Jennifer Kitchen
Fort Collins,CO
Summary
Accomplished Director with 10+ years of experience leading large teams, both remote and onsite, across multiple states. Experienced in multi-unit acquisitions and achieving P&L targets. Encouraging leader and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, consistent mentoring and fostering a team culture to enhance team engagement and boost performance.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Corporate Operations
Sola Salon Studios, LLC
01.2022 - Current
- Recruited, trained and mentored 12 Area Managers and 2 Operation Managers, across 4 states (CA, CO, MD and VA) generating $32M annual sales.
- Works directly with VP of Operations for annual budgeting for all 67 Corporate Owned locations.
- Successfully completed a 21 location / 900+ client acquisition across Maryland and Virginia and exceeded occupancy goals.
- Heavily integrated with all facilities, across all locations: HVAC needs, plumbing, general troubleshooting of low voltage needs, etc. Works closely with Director of Facilities to maintain overall health across 67 locations.
- Works closely with outside vendors for repairs and internal team of Facilities Managers to support the needs of location and client requests.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Fosters a strong team culture, through transparency and integrity. Mentors regularly, through training support via team calls and various ride along/onsite visits to align of business initiatives and KPI goals.
- Spearheaded the 'Test Kitchen' initiative across 67 Corporate locations, which tested various initiatives: Policies to drive occupancy, Sola brand redesigns/refreshes for studios and common areas, new pricing structure to drive revenue and various other tests for our Sola Franchisees.
- Created and implemented various policies, which increased revenue 8% in 2022 and 16% by Q2 of 2023.
District Manager
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
11.2018 - 01.2022
- Managed 150+ total employees, 36 Managers, across 29 locations in 4 states (CO, WY, NE, SD) to enforce high-quality standards of operation.
- Managed $15.5 million in sales.
- Promoted into struggling market on various sales metrics and team morale. Identified and developed top talent within management structure to promote performance-oriented culture.
- Creating and walking through IDP's and QPR's for Store Managers.
- Increased Sales over LY by +4.5% first year promoted and a +10.5% Conversion over LY.
- Organized various POD meetings for Store Managers and Associates for various trainings- getting back to basics as the main focus.
- Successfully launched various new programs: Workforce Management, JDA, X Store POS systems, Rewards Program, Rewards Credit Card, Ship from store and BOPIS- Buy online, pick up in store.
- Was chosen to be apart of a support group for Workforce Management and led calls, responded to emails and supported the US, PR and CA as this was rolled out to the company.
- Received 'District Manager-Best % to Plan' Award in 2019 for the West Coast Regions for +2.9% to plan.
- Saw a reduction in SHRINK in the market -1.58% in 2nd year.
- Continuing the focus on lessening turnover through development on new and current associates through various eLearnings, calls/webinars and chat-in's.
- Proficient on Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Workforce Management, X Store POS and iOS systems.
Store Manager Trainer
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
11.2015 - 11.2018
- Conducted training needs assessments to identify individuals' current level of skill compared to required competency for position.
- Developed a strong mentorship with those I trained by one-on-one coaching sessions, facetime calls and various regrouping sessions to redirect as needed.
- Trained employees on new software with minimum level of frustration and training friction.
- Cross-trained employees to do other jobs within business, increasing job skills and productivity.
- Role-played with employees to help sharpen skills and learn to deal with challenging situations.
- Would cover the district as a whole in absence of District Manager.
- Rallied peers to SWAT stores- stores needing additional support I would gather 3-4 managers and get stores caught up to speed on resets and various trainings needed to prep store for new manager.
Store Manager
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
06.2008 - 11.2015
- Coached and empowered employees by creating and sharing motivational vision plans.
- Improved store status from market worst to best by implementing process improvements and identifying performance gaps for corrective action.
- Collaborated with visual merchandising team to develop strategies to drive profitability.
- Corrected operational discrepancies by developing and executing process improvements.
- Hired, trained, evaluated performance and enforced disciplinary actions for 8 associates.
- Reduced SHRINK by 1.85% by implementing effective operational improvements.
- Increased profits 8% over LY by restructuring store layouts to enable efficient inventory management and performing financial planning and sales metric analysis.
- Received Top 10 Manager award for 2013.
Assistant Manager
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
01.2008 - 06.2008
- Planned and prepared workflow schedules, delegating tasks for 8 associates.
- Cultivated hands-on training, assessment, guidance and performance monitoring programs to coach and mentor employees.
- Supported sales management initiatives to optimize business development.
- Delegated daily tasks to team members to optimize group productivity.
- Analyzed monthly sales and performance reports to support operational planning and strategic decision making.
- Maintained inventory accuracy by counting stock-on-hand and reconciling discrepancies.
- Enforced company policies and procedures to strengthen operational standards across departments.
- Analyzed trends, identifying consumer demand and forecasting seasonal trends to streamline operations.
Beauty Advisor
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
09.2007 - 01.2008
- Basic functions of cashier duties, opening/closing of the store and preparing for the next day
- Capitalized on upselling opportunities for additional products and services to increase sales numbers.
- Stayed up-to-date on current and emerging trends to increase professional value and meet diverse client needs.
- Recommended appropriate products to meet customers' individual needs.
- Fostered clean and sanitary work environment to protect customers and staff from infection.
Education
High School Diploma -
Apollo High School
Simi Valley, CA06.2002
No Degree - Cosmetology And Aesthetics
Simi Valley School of Cosmetology
Simi Valley01.2005
Skills
- Team Engagement
- Corporate Budgeting
- Drive Profitability - P&L Reports
- Strategy and Growth Minded
- 'Whatever it takes' Mentality
- Business Analytics
- Strong Developmental Focus
- High Attention to Detail
- Conflict Resolution
Timeline
Director of Corporate Operations
Sola Salon Studios, LLC
01.2022 - Current
District Manager
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
11.2018 - 01.2022
Store Manager Trainer
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
11.2015 - 11.2018
Store Manager
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
06.2008 - 11.2015
Assistant Manager
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
01.2008 - 06.2008
Beauty Advisor
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.
09.2007 - 01.2008
High School Diploma -
Apollo High School
No Degree - Cosmetology And Aesthetics
Simi Valley School of Cosmetology
Similar Profiles
JENNI NGUYENJENNI NGUYEN
Leasing Manager at Sola Salon Studios – Salon FreedomLeasing Manager at Sola Salon Studios – Salon Freedom
Sherrie BoothSherrie Booth
Business Operations/Salon Leasing Consultant at Sola Salon StudiosBusiness Operations/Salon Leasing Consultant at Sola Salon Studios
Cindy OlivarezCindy Olivarez
Salon Owner/Operator at Sola Salons StudiosSalon Owner/Operator at Sola Salons Studios