Joel Frye
Bryant,AR
Summary
Motivated, passionate leader with 33 years of experience in retail store operations. Uniquely skilled at motivating sales teams to produce high-volume revenue results. Strong abilities in business operations, work-force scheduling, and customer satisfaction.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Store Manager
Kroger
Little Rock, AR
07.2013 - Current
- Worked with customer service representatives to handle escalated customer issues.
- Established and modeled company's service expectations by utilizing good communication skills.
- Supervised 100 co-workers.
- Mentored employees to help improve skills and enable team members to become peak performers on job.
- Built relationships with team members to encourage willingness to address concerns and issues.
- Recruited and hired talented individuals bringing depth and experience to organization.
- Trained new-hires on corporate procedures to better service customers.
- Delegated daily tasks, addressed employee questions, and resolved scheduling issues.
Assistant Produce Manager
Kroger
Hot Springs, AR
01.2009 - 07.2013
- Organized efficient merchandise replenishment strategies to keep shelves stocked and well-organized for customers.
- Purchased produce following guidelines of marketing plan.
- Planned attractive produce displays, using color and texture to enhance.
- Maintained produce display, and prep and storage areas in clean and orderly condition.
- Trimmed, washed and bundled produce as needed.
- Selected items for specials and marked down items as needed to reduce losses.
- Strengthened profits by reducing waste, controlling shrinkage and increasing team efficiency with optimized workflows.
- Orchestrated performance-oriented environment by closely supporting all team members.
- Maintained produce area and kept produce storage area clean and sanitary.
- Priced produce to achieve margin and sales goals.
- Kept department equipment in working order and advised general manager of equipment repair or replacement needs.
- Assisted customers with produce questions.
Frozen Food Lead
Kroger
Hot Springs, AR
01.1999 - 01.2009
- Maintained current knowledge of shelf planograms and end cap plans to effectively merchandise products.
- Collaborated with sales team members to stay current on inventory levels, complete accurate orders and resolve item issues.
- Managed timely and effective replacement of damaged or missing products.
- Observed safety protocols when transporting merchandise to different areas of store to alleviate item damage.
- Checked for outdated and overripe grocery items and removed from inventory.
- Inspected floor displays, noted missing items and immediately replenished merchandise.
- Stocked merchandise, clearly labeling items, arranging according to size or color and preparing attractive displays.
- Supported promotional plans by updating signage with price changes.
- Accepted delivered packages, verified products and checked delivery totals to keep system records current and accurate.
- Readied items for sales floor stocking by affixing tags and preparing pallets.
- Calculated correct order totals, updated accounts and maintained detailed records for inventory management.
Assistant Grocery Manager
Kroger
Hot Springs, AR
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Kept grocery team operations in strict compliance with workplace standards and food safety requirements to maintain optimal health protection.
- Engaged customers and provided very high level of service and support, helping find desired products and items.
- Performed key tasks to promote inviting grocery store appearance, including properly and effectively stocking shelves and endcaps.
- Orchestrated performance-oriented environment by closely supporting all team members.
- Boosted grocery sales with top-notch merchandising abilities and expertise in implementing effective promotions.
- Organized efficient merchandise replenishment strategies to keep shelves stocked and well-organized for customers.
- Implemented customer rewards program and actively communicated with all grocery team members to promote positive working environment.
- Strengthened profits by reducing waste, controlling shrinkage and increasing team efficiency with optimized workflows.
- Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs.
- Evaluated suppliers by assessing quality, timeliness and compliance of deliveries to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational efficiency.
- Established and administered annual budget with effective controls to prevent overages, minimize burn rate and support sustainability objectives.
- Delegated tasks and duties to grocery staff and clearly communicated timeframes for completion.
- Enhanced communication between patrons and team members to cultivate upbeat, team-oriented culture.
- Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands.
- Answered questions about store policies and concerns to support positive customer experiences.
- Exceeded sales goals and accomplished business objectives by inspiring staff and promoting target products.
- Opened and closed store independently when needed and prepared nightly bank drop for manager.
- Kept orderly and accurate accounting records by monitoring sales documentation.
- Set and updated weekly work schedules to meet coverage demands by considering factors like expected customer levels, planned promotions and individual employee strengths.
