Dan Sakowicz
Gallatin,TN
Summary
Performance-driven professional with almost 30 years of results driven success. Experienced in multiple business units including field operations, corporate operations, project management, merchandise buying and private label strategy. Well-versed in identifying and capitalizing on market trends while managing concurrent objectives to influence and achieve positive outcomes.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Director- Sr. Brand Manager, Private Brands
Dollar General Corporate
Goodlettsville, TN
02.2014 - Current
- Managed over $700 million in annual revenue through strategic planning and implementation of programs with full P&L accountability.
- Executed sourcing, negotiation, merchandising, and promotion strategies across multiple categories including Candy, Snacks, and Beverages.
- Developed new products and initiatives to enhance category performance and align with consumer demands.
- Directed negotiation of key business relationships and programs to secure favorable terms and contracts.
- Collaborated with product development teams to identify scaling opportunities for various programs.
- Analyzed sales trends to optimize product offerings and maximize revenue potential.
- Sourced new vendors to improve product variety and increase profit margins at each store location.
- Led projects ensuring timely delivery of materials by building competitive bidding environments with diverse suppliers.
Buyer
Dollar General Corporate
Goodlettsville, TN
02.2011 - 02.2014
- Managed up to $400 million in annual sales with full P&L accountability for category performance.
- Executed strategy through sourcing, negotiation, merchandising and promotion.
- Negotiated favorable contracts and determined lowest possible cost, factoring in quality and reliability, by analyzing data.
- Researched competitors and sourced new vendors.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to meet customer requirements and market demands.
- Analyzed sales trends to maximize sales potential.
- Built competitive bidding environment with broad range of suppliers.
- Led sourcing projects to maintain on-time delivery of purchased materials.
- Assessed trends and inventory usage to provide maximum product coverage for different time frames.
- Recommended optimal suppliers after qualifying vendors and evaluating proposals.
- Performed detailed reviewed of high and low-performing products.
- Sourced new vendors and suppliers to boost product offerings and increase profit margins at each store location.
Project Manager - Store Operations
Dollar General Corporate
Goodlettsville, TN
04.2008 - 01.2011
- Launched new programs for more than 9,000 store locations.
- Researched, sourced, tested and implemented new merchandising concepts.
- Served as a liaison between field and corporate personnel.
Retail District Manager
Dollar General
Goodlettsville, TN
03.2002 - 04.2008
- Managed up to 20 retail locations with full responsibility to ensure performance goals were met/exceeded.
- Recruited, hired, trained and mentored store managers.
- Continuously audited stores operations, improving inventory shrinkage and reducing cash discrepancies.
- Prevented stores losses using awareness and attention to detail to detect gaps for corrective action.
- Returned stores to profitability by reviewing operations, implementing improvements, restructuring frameworks, hiring talented staff and enhancing training programs.
Various
Circuit City
03.1993 - 03.2002
- Store Director March 2000 - March 2002
- Operations Manager October 1999 - March 2000
- Sales Manager March 1997 - October 1999
- Retail Sales June 1995 - March 1997
- Customer Service March 1993 - June 1995
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Business
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KSHigh School Diploma -
Waubonsie Valley High School
Aurora, IL06.1994
Skills
- Leadership & communication skills
- Experienced in contract negotiation
- Product assortment selection
- Project management
- Strategic Planning
- Sales analysis
- Performance and growth tracking
- Budget formulation
Accomplishments
- Experienced Buyer driven to manage costs and establish strategic, mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships with vendors while managing large scale business units in retail, merchandising, and procurement/buying.
- Core Strengths include Leadership, Communication Skills, Contract Negotiations, Budgeting, Product Line Expansion Project.
- Designated as operations representative to interact with DG Racing Team.
- Sales & Leadership Management: Led the turn around for 7 under performing districts to performance that met or exceeded goals.
- Increased store location ranking from 475 to 66 out of 500 stores as a first time store manager.
Project Management
- Successfully launched the following program roll outs that exceeded both sales and profitability targets: Beer, Wine & Liquor Program, Rug Doctor Sales Program, Propane Sales Program, Better For You Assortment.
- Launched and managed numerous Private Brand strategies, products and initiatives.
- Enhanced several Brand strategies, products and initiatives.
- Grew regional snack product lines from 700 stores to over 4,000 stores.
- Spearheaded new and innovative programs for all store locations. Selected out of 500 possible internal candidates.
Sales & Leadership Management:
- Led the turn around for 7 under performing districts to performance that met or exceeded goals.
- Increased store location ranking from 475 to 66 out of 500 stores as a first time store manager.
Awards & Recognition
- ECRM Retail Panel Advisor
- 2013 Buyer of the Year Award recipient
- Top Store Manager of the Month
- Monthly Sales Leader Awards
Timeline
Director- Sr. Brand Manager, Private Brands
Dollar General Corporate
02.2014 - Current
Buyer
Dollar General Corporate
02.2011 - 02.2014
Project Manager - Store Operations
Dollar General Corporate
04.2008 - 01.2011
Retail District Manager
Dollar General
03.2002 - 04.2008
Various
Circuit City
03.1993 - 03.2002
Some College (No Degree) - Business
University of Kansas
High School Diploma -
Waubonsie Valley High School
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