Desare Ford
The Woodlands,TX
Summary
Highly self-motivated and adaptive professional with 16 years of experience working for a highly reputable, high-end outdoor furniture retailer in a wide range of positions. Solid team player with an upbeat, positive attitude looking to advance within the organization and contribute to its continual growth and success. Skilled at managing inventory and coordinating retail operations. Strengths include strategic planning, problem-solving ability, and data analysis to optimize efficiency.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Supply Planner
Chair King Backyard Store
Houston, TX
09.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with the Merchandising team to assess and update forecasts and attachment rates based on previous sales history.
- Coordinated inventory levels to meet seasonal demand fluctuations.
- Maintained service levels through effective management of safety stocks for nearly 400 SKUs across two markets.
- Executed daily operations tasks such as creating purchase orders and reconciling discrepancies with suppliers.
- Collaborated with the Imports department in tracking shipments from vendors, monitored delivery times, and provided feedback on performance issues.
Assistant Buyer
Chair King Backyard Store
Houston, TX
03.2022 - 09.2023
- Analyzed upcoming assortments and ensured all SKU configurations were been created.
- Assisted in building, tracking, and updating photo sample purchase orders from start to finish.
- Updated photography requests on the internal photoshoot log and monitored status of workflow through completion.
- Managed and tracked all samples for photoshoots by coordinating with vendors, buyers, and the production team.
- Collaborated with all Buyers and marketing team to ensure all photography requests and concerns are communicated to the studio team.
- Ensured that all product information was provided to support upcoming marketing and eCommerce campaigns, including SKUs for promotional codes, dimensions and weights of products, special care instructions, etc.
- Attended Production and Marketing meetings weekly to collaborate with creative teams on sample needs.
- Ensure all product details are communicated to the production team to assist in creating content for sales sheets and training material for store operations.
- Assisted in creating stock orders and coordinated with vendors.
Customer Service Lead
Chair King & Fortunoff Backyard Store
Houston, USA
04.2021 - 03.2022
- Utilized active listening skills and asked open-ended questions to ascertain customer call needs.
- Consulted with customers regarding needs and addressed concerns.
- Answer product questions on both company websites through Power Reviews.
- Extensive product and procedure knowledge specific to the company and outdoor furniture industry.
- Engage in Live Chats with visitors to both company websites and maintain a 96% Live Chat customer satisfaction rating.
- Assist in creating training materials.
- Reply to Google reviews through Birdeye and Sprout as well as website reviews through Power Reviews.
- Reply to customer complaints on social media outlets.
- Manage sales backlog for online purchases made on both websites.
- Work closely with executives and other departments to achieve common goals.
- Order weekly catering and communicate weekly lunch plans for corporate employees.
- Coached, monitored and motivated new agents to boost performance and enhance job knowledge.
Customer Service Representative
Chair King & Fortunoff Backyard Store
Houston, USA
10.2020 - 04.2021
- De-escalated problematic customer concerns, maintaining calm, friendly demeanor.
- Fielded customer complaints and queries, fast-tracking them for problem resolution.
- Explained benefits, features and recommendations to maximize customer retention.
- Escalated customer concerns, issues and requirements to supervisors for immediate rectification.
- Extensive product and procedure knowledge specific to the company and outdoor furniture industry.
- Engage in live chats with visitors to the company websites.
- Submit and track warranty submissions from start to finish.
Assistant Store Manager
Chair King Backyard Store
The Woodlands, USA
07.2016 - 03.2020
- Assisted customers with selection and purchase from start to finish.
- Oversaw daily operations of store, including inventory and supply restocking, cash-handling and assisting customers.
- Assisted customers, answered questions and resolved problems for stellar customer service.
- Checked monthly sales and performance reports to support operational planning and strategic decision-making.
- Extensive product and procedure knowledge specific to the company and the outdoor furniture industry.
- Managed sales backlog for store and personal sales.
- Consistently met sales quotas.
- Received weekly trucks, executed proper tagging and display of products and made inventory adjustments.
- Assisted colleagues in the sales process and meeting sales quotas.
- Performed daily close out report and submitted daily bank deposits.
- Worked closely with other departments in the company to ensure the process runs smoothly from purchase to delivery of furniture.
Sales Associate
Chair King Backyard Store
The Woodlands, USA
07.2007 - 09.2014
- Assisting customers in selection and purchase from start to finish.
- Built trusting relationships with customers by making personal connections.
- Coordinated activities with other departments to ensure quality customer service.
- Worked with fellow sales team members to achieve group targets.
- Maintained knowledge of current promotions, exchange guidelines, payment policies and security practices.
- Retained product, service and company policy knowledge to serve as resource for both coworkers and customers.
- Managing sales backlog of personal sales.
- Arranged new merchandise with signage and appealing displays to encourage customer sales and move overstock items.
- Consistently met or exceeded sales quotas.
Education
High school diploma -
Oak Ridge High School
Oak Ridge North, TX05.2006
Skills
- Ability to collaborate cross functionally
- Detail oriented
- Understanding of inter-company operational procedures
- Proficient in Excel
- Understanding of the FROG ERP system and reporting
- Vendor coordination
- Ability to perform under pressure in a fast paced environment
Timeline
Supply Planner
Chair King Backyard Store
09.2023 - Current
Assistant Buyer
Chair King Backyard Store
03.2022 - 09.2023
Customer Service Lead
Chair King & Fortunoff Backyard Store
04.2021 - 03.2022
Customer Service Representative
Chair King & Fortunoff Backyard Store
10.2020 - 04.2021
Assistant Store Manager
Chair King Backyard Store
07.2016 - 03.2020
Sales Associate
Chair King Backyard Store
07.2007 - 09.2014
High school diploma -
Oak Ridge High School