- Effectively allocated tasks during high-traffic times to keep operations running smoothly and employees focused.
- Educated customers on promotions to enhance sales.
- Aligned inventory processes with demand projections to maximize organizational and budget efficiency.
- Liaised with sales, marketing and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Maintained clean, adequately stocked and organized store by streamlining daily operations and introducing new procedures.
- Assisted customers by answering questions and fulfilling requests.
- Maintained focus during busy times and delegated tasks to employees to keep business running smoothly.
- Increased sales by offering advice on purchases and promoting additional products.
- Assigned jobs to individual employees by considering factors such as previous training, current abilities and general knowledge.
- Submitted reports to senior management to aid in business decision-making and planning.
- Coached employees and trained on methods for handling various aspects of sales, complicated issues and difficult customers.
- Marked-down clearance items and relocated merchandise to proper store areas.
- Reduced expenses by renegotiating vendor contracts to eliminate waste and boost cost savings
- Recruited and retained top talent, with focus on completing timely performance evaluations, providing positive feedback and rewarding superior performance.
- Researched issues to obtain appropriate answers to customer inquiries.
- Walked through department multiple times each shift to evaluate and correct issues such as cleaning and stock replenishment needs.
- Strengthened merchandising and promotional strategies to drive customer engagement and boost sales.
- Educated staff on strategies for handling difficult customers and challenging situations.
- Implemented daily operating procedures to keep store clean, adequately stocked and well-organized.
- Decreased inventory shrinkage, drive-off and daily cash discrepancies by closely monitoring daily operations.
Grocery Stock Clerk (Night Crew)
Kroger
Hot Springs, AR
04.1987 - 01.1998
- Evaluated supplies and product inventory to check for quality and quantity issues and returned unacceptable materials to vendors.
- Maintained well-organized restocking areas to avoid blocking aisles or creating safety hazards.
- Changed sales floor signs to show current pricing and support product promotions.
- Prepared merchandise for transfer to shelves by removing packing materials and applying identifying codes, such as price or inventory control numbers.
- Rotated stock correctly to prevent out-of-date products and removed aging items from main shelving to build special promotional displays.
- Created balanced pallets to support efficient and safe sales floor replenishment.
- Alternated goods in inventory by observing first-in/first-out approach to keep shelves organized and properly stocked.
- Placed special customer orders for custom or special order merchandise.
- Selected by general and warehouse managers to tackle special projects, expediting stock implementation during shortages.
- Maintained fitness in order to move merchandise efficiently and safely.
- Checked packages and merchandise for damage and quickly notified vendors to request replacements.
- Maintained effective team member communication.
- Applied proper safety procedures in warehouse, stockroom and store and immediately informed management of safety concerns.
- Assisted in development of trainees, providing instruction and support to optimize readiness.
- Maintained neat, orderly and safe work space.
- Assisted maintenance team with organizing and cleaning warehouse, stockroom and store near shift close.
- Operated manual and electric pallet jacks, safely relocating heavy merchandise on sales floor for timely stocking.
- Checked and pulled defective or expired products from shelves.
- Recorded information, shortages and discrepancies to keep records current and accurate.
- Maintained accurate inventory records to provide data for use in audits and completion of order requests
- Offered expertise in inventory management and current stock levels to internal teams and customers to facilitate accuracy and product availability.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills and understanding of packing slip processing requirements.
- Used hand-held devices and computers to record and monitor inventory levels and completed audits to uncover and address inaccuracies.
- Organized warehouse and stockroom areas using forklift and pallet jacks.
- Removed all debris and packaging from boxes and separated for recycling or disposal.
- Inspected work areas for cleanliness and obstacles and removed cartons and boxes to keep work areas organized and hazard-free.
- Took on customer service duties as needed.
Skills
Staff ManagementMerchandisingLoss preventionMerchandising operationsProcess and procedure development
Timeline
Assistant Store Manager
Kroger
07.2013 - Current
Assistant Produce Manager
Kroger
01.2009 - 07.2013
Frozen Food Lead
Kroger
01.1999 - 01.2009
Assistant Grocery Manager
Kroger
01.1998 - 01.1999
Grocery Stock Clerk (Night Crew)
Kroger
04.1987 - 01.1998