JULIA KESTER
Wilmington,DE
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in sales strategy development, vendor relationship management, and market trend analysis. Demonstrates strong leadership and analytical skills to drive sales growth and enhance product offerings. Seeking to advance as an Assistant Sales Manager by leveraging experience in merchandising and financial management to support team success.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Manager, Bakery
Albertsons Mid-Atlantic
Malvern, PA
01.2026 - Current
- Assisted sales team in meeting quarterly goals through effective planning and execution.
- Created training sessions to improve team skills and product knowledge.
- Reviewed market trends to uncover new business opportunities and enhance inventory management.
- Built strong connections with key clients, which improved customer loyalty and retention.
- Executed promotional efforts that increased product visibility and sales.
- Tracked sales metrics to evaluate team performance and adapt strategies as needed.
- Conducted performance evaluations, offering constructive feedback for individual improvement.
- Resolved customer issues promptly, ensuring high client satisfaction.
- Coordinated regular sales meetings to assess progress, share insights, and set realistic targets for ongoing success.
- Negotiated agreements with vendors for favorable pricing and terms, enhancing company profitability.
- Acquired extensive product knowledge to provide customized solutions for client needs.
- Delivered ongoing training and support for junior sales staff, promoting their professional growth.
Assistant Sales Manager, Bakery
Albertsons Mid-Atlantic
Malvern, PA
09.2020 - 01.2026
- Assisted in the development and implementation of sales strategies to achieve organizational objectives.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key vendors for deal negotiations and business updates.
- Analyzed competitor activity and developed strategies for staying ahead of the competition.
- Conducted market research to identify trends and opportunities.
- Performed regular reviews of department performance relative to KPIs.
- Generated and tracked sales reports to measure sales performance.
- Analyzed sales trends to maximize gross margin opportunities.
- Analyzed market trends and customer feedback to identify areas for improvement in product offerings.
- Designed schematics and recommended product adjacencies to support category roles.
- Determined appropriate product assortments- authorizing new items and discontinuing lines based on their potential contribution.
- Monitored costs, competition and supply and demand to establish and adjust selling prices.
- Worked closely with the procurement function to ensure desired service levels and optimal inventory positions.
- Coordinated promotional plans and merchandising messages within the department.
- Prepared bulletins to help motivate the operations team in meeting weekly goals.
- Provided guidance and mentorship for operations team members.
Operations Specialist, Bakery
Acme Markets
Malvern, PA
10.2015 - 09.2020
- Resolved customer service issues in a timely manner, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Managed projects from conception through completion, developing plans, assigning tasks, and monitoring progress.
- Created detailed reports summarizing operational performance metrics for management review.
- Ensured compliance with organizational policies and regulatory standards throughout all operations.
- Trained new staff on proper operating procedures and provided ongoing support as needed.
- Assisted with team and company-wide projects as needed.
- Assisted in opening new and remodeled stores.
- Identified potential risks associated with daily activities and implemented strategies to mitigate them.
- Established effective communication channels between Merchandising and Store teams to facilitate collaboration and execution.
- Executed plans measured through store visits, reviewing results of plans, and observing store department conditions.
- Provided merchandising input back to Division Sales Managers and Assistant Sales Manager.
- Analyzed existing operations and identified opportunities for process improvement.
- Measured Store-level performance through department sales, gross profit, and labor percent.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, technologies, best practices, regulations.
- Developed and maintained training programs that will ensure the availability of qualified associates to fill respective departments' positions in the company.
Bakery Manager
Acme Markets
Media, PA
10.2009 - 10.2015
- Trained new employees in baking and cake decorating techniques, food safety standards and customer service skills.
- Maintained a high level of product quality by ensuring proper procedures were followed for all baked goods.
- Recommended items to customers to fulfill bakery requests and provided excellent customer service.
- Developed and implemented effective strategies to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Cross-trained team members to build individual capabilities and secure adequate bakery coverage.
- Ensured compliance with local health codes, regulations and other applicable laws governing the industry.
- Enforced safety, health, and security rules.
- Demonstrated expertise in managing bakery operations, including production, staffing and inventory control.
- Collaborated with other departments on special projects or initiatives requiring cross-functional coordination.
- Implemented effective promotional and seasonal displays of cakes and bakery items, checking labels for proper pricing.
- Created weekly schedules to ensure adequate staff coverage during peak hours.
- Established and implemented policies, goals, objectives, and procedures for department.
- Inventoried stock and reordered when inventory dropped to specified level.
Sales Associate
Acme Markets
Wilmington, DE
11.2004 - 10.2009
- Performed sales floor work, such as greeting and assisting customers, stocking shelves and taking inventory.
- Performed cleaning tasks, keeping store neat and organized.
- Assisted customers with product selection to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Encouraged customers to make additional purchases and suggested relevant items.
- Operated cash register and POS to handle purchases, refunds, and exchanges for customers.
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills, resolving customer complaints efficiently and courteously.
- Tagged new merchandise for sale and updated signs.
- Met merchandising standards by keeping store stocked and products faced.
- Assisted with training and mentoring new team members.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of store policies regarding payments, returns, exchanges and security practices.
- Arranged and display merchandise to promote sales.
Education
High School Diploma - undefined
ChiChester
ChiChester, PASkills
- Directed marketing initiatives and consumer research efforts to optimize financial management practices
- Oversaw store operations and merchandising strategies while monitoring P&L and financial outcomes
- Interpreted profit and loss statements to assess and enhance performance in managed categories
- Leveraged analytical and problem-solving skills to drive initiatives and influence strategic decisions
- Executed comprehensive planning and organization to streamline operations
- Cultivated strong written and verbal communication skills to build effective business relationships
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities to inspire and guide teams toward achieving goals
- Managed procurement, logistics, and inventory processes to improve efficiencies
- Applied advanced computer proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and internet research
Timeline
Sales Manager, Bakery
Albertsons Mid-Atlantic
01.2026 - Current
Assistant Sales Manager, Bakery
Albertsons Mid-Atlantic
09.2020 - 01.2026
Operations Specialist, Bakery
Acme Markets
10.2015 - 09.2020
Bakery Manager
Acme Markets
10.2009 - 10.2015
Sales Associate
Acme Markets
11.2004 - 10.2009
High School Diploma - undefined
ChiChester