ERIKA A. CONNER
Adel,IA
Summary
Professional with robust background in directing and managing large-scale operations, consistently driving success through strategic planning and execution. Adept at implementing innovative solutions that enhance productivity and operational effectiveness. Known for fostering teamwork and adapting to evolving business needs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Procurement and Field Projects
Camping World
03.2021 - Current
- Successfully manage company yearly FF&E budget of +18M, with consistent improvements to decrease cost without decreasing quality.
- Work Cross- Functional to lead, implement and manage company goals and initiatives.
- Oversee Energy portion for larger company initiatives for ESG.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
Customer Service Manager
Fabtex, Inc
08.2019 - 11.2020
- Company Overview: (50MM Total Revenue)
- Led a team of 14 Project Managers through communication, planning and execution of customers manufactured product within the hotel industry
- Implement key performance indicators for responsible functions to ensure goals are met individually as well as within the team
- Organize and developed proper communication pipeline from customers to project manager in order to leverage internal departments effectively
- Ensure all customer issues are resolved in an appropriate and timely manner
- Partnered with brands such as Marriott, Hilton and IHG
- Create ongoing training programs and mentoring for project manager's continued success
- Work cross functionally with interdepartmental management to create and optimize process and procedures to ensure revenue growth for the company
- (50MM Total Revenue)
Sr. Field Merchandising Manager
Cabela's Inc.
05.2015 - 11.2017
- Led field merchandise operation across entire retail chain as a critical liaison between corporate merchandising, retail advertising, visual merchandising, supply chain, and retail operations to drive retail sales and profits
- Implement and manage processes in merchandise, corporate direction and store execution direction for consistent merchandising standards across company boundaries
- Create, forecast and manage specialty product assortments and inventory need for various seasonal categories and regional locations
- Led cross functional team in company initiative for Strategic Space Allocation
- Implementing increased sales within product categories based on historical sales vs
- Space allocation
- Executing new floor plan layout and planograms in 35+ stores based on company results and customer feedback
- Developed and enhanced a productive and consistent communication link between the stores and corporate entities within merchandising, retail advertising, visual merchandising, and retail operations through constant and organized communication
District Sales Manager
Cabela's Inc.
07.2012 - 05.2015
- Pioneer in the initial implementation of the District Retail Structure for the company. After Pilot successful roll out of 7 Districts country wide, resulting in streamlined operations and increased sales revenue for the company by 25% first year.
- Optimize retail assortment strategies to drive sales and profits for the retail division
- Optimizing Space Allocation/Productivity, Monitoring Inventory needs and Seasonal Strategies
- Drive sales through Visual Merchandising/Category Merchandising strategies at a store level to show return on investment
- Provide a productive and consistent communication link between retail stores and corporate entities within merchandising, inventory planning, retail advertising, visual merchandising and competitive environment and trends
- Coach, train and motivate retail operations and merchant teams to raise field expertise to improve current strategies results and process improvement
Sr. Manager Visual Merchandising
Cabela's Inc.
05.2011 - 07.2012
- Develop and implement tactical programs for store merchandising, visual presentation strategies, retail store fixtures standards, space planning, in store signing for new and existing stores
- Partner with the merchandising organization to enhance the production of meaningful store presentation and translate direction to retail stores to support the vision and strategies of the merchants and product sales plans
- Alignment of Space allocation based on sales per sq
- Foot in retail stores season to season
- Manage team of (10) space planners to meet planning deadlines and new store set deadlines by effectively assigning work flow and expectations
Corporate Inventory Accuracy Manager, Retail Operations
Cabela's Inc.
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Established direction for retail inventory processes, procedures, shrink and execution
- Ensure accuracy to better align all business units and systems
- Manage annual physical inventory program and decreased companywide shrink year over year by .8% to Sales.
- Establish & facilitate metrics to improve inventory process to gain efficiency and consistency between retail chain to improve product flow and systems
- Collaborated communication, duties, schedules and work flow to align business operating plan
Sr. Operations Manager, Retail
Cabela's Inc.
