Jennifer Smith
Franklin
Summary
Customer-focused operations leader with 14+ years of experience managing multi-site teams and leading onboarding, training, and large-scale execution initiatives in B2B/Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) environments. Proven ability to coach teams to exceed performance goals, improve workflows, and deliver consistent, high-quality customer experiences. Experienced in SaaS platforms and remote collaboration tools, with strong skills in process standardization and cross-functional teamwork.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Merchandising Operations Manager
Grower Merchandising Service
08.2020 - 04.2026
- Led and coached a distributed team of 40+ employees and frontline managers across multiple locations, driving performance against operational goals and timelines
- Oversaw large-scale rollouts, resets, and logistics planning, consistently delivering high-quality, on time execution
- Managed client relationships within a B2B/Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) model, ensuring service delivery, issue resolution, and long-term account satisfaction
- Partnered with cross-functional stakeholders and external partners to align priorities and execution strategies
- Conducted regular 1:1s and performance coaching, increasing team productivity, engagement, and retention
- Owned onboarding, training, and development of new hires, improving ramp-up time and ensuring consistent execution of company standards
- Tracked team performance using reporting tools (Avantalytics), improving visibility into KPIs and supporting data-driven coaching decisions
- Developed and implemented SOPs to standardize workflows and improve operational efficiency across teams
- Served as escalation point for team members, resolving complex issues and maintaining strong client relationships
- Launched a seasonal employee retention program, achieving a 75%+ return rate and improving workforce stability
Regional Merchandising Manager
Grower Merchandising Service
03.2016 - 08.2020
- Directed regional merchandising strategies, aligning product placement with customer preferences to enhance sales performance.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to execute seasonal promotions, driving increased visibility and customer engagement.
- Implemented comprehensive training programs for merchandising staff, elevating product knowledge and execution standards across regions.
- Analyzed market trends and consumer insights to inform merchandising decisions, optimizing inventory turnover and profitability.
New England Merchandiser Coordinator
Grower Merchandising Service
08.2012 - 03.2016
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to deliver merchandising strategies that aligned with market trends and customer preferences.
- Developed comprehensive training materials for merchandising staff, enhancing product knowledge and execution capabilities across all locations.
- Analyzed sales data to inform inventory management decisions, optimizing stock levels and improving turnover rates.
- Directed seasonal promotional activities, increasing product visibility and driving customer engagement through strategic placements.
- Implemented standard operating procedures for merchandising tasks, contributing to streamlined processes and enhanced execution quality.
Merchandiser
Grower Merchandising Service
04.2012 - 08.2012
- Supported onboarding and training of team members in operational procedures and company standards
- Executed planograms and maintained displays to ensure consistency and quality
- Communicated with leadership to prioritize tasks and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment
- Built strong working relationships with store teams to support smooth execution
Merchandising Execution Team Associate
The Home Depot
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Executed merchandising strategies and maintained product displays aligned with planograms
- Identified workflow inefficiencies and implemented process improvements to improve team productivity
- Supported team coordination and project execution to meet deadlines and operational goals
- Contributed to SOP development to standardize tasks and improve consistency
Education
Coursework towards Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Community College of Rhode Island
Lincoln01-2006
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Performance Coaching
- KPI Management
- Process Improvement
- SOP Development
- Training & Development
- Employee Retention
- Client Relations
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Certification
- Certified Nursing Assistant, 2000
- Licensed Nursing Assistant, 2001
- Licensed Medication Aide, 2004
Tools And Technology
- Avantalytics (SaaS)
- Zoom
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Dropbox
- Reporting & Dashboards
- Data-Driven Decision Making
Timeline
Merchandising Operations Manager
Grower Merchandising Service
08.2020 - 04.2026
Regional Merchandising Manager
Grower Merchandising Service
03.2016 - 08.2020
New England Merchandiser Coordinator
Grower Merchandising Service
08.2012 - 03.2016
Merchandiser
Grower Merchandising Service
04.2012 - 08.2012
Merchandising Execution Team Associate
The Home Depot
01.2008 - 01.2012
Coursework towards Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Community College of Rhode Island