EMILY J VAN WINKLE
Scottsboro
Summary
Retail and restaurant operations leader with 20+ years of experience driving performance in high-volume, multi-unit environments. Proven success in turnarounds, store openings, shrink reduction, P&L management, and large-scale team development. Recognized for building strong cultures, improving operational metrics, and delivering exceptional customer experiences across retail and hospitality platforms.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
STORE MANAGER
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
11.2023 - 07.2025
- Recruited, trained, and coached a team of 15–25 employees, building a high-performance culture of accountability and engagement.
- Exceeded monthly and quarterly sales targets by analyzing trends and adjusting merchandising and labor strategies.
- Reduced shrink by more than 50% in under one year through enhanced audit controls and theft prevention.
- Directed full P&L responsibility including labor scheduling, inventory control, expense management, and safety compliance.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings through hands-on service coaching and rapid issue resolution.
OWNER
FERN & OLIVE
06.2022 - 11.2024
- Founded and operated a multi-location curated vintage and antique décor business across northern Alabama.
- Directed sourcing, pricing, merchandising, branding, and overall profitability of the business.
- Drove traffic and sales through daily social media promotion, seasonal campaigns, and targeted sales events.
- Executed monthly booth resets and curated product selections aligned with market trends and customer preferences.
- Designed visually compelling displays across three retail markets to increase sales conversion.
STORE MANAGER
URBAN HOME MARKET
09.2022 - 01.2023
- Led the opening of a 12,000 sq. ft. home décor and furniture store, overseeing pre-opening through launch.
- Hired, onboarded, and trained designers, managers, and associates.
- Directed merchandising standards, warehouse organization, and vendor coordination.
- Built strategic partnerships with realtors and designers to generate repeat business.
- Launched local marketing initiatives to drive brand awareness and community engagement.
DIRECTOR OF RETAIL
UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE
08.2021 - 01.2022
- Led retail operations during company-wide restructuring, overseeing 3 managers, 6 supervisors, and 75+ employees.
- Directed store remodels, visual upgrades, and floor plan resets to enhance traffic flow and experience.
- Planned and executed high-traffic national events including the annual Ski Sale and seasonal holiday gift shop.
- Partnered with buying and operations teams to align inventory flow and pricing with sales trends.
- Established weekly leadership meetings, store walks, and performance reviews.
STORE MANAGER (Retail + Restaurant)
AMERICAN GIRL
02.2015 - 07.2021
- Led a dual retail and restaurant operation generating $8M+ annually.
- Directed 9 department managers, 8 leads, and up to 100 associates.
- Increased revenue through loyalty programs, promotions, and peak-season sales strategies.
- Navigated operations through COVID-19, reopening as one of the first two stores nationwide with curbside and modified dining operations.
- Planned and executed large-scale experiential events and brand partnerships.
- Built a high-retention culture with multiple leaders achieving 5+ years of tenure.
RETAIL MANAGER (FLAGSHIP LOCATION)
CRACKER BARREL
03.2003 - 02.2015
- Led flagship retail operations generating up to $16M annually.
- Provided staffing, leadership, and training support to 5 district stores.
- Served as Regional Visual Training Manager for 100+ locations.
- Strengthened loss prevention, inventory control, and shrink reduction practices.
- Partnered with restaurant leadership to align retail and dining operations for seamless guest experience.
Education
School of Tomorrow
Living Heritage Academy
Skills
Leadership & Operations:
Multi-Unit Leadership General Management District-Level Support P&L Management Labor Optimization Workforce Planning Coaching & Mentoring Change Management Performance Management
Retail & Restaurant Operations:
High-Volume Operations Store Openings & Remodels Visual Merchandising Inventory Control Loss Prevention Shrink Reduction Safety & Compliance Food Safety Vendor Management
Business Growth & Strategy:
Sales Growth Strategy Customer Experience Loyalty Programs Promotional Planning Turnaround Leadership KPI & Metrics Management Budgeting & Forecasting Profit Optimization
People & Culture:
Talent Acquisition Training & Development Succession Planning Employee Engagement Conflict Resolution Service Recovery Team Building
Technology & Systems:
POS Systems Inventory Management Systems Labor & Scheduling Systems Microsoft Office / Excel E-Commerce Platforms
Early Career
- Store Manager — The Gap
- Merchandising Manager / Regional Visual Lead — Old Navy
- Store Manager — Laura Ashley
- Store Manager — Britches Great Outdoors (President’s Circle)
Accomplishments
- Reduced shrink by more than 50% in under one year at Tractor Supply
- Led an $8M+ annual retail and restaurant operation at American Girl
- Provided long-term staffing and leadership support to 5 district stores
- Managed flagship operations generating up to $16M annually at Cracker Barrel
- Led events hosting 8,000+ customers in a single weekend
Education Certifications
- Living Heritage Academy – School of Tomorrow
- Serve Safe Certified
- Red Cross First Aid Certified
Community Service
- Special Olympics
- Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital
- Toys for Tots
- Veterans Services
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- United Way
- Buck a Book
Awards Recognition
- Retail Manager of the Year (Multiple-Time Recipient)
- Top Sales Performance Award
- Operating Profit Excellence Award
- Labor & Staffing Efficiency Award
- Safety & Compliance Achievement Award
- Highest Sales Increase Award
- Best Shrinkage % Award
Core Competencies
Multi-Unit Leadership, General Management, District-Level Support, P&L Management, Labor Optimization, Workforce Planning, Performance Management, Coaching & Mentoring, Change Management, High-Volume Operations, Store Openings & Remodels, Visual Merchandising, Inventory Control, Loss Prevention, Shrink Reduction, Safety & Compliance, Food Safety, Vendor Management, Sales Growth Strategy, Customer Experience, Loyalty Programs, Promotional Planning, Turnaround Leadership, KPI & Metrics Management, Budgeting & Forecasting, Profit Optimization, Talent Acquisition, Training & Development, Succession Planning, Employee Engagement, Conflict Resolution, Service Recovery, Team Building, POS Systems, Inventory Management Systems, Labor & Scheduling Systems, Microsoft Office / Excel, E-Commerce Platforms
Timeline
STORE MANAGER
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
11.2023 - 07.2025
STORE MANAGER
URBAN HOME MARKET
09.2022 - 01.2023
OWNER
FERN & OLIVE
06.2022 - 11.2024
DIRECTOR OF RETAIL
UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE
08.2021 - 01.2022
STORE MANAGER (Retail + Restaurant)
AMERICAN GIRL
02.2015 - 07.2021
RETAIL MANAGER (FLAGSHIP LOCATION)
CRACKER BARREL
03.2003 - 02.2015
School of Tomorrow
Living Heritage Academy