Jacob Willard
Blue Ridge,VA
Summary
With a proven track record at Lowes Home Improvement, I excel in driving sales growth and team leadership, blending expert merchandising with exceptional customer service. My strategic planning and competitor analysis skills have consistently enhanced retail operations, achieving significant sales increases and fostering strong team dynamics for sustained success. With my lead by example mentality, the results of my team show within the store with how we drive the program of MST. I take pride in my job and delivering the best results possible.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Merchandise Sales Manager
Lowes Home Improvment
05.2023 - Current
- Enhanced the shopping experience by curating a visually appealing retail environment that showcased products effectively.
- Coordinated seamless collaboration between departments, ensuring a unified approach in driving sales and customer satisfaction.
- Evaluated competitor strategies to identify areas of opportunity for growth within the market segment.
- Trained and mentored new sales team members to enhance their product knowledge and selling skills.
- Spearheaded special events such as trunk shows and seasonal promotions to engage customers beyond traditional shopping experiences.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, resulting in better pricing and improved product selection.
- Contributed to strategic planning sessions that informed long-term goals for the business''s continued success in a competitive retail landscape.
- Implemented loss prevention strategies to minimize theft incidents and safeguard company assets.
- Increased merchandise sales by implementing strategic visual displays and promotional campaigns.
- Streamlined store operations by developing efficient processes for stocking, merchandising, and managing inventory.
- Boosted overall store performance through effective staff scheduling, minimizing payroll costs while maintaining superior customer service levels.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for team members, setting clear expectations for improvement when necessary.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems, and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Greeted all customers cheerfully and asked open-ended questions to ascertain needs.
- Trained team members in successful strategies to meet operational and sales targets.
- Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales and performance.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Implemented systems and procedures to increase sales.
- Exceeded sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning.
- Managed day-to-day staffing and handled scheduling for all store employees.
- Strengthened merchandising and promotional strategies to drive customer engagement and boost sales.
- Maintained company's visual merchandise standards through general housekeeping and planograms.
Lumber and Building Materials Supervisor
Lowes Home Improvment
10.2020 - 05.2023
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Handled customer complaints, resolved issues, and adjusted policies to meet changing needs.
- Monitored workflow to improve employee time management and increase productivity.
- Improved customer satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Maintained compliance with company policies, objectives, and communication goals.
- Evaluated employee performance and coached and trained to improve weak areas.
- Increased team productivity by implementing efficient workflows and setting clear expectations for staff members.
- Mentored newly hired employees on operating equipment and safety and developed training manual to use for reference.
- Achieved results by working with staff to meet established targets.
- Resolved conflicts among team members promptly, maintaining a harmonious working environment conducive to productivity.
- Enhanced communication within the team by holding regular meetings and encouraging open dialogue among all members.
- Maintained clean and well-organized production areas to avoid violations or unnecessary work delays due to hazards or inefficient layouts.
- Created successful work schedules for each team member to maintain deadlines and fully staff shifts.
- Demonstrated commitment to the organization''s core values, leading by example and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Collaborated with other departments to achieve organizational goals, fostering teamwork across various functions.
- Enforced rules and regulations outlined in company manual to set forth expectations comprehensibly and consistently.
- Mentored junior staff members in their career development, sharing knowledge from years of experience in the field.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
- Implemented safety protocols to minimize workplace accidents and maintain compliance with industry standards.
- Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and providing ongoing feedback to staff members.
- Identified unsafe or unhealthful workplace conditions or hazards to enforce safe work practices and procedures.
- Developed staff skills through targeted training programs, resulting in improved performance and career growth opportunities.
- Established performance metrics for the team, consistently tracking progress towards goals and making adjustments as needed.
- Streamlined operations for increased efficiency through regular process reviews and implementing necessary changes.
Contractor Class A
Leonard & Leonard
07.2015 - 06.2020
- Delivered high-quality work on time and within budget, earning positive feedback from clients.
- Delivered outstanding service to customers to maintain and extend relationships for future business opportunities.
- Coordinated timely delivery of materials and resources to job sites, preventing delays in project timelines.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Established long-term relationships with clients, resulting in increased repeat business.
- Kept site work safe and in line with budget, schedule, and applicable building codes.
- Evaluated project risks and implemented mitigation strategies, ensuring successful completion of projects.
- Implemented changes requested by designers, owners, or inspectors to conform to specifications or updated demands.
- Implemented safety protocols on job sites, reducing incidents of workplace accidents and injuries.
- Improved project efficiency by streamlining communication channels and optimizing resource allocation.
- Reduced client complaints by implementing a more effective customer service strategy.
- Identified areas for cost reduction, leading to significant savings without compromising quality.
- Drove process improvements by identifying inefficiencies and recommending solutions for optimization.
- Researched and identified innovative solutions to acquire resources and meet customer needs.
ABC Manager
Big Al's And Poor Billy's
04.2010 - 07.2015
- Conducted regular meetings with staff members to address any concerns they may have had about patient care or workplace conditions, creating a supportive work environment where employees feel valued.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflows and increased operational efficiency across multiple departments.
- Optimized patient flow and reduced wait times through effective communication and coordination among staff members.
- Ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements, maintaining an excellent safety record and high-quality standards throughout the facility.
Education
Blacksburg High School
Blacksburg, VASkills
- Sales Training
- Supply Chain Coordination
- Pricing strategy
- Competitor Analysis
- Promotional planning
- Merchandise Assortment
- Driven Work Ethic
- Customer Service
- Critical Thinking
- Sales Team Leadership
- Decision-Making
- Cash Handling
- Customer Engagement
- Training and mentoring
- Sales Strategy Implementation
- Management
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Team Supervision
- Strategic Planning
- Inventory Management
- Delegating Work
- Brand Awareness
- Retail Operations
- Promotions and specials
- Staff Scheduling
- Staff Development
- Visual Merchandising
- Sales expertise
- Upselling strategies
- Revenue Growth
- Employee Performance Management
- Staff Oversight
- Productivity maximization
- Product Merchandising
- Display Maintenance
- Shrink Reduction
- Time Management
- Relationship Building
- Staff Training and Development
- Goal Setting and Achievement
- Operations Management
- New Hire Onboarding
- Employee Retention
Accomplishments
Partnership Awards with MST. Awarded 2, one by Crystal and Caleb Busie and one awarded by Alex and Michael Pruett
Top performer with Supervisor and Merchandise achievements, given in person By store Manager Steve Owens.
Certification
Powered equipment
Forklift
Narrow aisle reach truck
Order picker
Timeline
Merchandise Sales Manager
Lowes Home Improvment
05.2023 - Current
Lumber and Building Materials Supervisor
Lowes Home Improvment
10.2020 - 05.2023
Contractor Class A
Leonard & Leonard
07.2015 - 06.2020
ABC Manager
Big Al's And Poor Billy's
04.2010 - 07.2015
Blacksburg High School