James Podlasek
Appleton,WI
Summary
Spearheaded product development and enhancement to maximize sales success. Talented coordinator, problem-solver and team leader with proven expertise in roadmapping effective plans. Conceptualize, test and improve strategies to attain targets with cost-effective approaches.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
EComm Product Manager
Shoe Carnival
Oshksoh, WI
05.2024 - 08.2024
- Established relationships with third party developers who could extend the reach of our products.
- Performed post-launch analyses to measure success of feature rollouts.
- Provided technical guidance during troubleshooting efforts when needed.
- Worked closely with engineering teams to ensure feature specifications are understood and implemented correctly.
- Created processes and procedures that ensure high quality products are delivered on time.
- Generated reports detailing progress against goals set by executive team members.
- Communicated progress updates at regular intervals with senior leadership.
- Developed product roadmaps to help guide the development of new products.
- Participated in design reviews to ensure usability standards are being met throughout the product development cycle.
- Prioritized features in order to maximize impact while meeting budget constraints.
- Identified customer needs through user interviews, surveys, focus groups, and other feedback mechanisms.
Web Content Manager
Rogan's Shoes
Oshkosh, WI
01.2009 - 05.2024
- Reviewed existing web content for accuracy, relevance, timeliness, completeness, and consistency in style and formatting.
- Monitored industry trends and competitor activities related to web content management.
- Created reports summarizing key insights from website data analysis efforts.
- Created, edited, and published website content across multiple channels.
- Worked closely with marketing teams in order to develop targeted campaigns that drive more qualified visitors towards our websites.
- Optimized existing website copy to improve search engine rankings.
- Coordinated with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for improving the user experience on websites.
- Collaborated with design teams to create compelling visuals for web pages.
- Developed processes for tracking, monitoring, and reporting on website performance metrics.
- Ensured compliance with branding guidelines when creating or editing website content.
- Developed and implemented web content strategies to ensure effective communication and presentation of information.
- Analyzed site structure, navigation paths, linking conventions in order to maximize user engagement.
- Planned and executed A and B testing experiments in order to optimize conversion rates on various pages within our sites.
- Provided guidance and support to other team members on best practices related to online content creation and management.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.0 AA compliance requirements when creating new website features or updating existing ones.
- Managed and monitored web analytics to assess user engagement with web content.
- Researched emerging technologies that could be used to enhance the user experience on our websites.
- Identified areas where additional training was needed in order to better understand the company's digital presence strategy.
- Provided technical support and troubleshooting assistance when needed.
- Implemented SEO techniques such as keyword optimization into web page titles and meta descriptions.
- Utilized social media platforms as a way of driving traffic back to our websites.
- Conducted usability tests to evaluate the effectiveness of web page designs and layouts.
- Generated editorial calendars to schedule content posting, manage campaigns and track deadlines.
- Analyzed daily traffic data and reports to measure effectiveness of marketing strategies.
- Wordsmithed original platform-specific content appealing to target audiences.
- Interacted with users and followers across digital platforms to encourage dialogue.
- Leveraged live-streaming and live-tweeting opportunities to generate excitement about events.
- Reviewed performance of content by capturing and assessing analytics figures.
- Reviewed information and elements regularly on websites and pages for accuracy and functionality.
- Monitored website privacy settings to prevent intrusions and security breaches.
- Collaborated with developmental team to resolve usability issues and improve website functionality.
- Evaluated software functionality and made adjustments when necessary.
- Identified and resolved website glitches, server problems and incorrect formatting.
- Documented proper procedures to assist other employees with accurate website development and maintenance.
- Designed websites and online applications to assist companies with online presence.
Store Manager
Rogan's Shoes
Appleton, WI
03.1995 - 01.2010
- Maintained accurate records of employee performance reviews.
- Assessed operational efficiency of the store's departments.
- Identified opportunities for cost savings through waste reduction initiatives.
- Managed daily banking activities such as deposits and withdrawals.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
- Implemented efficient systems for tracking stock movement.
- Created weekly work schedules for store personnel.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner.
- Planned special promotions or discounts based on market trends.
- Organized promotional events to increase product awareness.
- Prepared monthly reports on sales figures, expenses, profits.
- Performed regular price checks to ensure competitive pricing.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed orders to restock shelves.
- Developed relationships with suppliers to negotiate better prices.
- Established customer service standards and monitored staff compliance.
- Developed strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
- Conducted daily store operations, including opening and closing procedures and cash handling.
- Recruited, trained and supervised new employees.
- Monitored employee performance and identified performance gaps for corrective action.
- Generated repeat business by responding to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service.
- Oversaw inventory management through cycle counts, audits and shrinkage control.
- Preserved product quality by maintaining stockrooms and disposing of damaged items.
- Exceeded team goals and resolved issues by sharing and implementing customer service initiatives.
- Built customer confidence by actively listening to concerns and complaints and quickly resolving issues.
- Balanced sales, reconciled cash and made bank deposits to facilitate opening and closing duties.
- Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction and store operations through relationship building and daily problem-solving.
- Delivered excellent customer service and adhered to standard practices to maximize sales and minimize shrinkage.
- Identified operational issues and implemented appropriate process improvements to promote workplace safety and productivity.
- Reviewed customer feedback to make operational improvements and promote satisfaction.
- Strengthened work flow productivity by hiring, managing and developing top talent.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Prepared weekly schedules to verify proper floor coverage within fiscal guidelines.
- Built relationships with key customers and stakeholders to grow business networks and locate new opportunities.
- Updated and maintained store signage and displays.
- Evaluated store performance and incorporated feedback to implement improvement plans.
- Oversaw storewide merchandising benchmarks to maintain operational excellence.
- Trained and mentored associates to teach daily tasks and procedures.
- Showcased and built visually appealing displays and signs to encourage customers to buy specific products.
- Established store tactics and strategies to achieve operational performance and sales goals.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed new orders for merchandise to keep supply well-stocked.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to measure productivity or goal achievement.
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific duties.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Appraised inventory levels on frequent basis, ordering new merchandise to keep quantities well-stocked.
- Implemented campaigns and promotions to help with developing goods and services.
- Forecasted customer demand to set prices or credit terms for goods or services.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Systems Analysis And Design
Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI05-1997
BBA - Management Information Systems
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI05-1991
Skills
- Shipping New Products
- ROI Analysis
- Scrum Framework
- Jira, Atlassian, Rally
- User Feedback Collection
- Improvement Metrics Measurement
- A/B Testing
- User and UX Research
- [Type] marketing
- Interpersonal Communication
- Narrative use cases
- Staff Management
- Computer Coding
- Customer Empathy
- Attention to Detail
- Product positioning
- Critical Thinking
- Timeline Management
- Data Analytics
- CSS, HTML
- Product issue resolution
- Documentation Management
- Digital Marketing
- Vendor Management
- Search Engine Optimization
- Sales Enhancement
- Customer training
- Customer Segmentation
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
EComm Product Manager
Shoe Carnival
05.2024 - 08.2024
Web Content Manager
Rogan's Shoes
01.2009 - 05.2024
Store Manager
Rogan's Shoes
03.1995 - 01.2010
Associate of Applied Science - Systems Analysis And Design
Fox Valley Technical College
BBA - Management Information Systems
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh