Grace Lehner
Sioux Falls,SD
Summary
Professional horticulture leader with proven ability to drive operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Extensive experience in managing teams and fostering collaborative work environment. Known for adaptability and results-driven approach, maintaining high standards and flexibility in meeting changing needs. Proficient in plant care, inventory control, and staff development.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Garden Center Manager
Landscape Garden Centers
03.2025 - Current
- Developed org chart structure
- Recruiting and onboarding
- Scheduling
- Developed training program
- Developed revenue and profit goals
- Collaborated across departments to meet sales and customer service goals
General Manager
JCPenney
05.2014 - 03.2023
- Recruited, hired, trained and retained 150 employees
- Drove 6% total store sale increase in 2020
- Achieved top quartile results across all KPIs including sales, service, profit, credit, shrink
- Achieved 85% employee engagement in 2023
- Headed all merchandising operations of a $34 million dollar annual sales store
- Acted as customer service leader for all district stores
District Manager
Dollar General
01.2020 - 01.2020
- Recruited, hired, trained and retained 200 employees
- Managed P&L for 17 stores
- Achieved highest team engagement score in P1 2021
- Improved shrink results
- (6 months during 2020 Covid Epidemic while furloughed at JCPenney)
Executive Team Leader – Guest Experience & Logistics
Target
05.2011 - 05.2014
- Drove sales by overseeing the guest experience and merchandising for a $54 million dollar annual sales store
- Acted as Leader on Duty multiple times per week supervising 3 direct report supervisors and 50 plus employees
- Achieved aggressive sales, payroll, and service goals by collaborating with peers to create and execute action plans
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A) - Management
University of South Dakota
05.2011
Skills
- Plant identification
- Horticultural expertise
- Pest control
- Horticulture
- Customer service
- Fungicide application
- Herbicide application
- Insecticide application
- Pesticide mixing
- Pesticide application
- Decision-making
Timeline
Garden Center Manager
Landscape Garden Centers
03.2025 - Current
District Manager
Dollar General
01.2020 - 01.2020
General Manager
JCPenney
05.2014 - 03.2023
Executive Team Leader – Guest Experience & Logistics
Target
05.2011 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A) - Management
University of South Dakota