Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Donna (Beth) Alford

Retail Sales Manager
Equality,AL

Summary

Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Harbor Freight Tools USA, adept in boosting revenue and enhancing team performance through strategic sales planning and exceptional customer engagement. Skilled in Microsoft Applications and fostering professional growth, I excel in driving sales strategies and managing operations, achieving significant customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience

Work History

Retail Sales Manager

Harbor Freight Tools USA
04.2018 - Current
  • Facilitated high volumes of cash, credit, and gift card transactions, verifying cash drawer balance at end of each day.
  • Trained new sales associates on company policies, selling techniques, and customer service best practices to maximize their potential.
  • Maintained company's visual merchandise standards through general housekeeping and planograms.
  • Analyzed sales data and trends to identify areas for improvement in both individual and team performance, leading to increased revenue.
  • Addressed customer complaints professionally and efficiently, resulting in satisfied customers who continued to patronize the store.
  • Recruited, hired and trained associates to develop into productive team members with excellent product knowledge.
  • Maintained a clean and organized storefront at all times by enforcing strict housekeeping standards across the entire team.
  • Developed strong customer relationships through attentive service and expert product knowledge, resulting in repeat business.
  • Managed inventory effectively to minimize stock shortages and ensure optimal levels of merchandise for maximum sales.
  • Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
  • Made/Exceeded sales goals and accomplished business objectives by inspiring staff and promoting target products.
  • Worked closely with upper management to develop short-term and long-term goals for the store, aligning objectives with the company''s mission and vision.
  • Greeted all customers cheerfully and asked open-ended questions to ascertain needs.
  • Evaluated employee performance regularly, conducting annual reviews and providing constructive feedback to encourage growth and improvement.
  • Coordinated special events within the store such as product launches or promotional activities that generated excitement among customers.
  • Coached sales associates in sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Managed day-to-day staffing and handled scheduling for all store employees.
  • Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems, and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets.
  • Provided ongoing coaching and feedback to sales associates, fostering an environment conducive to learning and professional growth.
  • Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
  • Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.
  • Held one-on-one meetings with sales team members to identify selling hurdles and offered insight into best remedy.
  • Make sure all associates know and understand policies as related to attendance, LOA, FMLA.
  • Assist with benefit questions.
  • Have open door policy with all associates to promote a sense of team within the store.
  • Have been sent by District Managers to several other stores to assist with inventories, training, and filling in when store managers were on extended leave or when a store was in the process of hiring managers/other leadership.
  • I have been the acting manager at my store on occasion when our store manager was out or assisting in another store.
  • Working knowledge and Subject Matter Expert in all processes including, but not limited to, Planograms, Floor First Receiving, Cycle Counts, Out Scans, Point of Sale, and Pricing.

Director

Community Corrections
07.2015 - 04.2018
  • Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
  • Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
  • Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impact to program or community.
  • Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen the program.
  • Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors for reduced costs and improved service quality.
  • Secured lucrative partnerships to expand the reach of the program and to provide services for my clients to assist in their rehabilitation.
  • Navigated program through periods of significant change, maintaining focus on long-term strategic goals.
  • Interacted well with community to build connections and nurture relationships.
  • Observed each client's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
  • Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine program's offerings.
  • Managed approximately 50 people convicted of felonies living at home.
  • Submitted annual budget requests to the county commission for approval.
  • Conducted in-person home visits and job verifications to ensure compliance and strengthen business relationships with families and employers.
  • Ensure all medical and drug-testing paperwork was handled in accordance with HIPPA and no instance of practices violated offenders' rights or the law.

Administrative Assistant III

Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles
09.1999 - 07.2015
  • Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information by adhering to strict privacy policies and implementing secure filing systems.
  • Promoted a positive work environment through effective communication skills and fostering professional relationships among colleagues.
  • Improved document organization with thorough file maintenance, archiving outdated records as necessary for efficient retrieval when needed.
  • Coordinated office supply inventory management, proactively ordering necessary items before depletion to avoid workflow disruptions.
  • Supervised a caseload of probation and parolees.
  • Worked with other law enforcement agencies and criminal court personnel.
  • Prepared reports for the court and the Parole Board.
  • Trained new administrative employees and new probation and parole officers.
  • Training included different types of harassment in the workplace, FMLA, effective interrogation and investigative techniques, NCIC background checks, effective interviewing, and other managerial, legal, and HR training during my 26 year tenure with the state.
  • Conducted and researched criminal backgrounds.

Business Manager

Alabama Department Of Corrections
10.1995 - 09.1999
  • Improved operational workflows by identifying areas of inefficiency and implementing appropriate solutions.
  • Negotiated contracts with suppliers and vendors, securing favorable terms for the company while maintaining strong relationships.
  • Oversaw financial operations, maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance.
  • Assisted with hiring process and training of new employees.
  • Implemented cost-cutting measures, resulting in substantial savings for the organization without compromising on quality or performance.
  • Anticipated financial impact from operational issues and worked with leadership to develop solutions.
  • Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging employee input on process optimization efforts.
  • Conducted detailed analyses to inform strategic planning and decision-making processes.
  • Cultivated culture of continuous improvement by encouraging innovation and critical thinking within team.
  • Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
  • Interacted well with the public to build connections and nurture relationships.
  • Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
  • Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
  • Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
  • Prepared and submitted annual budget to the Central Office for approval.
  • Attended budget meetings and prepared for said meetings with budget reports, quotes for contract work, and financial forecasts.
  • Paid all bills, reconciled bank statements, and coded all expenses and payments with accounting software.
  • Handled employee benefit coordination and made sure employees were aware of their benefits and laws applicable to their individual situations. Made sure all applicable paperwork for leaves and FMLA were requested, received, and sent to the appropriate division.
  • Made sure payroll department was aware of separations that would affect payroll and/or payment of COBRA insurance.
  • Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
  • Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
  • Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms.

