James Fells
Fredericksburg,VA
Summary
Dynamic Sr. Store Manager at GNC with a proven track record in operational efficiency and team leadership. Expert in inventory control and sales strategies, consistently exceeding targets while fostering a collaborative environment. Recognized for enhancing customer satisfaction and implementing innovative training programs that drive employee development and retention.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Store Manager
GNC
Fredericksburg, VA
06.2009 - Current
- Led daily store operations, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Trained and mentored staff, fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, driving inventory management decisions.
- Oversaw visual merchandising, maintaining brand standards across product displays.
- Managed budgeting processes, optimizing resource allocation for improved profitability.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations to promote professional development among team members.
- Implemented loss prevention measures, reducing shrinkage through effective training and monitoring practices.
- Optimized staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage during peak hours while minimizing labor costs.
- Exceeded sales targets consistently through proactive promotion of products/services while maintaining exceptional levels of customer service.
- Enhanced store appearance with meticulous merchandising, visual displays, and well-organized inventory management.
- Maintained strict compliance with all safety regulations, legal requirements, and company policies to protect the business from potential liabilities.
- Maximized profitability by analyzing sales trends, adjusting product offerings accordingly, and optimizing pricing strategies.
- Improved overall store performance by implementing effective sales strategies and streamlining operational processes.
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting open communication, employee recognition, and professional development opportunities.
- Facilitated seamless transitions during new product launches by coordinating cross-functional teams in merchandising, marketing, purchasing, logistics planning efforts.
- Championed employee growth by providing ongoing coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for career development within the organization.
- Increased customer satisfaction by prioritizing exceptional service and addressing concerns promptly and professionally.
- Initiated community outreach programs to foster positive relationships with local organizations, ultimately increasing brand visibility and generating goodwill among potential customers.
- Built and motivated stellar teams using sound judgment and decision-making, resulting in minimal turnover and superior performance.
- Maintained quality through training and coaching during daily activities.
- Supervised employees for exceptional store operations, customer retention and positive brand experiences.
- Communicated with key account contacts, responded to complex customer needs and consulted partners to boost sales among valued customers.
- Spearheaded store remodeling projects, enhancing overall layout and design to create a more inviting shopping environment for customers.
- Conducted regular financial analyses to identify areas of improvement and make data-driven decisions for future growth.
- Guided daily activities, overseeing accounts receivable, inventory reporting and bank deposits.
- Planned and assigned workload by delegating tasks and directing team members.
- Managed vendor relationships to negotiate competitive pricing and ensure timely delivery of products and supplies.
- Controlled and enforced standard operating procedures, security, and compliance with laws and system management.
- Reduced inventory shrinkage by implementing loss prevention measures, conducting regular audits, and holding staff accountable for discrepancies.
- Streamlined store operations by implementing efficient systems/processes that maximized productivity without sacrificing quality or customer experience.
- Identified and recommended areas for improvement in processes with targeted solutions.
- Collaborated with corporate leadership to align store operations with company-wide goals and initiatives.
- Implemented innovative marketing campaigns to drive foot traffic and increase brand awareness in the local community.
- Developed a high-performing team through strategic recruitment, comprehensive training, and regular performance evaluations.
- Promoted business strategy by implementing improvements based on guest feedback.
- Collaborated with management to reduce waste and expenses, while optimizing profitability responsibly.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Launched staff engagement, gender diversity and cultural programs in addition to robust reporting tool that increased operational quality.
- Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
Shipping and Receiving Manager
Kohls Department Store
Stafford, VA
09.2005 - 2011
- Oversaw daily shipping and receiving operations to ensure timely order fulfillment
- Implemented inventory management processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency
- Trained staff on safety protocols and best practices for handling merchandise
- Coordinated with logistics partners to streamline transportation schedules
- Monitored warehouse performance metrics to identify areas for improvement
- Led team meetings focused on operational challenges and process enhancements
- Developed training materials to support new employee onboarding
- Operated forklifts, lift trucks, and hand trucks to move items around warehouse.
- Optimized warehouse layout for efficient product flow from receiving to shipping areas, minimizing wasted time in transit between locations.
- Pulled, verified, and packaged items for shipment.
- Managed inventory control with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accurate stock levels.
- Prepared shipping documents and invoices, processed payments, and fielded client questions.
- Created effective communication channels between warehouse staff, management, and customers to address concerns promptly and maintain smooth operations.
- Conducted counts and audits of inventories to identify and resolve discrepancies in records.
- Enhanced shipping efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and procedures.
