Heather Paradis
Pawcatuck
Summary
Customer-oriented store manager offering several years of experience in retail operations, sales and service team leadership and profitability strategies. Organized and skilled at prioritizing daily tasks and following through to achieve performance and productivity goals. Recruits, trains, develops and manages team of store associates and assistant managers.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Store Manager
Bassett Furniture
Chestnut Hill
01.2019 - Current
- Hired in Stoughton and 6 weeks later promoted to Chestnut Hill and higher volume. Able to steer a commissioned sales team through shut down of COVID. Improved the operations focus while maintaining high standards of customer service.
- Produced the highest volume fiscal year in this location ever. Secured sales of $5M in FY 2021.
- Maintained a solid sales team without turnover. Had 4 top producers at over $1M each.
- Actively reduced costs and minimized errors and returns to achieve profitability. Resulted in the first time posting a profit starting in October 2019.
- Utilized Salesforce to grow client follow up and review KPI’s.
- During COVID shut down rallied the sales team to high productivity. Ran 70% to previous year WHILE CLOSED and without any customer contact in May 2020.
Kitchen and Bath Project Designer
Lowe’s Home Improvement
Leominster
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Worked with walk in traffic to discuss renovation possibilities of all size projects. Followed up with leads on a daily basis.
- Facilitated communication between designers, engineers, vendors, and clients.
- Assisted in the preparation of cost estimates related to design projects.
District Manager – Boston North
Ethan Allen
Boston North
01.2004 - 01.2017
- Strategically oversaw several locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island. Served as a key member of the leadership team at the Natick flagship location.
- Collaborated with the CEO and Regional Vice President to review the monthly profit and loss statement, budget, and financial results. Secured an additional $1M in profit for FY 2016.
- Planned strategy for robust teams. Constructed multi-generational, talented teams that produced 139% sales growth.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly and effectively while maintaining a high level of customer service satisfaction.
- Proactively developed and recognized stellar performance of all employees. Promoted 15 employees to management/leadership positions.
- Established a robust new hire program that included nine PowerPoint webinars for new position managers. Instituted quarterly and annual benchmark performance reviews.
- Analyzed financial data for each store in the district to identify areas of improvement or growth potentials. Maintained lowest Return rate in company below the 2% Benchmark.
Sales & Design Consultant
Boston Interiors
Hanover
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Explored new business opportunities and strengthened relationships with existing accounts through contests, prizes, and new promotions/marketing campaigns.
- Actively pursued business development opportunities. Secured a spot as one of the Top 5 $1M writers in the company for four consecutive years.
- Fostered positive interactions with customers, implementing a world class customer service excellence model.
- Rapidly improved sales performance by instituting comprehensive contests and prizes. Engaged customers in creative and interesting promotional contests.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines and budget constraints.
Area Manager
Amy’s Hallmark
Multiple Locations
01.1995 - 01.1999
- Empowered teams with the training, skills, resources, and tools to effectively perform daily tasks and special projects. Introduced industry best practices as well as a new sales development and training program.
- Encouraged customers to enroll for Gold Crown Cards through persuasive selling and negotiation techniques. Boosted Gold Crown Card enrollment by 29%.
- Evaluated inventory on a frequent basis and optimized it for seasonal carryover. Shrank the size of the entire inventory by 35%.
- Successfully opened a new location with an entirely new staff and line of products. Sourced, recruited, and hired talented employees.
- Provided guidance on the implementation of new policies and procedures in stores.
Store Manager
The Gap
Multiple Locations
01.1994 - 01.1999
- Directly supported six retail locations in various levels of store management. Strengthened the skills of talented employees, developing them into Assistant Store Managers.
- Improved employee engagement and sales strategy through effective training and frequent shift meetings.
- Optimized employee scheduling by frequently analyzing store traffic and staffing needs, additionally saving in overtime dollars.
- Facilitated GAP ACT training sessions, which targeted employee’s verbal selling skills. Realized nearly 23% sales growth annually.
- Recruited, trained and supervised new employees especially seasonally at BTS and Holiday.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration & Management
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RISkills
- Strategic Plan Implementation
- Budget Forecasting
- Recruiting & Hiring
- Assertive Negotiation
- Training Programs
- Motivational Team Leadership
- Sales management
- Customer service
- Performance metrics
- Sales strategies
- Multitasking and organization
- Problem-solving
- Store operations
- Retail sales techniques
- Cost reduction
- Personnel development
Volunteerism And Awards
- President’s Circle of Excellence, Ethan Allen
- Secretary – Somerset Hills Condominium Association
- Patient & Family Advisory Council Member – HealthSouth New England Rehabilitation Hospital
Timeline
Store Manager
Bassett Furniture
01.2019 - Current
Kitchen and Bath Project Designer
Lowe’s Home Improvement
01.2018 - 01.2019
District Manager – Boston North
Ethan Allen
01.2004 - 01.2017
Sales & Design Consultant
Boston Interiors
01.1999 - 01.2004
Area Manager
Amy’s Hallmark
01.1995 - 01.1999
Store Manager
The Gap
01.1994 - 01.1999
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration & Management
University of Rhode Island