Administrative Assistant I/II

Alabama Department of Corrections
03.1991 - 10.1995
  • Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information by adhering to strict privacy policies and implementing secure filing systems.
  • Ensured accurate record-keeping with diligent data entry and database management for vital department information.
  • Promoted a positive work environment through effective communication skills and fostering professional relationships among colleagues.
  • Improved document organization with thorough file maintenance, archiving outdated records as necessary for efficient retrieval when needed.
  • Coordinated office supply inventory management, proactively ordering necessary items before depletion to avoid workflow disruptions.
  • Supported executive staff through scheduling meetings, coordinating travel arrangements, and preparing crucial documents.
  • Assisted with human resources tasks such as updating employee files or submitting time-off requests per company policy guidelines.
  • Assisted in onboarding new employees, providing training materials, and coordinating orientation schedules to ensure a smooth integration into the team.
  • Optimized calendar management for executives by scheduling appointments strategically while considering priorities and minimizing conflicts.
  • Organized office events such as holiday parties or team-building activities, promoting a positive company culture and boosting employee morale.
  • Collaborated on special projects as assigned by leadership, contributing findings or coordinating event logistics as needed for success.
  • Assisted with the planning and organizing of state and national organization conferences. Served as board member for several organizations.
  • Investigated and answered inmate grievances and court-requested affidavits.
  • Transferred inmates in the computer and conducted institutional counts.
  • Assisted the Lt's office, Deputy Warden, and shift offices.
  • Cross-trained to work most every clerical position in the institution.
  • Data entry duties in classification to ensure that inmates were transferred to appropriate correctional institutions and received the correct rehabilitation based on need and custody.
  • Assisted other employees with leaves and benefits.

Education

Paralegal/Business

Draughn's Junior College And Central Alabama CC
Montgomery, AL And Alexander City, AL

Skills

  • Customer Service
  • Retail Operations
  • Sales expertise
  • Driven Work Ethic
  • Management
  • Decision-Making
  • Customer Engagement
  • Cash Handling
  • Store Opening and Closing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Supervision
  • Delegating Work
  • Upselling strategies
  • Training and mentoring
  • Sales Team Leadership
  • Inventory Management
  • Sales Forecasting
  • Strategic Planning
  • Product Merchandising
  • Marketing Strategies
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Promotions and specials
  • Staff Development
  • Staff Scheduling
  • Cross-selling techniques
  • Sales Strategy Implementation
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Display Maintenance
  • Revenue Growth
  • Staff Oversight
  • Brand Awareness
  • Product Demonstrations
  • Budget Administration
  • Scheduling Employees
  • Sales Metrics Analysis
  • Process Development
  • Sales Coaching
  • Revenue Forecasting
  • Employee Performance Management
  • Productivity maximization
  • Promotional planning
  • Account Management
  • Shrink Reduction
  • Financial Reporting
  • Lead Generation
  • Time Management
  • Relationship Building
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Sales process
  • Sales Tracking
  • Customer Complaint Resolution
  • Rapport and relationship building
  • Networking Events
  • Sales Reporting
  • Product and Service Promotion
  • Employee Retention
  • Sales Projections
  • Goal Setting and Achievement
  • Sales coordination
  • Client Base Retention
  • Sales Records Management
  • Budgeting and Expenditures
  • Account Servicing
  • Customer Order Management
  • Sales Presentations
  • Document Management
  • Sales processes
  • Data Analytics
  • Operating Procedures and Policies
  • Pre-sales support
  • Database Management
  • Operations Management
  • Review of contracts
  • Marketing Strategy Development
  • Account Acquisition
  • Extensive personal network
  • Profitability Assessments
  • Performance Evaluations
  • Direct Sales
  • Promotional sales events
  • Team Recruiting and Onboarding
  • Sales Program Coordination
  • Change Management
  • Typing 90 words per minute
  • Benefits
  • HIPPA
  • Forklift Certified
  • Microsoft Applications proficient
  • Scheduling and Payroll applications

Hobbies

Hobbies include singing, crafting, house and yard decorating, DIY projects, and spending time with grown children and grandchildren.

Additional Information

I love working for Harbor Freight. Working for this company has broadened my managerial skills from my former career (retired) in law enforcement and business office management. I took business, law enforcement, social sciences,paralegal, and psychology classes in college. I don't have a degree, but what I lack in formal education I more than make up for in employment training and life skills. I am looking to further my skillset. I never apply for a position that I think is too much for me to handle or that I am not positive I can be successful and an asset. I retired from my state career (26 1/2 years), but have many more work years ahead of me.

Timeline

Retail Sales Manager

Harbor Freight Tools USA
04.2018 - Current

Director

Community Corrections
07.2015 - 04.2018

Administrative Assistant III

Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles
09.1999 - 07.2015

Business Manager

Alabama Department Of Corrections
10.1995 - 09.1999

Administrative Assistant I/II

Alabama Department of Corrections
03.1991 - 10.1995

Paralegal/Business

Draughn's Junior College And Central Alabama CC

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Donna (Beth) AlfordRetail Sales Manager