- Supervised warehouse staff, providing training and guidance to improve overall performance.
- Maintained positive relationships with representatives of UPS, FedEX, USPS, and DHL shipping companies.
- Organized storage areas to optimize materials movements and minimize labor hours.
- Collaborated with sales teams to meet deadlines for special orders or expedited shipments, ensuring customer satisfaction through prompt service.
- Conducted regular audits of shipping and receiving processes, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
- Reduced shipping errors by implementing a comprehensive quality assurance program.
- Boosted inventory and recordkeeping accuracy by conducting thorough inspections and comparing shipment contents with documentation.
- Established safety protocols within the workplace, reducing accidents among employees during daily tasks while maintaining OSHA compliance standards.
- Ensured company-wide compliance with federal regulations regarding hazardous materials handling in both storage and transportation contexts through employee training sessions.
- Streamlined receiving operations for faster turnaround times and improved customer satisfaction.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement, leading training sessions focused on best practices in shipping and receiving operations.
- Conducted comprehensive audits of shipping and receiving processes, identifying and rectifying inefficiencies.
- Led response to critical logistics challenge, minimizing delays through proactive communication and alternative planning.
- Achieved significant reductions in order fulfillment errors by implementing rigorous quality control checks at multiple stages.
- Developed and enforced safety protocols, significantly reducing workplace accidents in shipping and receiving areas.
- Spearheaded initiative to reduce waste and increase recycling of packing materials, supporting environmental sustainability goals.
- Established cross-training program for staff, increasing flexibility and resilience of shipping and receiving team.
- Optimized scheduling of staff shifts to ensure adequate coverage during peak times, maintaining high levels of operational efficiency.
- Enhanced warehouse efficiency by redesigning layout to streamline flow of goods from receiving to shipping.
- Streamlined inventory management practices, leading to more accurate and real-time tracking system.
- Enhanced accuracy of stock levels with introduction of cycle counting program, minimizing discrepancies.
- Collaborated with suppliers to improve packaging for inbound goods, reducing damage rates and loss.
- Reduced processing times for inbound shipments, meticulously organizing and expediting unpacking and inventory logging.
- Improved team morale and productivity by instituting regular feedback sessions and recognizing outstanding performance.
- Trained new staff on job duties, company policies, and safety procedures for rapid onboarding.
- Developed and maintained knowledgeable and productive team of employees.
- Oversaw warehouse staff and maintained efficiency in fast-paced environment.
- Reviewed established business practices and improved processes to reduce expenses.
- Created and enforced detailed organization processes to increase quality and service standards.
- Reduced worker accidents by implementing improved safety standards and monitoring procedures.
- Led improvement initiatives to advance operational efficiencies and increase revenue.
Education
High School Diploma -
William Penn Sr. High
York, PASkills
- Store maintenance
- Merchandise planning
- Store operations
- Health and safety
- Operational efficiency
- Policies and procedures implementation
- Staff management
- Inventory control
- Employee scheduling
- Facility management
- Operations oversight
- Process improvements
- Workforce planning
- Sales analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Lead generation
- Accounts management
- Profit maximization
- Budgeting and cost control
- Promotions management
- Employee relations
- Performance improvements
- P&L Administration
- Budget development
- Calendar management
- Supplier monitoring
- Human resources
- Cost control
- Teamwork
- Capital spending
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Team leadership
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Customer service management
- Effective leader
- Relationship building
- Customer relations
- Staff training/development
- Team building
- Task prioritization
- Employee motivation
- Self motivation
- Interpersonal skills
- Customer relationship management
- Analytical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Recruitment and hiring
- Operations management
- Goal setting
- Inventory tracking and management
- Professionalism
- Interpersonal communication
- Strategic partnerships
- Scheduling
- Hiring and onboarding
- Business leadership
- Strategic planning
- Schedule management
- Staff training
- Time management abilities
- Continuous improvement
- Management team building
- Inventory management
- Adaptability
- Delegating work
- Written communication
- Performance evaluation and monitoring
- Quality assurance
- Staff hiring
- Project management
- Sales strategies
- Customer retention
- Training management
- Crisis management
- Staff scheduling
- Data analysis
- Employee development
- Administrative management
- Sales tracking
- Staff development
- Risk management
Accomplishments
Trained and developed over 10 entry level associates to become store managers
Timeline
Sr. Store Manager
GNC
06.2009 - Current
Shipping and Receiving Manager
Kohls Department Store
09.2005 - 2011
High School Diploma -
William Penn Sr. High