while adhering to budget constraints, maximizing productivity without compromising service quality.
- Oversaw loss prevention efforts, minimizing shrinkage by implementing effective security measures and training staff on proper procedures.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Optimized checkout process to reduce wait times, improving customer satisfaction scores.
- Fostered culture of excellence and accountability among staff, resulting in higher employee morale and lower turnover rates.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
Flagship Store Director
Mars Retail Group
01.2016 - Current
- Utilized process management skills to streamline programs and create operational efficiencies that maximized store profit and reduced expenses year over year. Created best practices for total store chain which improved focus on guest service by delivering SMILE Selling Skills training program. Responsibility increased to multi-unit stores to include location in Henderson, NV. Changed a task focused environment into a guest focused environment enabling implementation of a "Entertainment" experience for guests creating impactful memories associated with our M&M's brand.
- Increased sales 10% within first year and a half which achieved Best Sales Year Ever for the Flagship store
- Owned overall business plan and guest experience to grow sales to over 33 million
- Identified opportunity with GWP (gift w/purchase) sales to convert to PWP (purchase w/purchase) which added 3 million dollars to top line sales and improved margin and profitability
- Significantly Improved Gallup Survey .47 to 4.43 for Grand Mean over 2 year period for total store team engagement
- Implemented High Performance Collaboration culture within my leadership team; focused on leading with Strengths
Store Manager
THE CHILDREN'S PLACE
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Responsible for leading the store teams in driving sales, brand loyalty, setting expectation for exceptional customer service as well as recruiting and developing top retail talent. Fueled growth of the business by developing future leaders for the internal pipeline and networking with external talent to build a solid talent succession plan.
- DM in training over Southwest District with stores in CA, CO, UT, NV, AZ and TX. Coached each store manager to develop action plans and set goals for continued growth meeting the districts overall plan.
- Propelled store to #1 in sales in district with highest ranked customer experience survey scores
- Surpassed sales performance to plan while continuing to increase comp sales as well
- Continually exceeded annual in-house credit card goals, #1 in district and top 25 in the company
- Lead all aspects of a retail operation: customer satisfaction, personnel and payroll management, merchandising, P&L, inventory, operations and loss prevention
- Chosen as the Trainer to on board all new Store Sales Managers and acted as a mentor to peers
Store Manager
VICTORIA'S SECRET
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Hired and selected to turnaround an underperforming store in sales, payroll control, shrink and guest surveys. Implemented best practices, held team accountable to performance and rewarded positive accomplishments.
- Delivered top line sales results and grew the business through business insight to action. Increased sales by a minimum of +10% to plan annually and an average of +15% to LY.
- Drove Brand initiatives and strategies through extensive sales education, product launches, events, Brand promotions and Product Testing.
- Lead and demonstrated the company values at all times. Trained and developed team on ability to gain business insights through reviewing store results and linking behaviors to actions.
Store Team Leader
TARGET CORPORATION
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Selected to open a new store, projected highest sales volume in the district. Additionally, the first Target in Las Vegas with a Starbucks and expanded grocery. Led a team of 10 salaried Executive Team Leaders, 22 hourly team leaders and over 200 team members to make our Target the shopping destination of choice for our guests while providing outstanding value and amazing guest service. Owned overall business to drive efficiency and grow sales to over 35 million.
- Recruited, hired and trained a passionate team for area specific knowledge and expertise. Invested in training to enhance skills and capabilities.
- Created sustainable talent strategy to fuel continued team growth, with over 15 promotions from within the store team.
- Leveraged all reports (financial, operational, team and guest) to understand my business and make informed decisions.
- Understand sales trends and led my team to drive sales growth in core businesses (style, beauty, electronics, food and beverage, pharmacy) by leaning into key seasons, events and weekends.
- Always demonstrated a culture of ethical conduct, safety and compliance. Led and held the team accountable to work in the same way. Cultivate a guest-centric and engaged team.
- Total Store Operational Score above goal of 90% at 98% for first year open and 95% the second year.
- District Trainer for Driving Profitable Sales and Leading in a Union Free Workplace
- District Training store for Store Team Leaders and Executive Team Leaders
- District Assessment Captain, oversaw all Operational Assessments for each store and worked with the Store Team Leaders to develop action plans to ensure entire district was operationally sound
- District Safety Captain, conducted Safety Assessments, led and directed store safety captains and leaders to meet all safety protocols and goals
Store Team Leader
TARGET CORPORATION
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Advanced through promotions to become Store Team Leader of $27M location with 150+ team members. Responsible for the overall effectiveness of store teams, providing leadership in all merchandising, operational and personnel functions.
- Committed to keeping Target stores the best in the industry. Focused on sales, return on investment, guest goodwill and team member satisfaction.
- Increased sales from +3% to +19% over previous year
- Improved controllable profit margin from 11% to 28%
- Exceeded Target Visa goal by reaching 116%
Executive Team Leader • Logistics and Soft Lines
TARGET CORPORATION
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Ensured the best in guest service, merchandising, push/replenishment process, productivity and strategic planning.
- Proactively identified opportunities, proposed solutions and followed through on implementation.
- Provided direct supervision to Team Leaders. Coached, mentored and promoted store Team Members.
- Opened March 2003 New Store in Las Vegas after only being in position 6 months
- District Assessment Captain, Store Assessment Captain
Education
Associate - undefined
Certification
driver's license
Timeline
General Manager
Boulevard Home Furnishings
10.2022 - 11.2023
Neighborhood Store Manager
Disney Stores
08.2021 - 09.2022
Flagship Store Director
Mars Retail Group
01.2016 - Current
Store Manager
THE CHILDREN'S PLACE
01.2012 - 01.2016
Store Manager
VICTORIA'S SECRET
01.2009 - 01.2012
Store Team Leader
TARGET CORPORATION
01.2006 - 01.2009
Store Team Leader
TARGET CORPORATION
01.2004 - 01.2006
Executive Team Leader • Logistics and Soft Lines
TARGET CORPORATION
01.2000 - 01.2004