Eric Vanderpool Ohman
New Orleans,LA
Summary
Experienced Organizational Leader with a motivational philosophy centered around horizontal success with total P&L responsibility in various sectors and domestic markets of the retail industry.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Vice President General Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
05.2024 - 07.2024
- Supported two stores in the Gulf South, working directly with Store Directors and Assistant General Managers to obtain financial and operational targets
- Developed multi-market strategies to improve Top Client spend through cost effective events largely focused around jewelry
- Worked closely with multi-million dollar Style Advisors, in tandem with volume-specific Client Development Managers, to maximize annual volume and earnings
Vice President General Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
06.2023 - 05.2024
- Oversaw all aspects of a Top 10 door and regional anchor, servicing the larger Gulf South, including total P&L responsibility and corporate-directed KPIs
- Attained best owned business trend in the West Coast Region for Q4 through a jewelry-focused strategy; doubling our overall jewelry business
- Created personal relationships with key Top Clients through philanthropic and social engagement, leading to multiple clients with an annual spend in excess for $1MM+
- Launched a variety of market-specific initiatives, including VIP parking, hotel partnerships, media relationships, etc
- Successfully negotiated capital investment to physically improve the appearance and productivity of the store in advance of Super Bowl 2025
Vice President General Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
06.2021 - 06.2023
- Created and executed the strategy necessary to reintroduce the Saks Fifth Avenue brand to New Jersey through the construction and opening of a new, full-line, 120,000 square foot location; the first in five years
- Total P&L responsibility including occupancy, an annual payroll in excess of $3MM, gross margin, and marketing
- Adapted and implemented total company selling and operational initiatives, resulting in a 100% increase over initial projection for fiscal 2022
- Proactively identified and recruited competitive Top Talent and built relationships with high value local clientele, leading to clients with an annual spend of $100M+
Assistant General Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
04.2018 - 06.2021
- Key contributor to the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring the growth and success of $600MM+ Flagship
- Coached, advised and mentored a team of Selling Directors, Managers, and Style Advisors with volume responsibilities in excess of $100MM+
- Created, developed and launched a high-profile management pilot, which was scaled to eight key doors in 2019 and all doors in 2020
- Chosen to lead important corporate financial and change initiatives including Loyalty, 'Radically Better,' and Diversity & Inclusion
- 2019 Participant of the General Manager Development Program for high performing senior executives
Group Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
04.2017 - 04.2018
- Delivered a +17% comparative sales trend, year over year, leading to the largest volume year in the stores history through an aggressive merchandising strategy, including the introduction of new $1MM+ brands, including Christian Louboutin and Off-White
- Responsible for the development and growth of multiple managers, varied merchandise categories, and five selling floors with a total selling population of over 50 Style Advisors
- Extensively focused on Top Talent by leading the Million Dollar Book/Journey to a Million program, including the recruitment of three new Style Advisors yielding $4MM+
- Created seasonal floor plans to highlight changes to product matrix, maximize productivity per square foot and convey current trends through compelling merchandising
Selling Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
08.2015 - 04.2017
- Developed and implemented nuanced strategy focused on market positioning, brand identity, and Talent, leading to an 8% increase to the total store penetration
- Recruited, motivated, and developed a team of 13 Men's Style Advisers, including two top store performers and three emerging Top Books responsible for over 50% of departmental volume
- Standardized departmental clienteling practices to align with corporate initiatives and meet key metrics allowing for improved high-value client retention
- 2016 recipient of the 'Hero Award' and designated 'Culture Champion'
Area Manager
AKIRA
03.2015 - 08.2015
- Senior-level manager highly involved in the rapid growth of an emerging regional chain of specialty stores
- Recruited, interviewed, and developed top tier Store and Assistant Managers in multiple locations to mirror positive growth trend
- Sustained high profit margins through eliminating unnecessary labor, moving out weak performing managers, and implementing continued training programs
- Ensured outstanding execution of selling, promotional, visual and operational initiatives
General Manager
AKIRA Men
01.2014 - 03.2015
- Increased monthly profitability of Flagship location through increasing revenue while decreasing overhead expenditure
- Directed weekly inventory analysis to identify weak performers, increase product flow and sell-through, determine weekly promotions, and compile necessary markdowns
- Standardized company-wide training program based on the selling culture and needs of the company, leading to a three-part seminar for onboarding novice stylists
Store Manager
AKIRA
03.2010 - 08.2013
- Effectively managed teams of 25+ people in three different locations of increasing sales volume
- Transformed the Michigan Avenue location into the company's top ranked store with annual revenue in excess of $3MM+
- Formulated and implemented company-wide procedural guidelines, review templates, and sales statistics while simultaneously exceeding monthly sales goals
- Invited to participate and pilot introductory management mentoring program during which direct feedback was provided to store managers and owners about inventory concerns, brand image, and talent development.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Late Soviet and Middle Eastern Studies
DePaul University
Chicago, ILSkills
- Multi-level Motivational Leadership
- Critical Financial Understanding
- High-value Client Acquisition and Retention
- Operational Excellence
- Strategy Development and Implication
- Community Engagement and Involvement
Affiliations
- Son of A Saint, New Orleans
- Louisiana Children's Medical Center (LCMC Health)
- New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
- Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF)
Media
https://industrym.com/renaissance-man/?city=new%20jersey
Additional Information
Multiple references available upon request
Timeline
Lead Vice President General Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
05.2024 - 07.2024
Vice President General Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
06.2023 - 05.2024
Vice President General Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
06.2021 - 06.2023
Assistant General Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
04.2018 - 06.2021
Group Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
04.2017 - 04.2018
Selling Manager
Saks Fifth Avenue
08.2015 - 04.2017
Area Manager
AKIRA
03.2015 - 08.2015
General Manager
AKIRA Men
01.2014 - 03.2015
Store Manager
AKIRA
03.2010 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Late Soviet and Middle Eastern Studies
DePaul University
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