02.2010 - 08.2010
- Directly managed 5 department managers and indirectly 120 hourly outfitters
- Managed cost control and budget accountability for all controllable expenses within retail store
- Forecasted labor by department as a percent to sales weekly
- Corresponded all operational responsibilities within the building cross functionally to corporate and divisional teams
Regional Supply Chain Manager West Region
Cabela's Inc.
04.2008 - 02.2010
- Responsible for the Western region retail backroom operations
- (7 of the 28 stores)
- Provided leadership to the Retail Store's backroom receiving and warehousing managers and their teams
- Lead KPI's for quality performance and enhancements
- Execute backroom process improvement to include replenishment from the Distribution Center to the retail locations to decrease costs and increase retail profitability
- Direct contact to corporate teams in determining correct lead times, safety stock and replenishment systems to meet stores need for inventory
Various Other Positions Held
Cabela's
07.2005 - 04.2008
- Human Resources
- Internal Audit
- Vendor Compliance - Supply Chain
President and Franchise Owner
Home Instead Senior Care
03.1996 - 01.2003
- Accountable for all financial responsibilities (accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, taxes, etc.,)
- Responsible for the compliance of all regulatory laws applicable to owning and operating a small business/franchise
- Analyze financials to improve profitability for company and implement new strategies and marketing ideas.
- Increased sales/revenue each year to exceed budget projections through networking with the community, businesses and personal referrals.
- Inspired innovation by creating an environment that encouraged creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
- Drove revenue growth by expanding product offerings and identifying new market opportunities. Superseded 1st year company revenue goals by 20% and +30-40% year over year.
- Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives.
- Managed crisis situations effectively while minimizing disruption to daily operations.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
Education
Fire Fighter & Medic - Public Education Officer, CPR Instructor
Clive Fire Department
Clive, Iowa01.2003
Iowa EMT License - EMS/Emergency Medical Technician
MERCY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Des Moines, Iowa01.1998
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Decision-making
- Operations management
- Staff development
- Project management
- Relationship building
- Business development
- Negotiation
Awards
- The 'X' Factor Award, Strategic Planning and Partnerships, Cabela's, 2016
- Retail Store of the Year, Cabela's, 2013, Sidney, Nebraska
- Customer Service Store of the Year, Cabela's, 2013, Rapid City, South Dakota
- Leadership Excellence Award, Cabela's, 2010
- Governor's Champion Partners in Aging Services Award for Ongoing Commitment, Governor Terry Brandstad, 1999, Des Moines, Iowa
- Fire Fighter Rookie of the Year, Clive Fire Department, 1999
Leadership Training
- Leaders Developing Leaders, JC Strategies, 2016
- Emerging Leaders, Donnell Consultant Services, 2014
Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Certification - International Association for Six Sigma Certification.
Timeline
Director of Procurement and Field Projects
Camping World
03.2021 - Current
Customer Service Manager
Fabtex, Inc
08.2019 - 11.2020
Sr. Field Merchandising Manager
Cabela's Inc.
05.2015 - 11.2017
District Sales Manager
Cabela's Inc.
07.2012 - 05.2015
Sr. Manager Visual Merchandising
Cabela's Inc.
05.2011 - 07.2012
Corporate Inventory Accuracy Manager, Retail Operations
Cabela's Inc.
08.2010 - 05.2011
Sr. Operations Manager, Retail
Cabela's Inc.
02.2010 - 08.2010
Regional Supply Chain Manager West Region
Cabela's Inc.
04.2008 - 02.2010
Various Other Positions Held
Cabela's
07.2005 - 04.2008
President and Franchise Owner
Home Instead Senior Care
03.1996 - 01.2003
Iowa EMT License - EMS/Emergency Medical Technician
MERCY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
- Lean Six Sigma Certification - International Association for Six Sigma Certification.
Fire Fighter & Medic - Public Education Officer, CPR Instructor
Clive Fire Department
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