Karen Behrens
Owens Cross Roads,AL
Summary
Assistant Store Manager with strong skills in mentoring and staff management, demonstrating effective problem-solving and leadership abilities. Achievements include enhancing team performance through strategic planning and process improvements. Proven success in customer service management and maintaining optimal inventory levels, significantly reducing shrinkage and loss percentages.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Store Manager - SASM
Home Depot 884
Decatur, AL
05.2025 - Current
- Resolved customer complaints through active listening, documentation, and solution implementation.
- Conducted regular walk-throughs, guiding team members to enhance store appearance and professionalism.
- Delegated tasks based on team strengths to maximize floor coverage and service efficiency.
- Coached store associates through structured and informal interactions for skill enhancement.
- Facilitated ongoing development of store associates to drive sales performance and outcomes.
- Analyzed monthly sales and performance data to inform operational planning and strategic decisions.
- Mentored employees to boost sales, emphasizing effective upselling and cross-selling techniques.
- Built strong relationships with service providers to increase sales and establish a pipeline for future success.
- Created a bridge to support OASM, MASM and SASM which unifies all AORs to ensure a seamless management team
Assistant Store Manager - OASM
The Home Depot Inc - 0812
Scottsboro, AL
01.2022 - 05.2025
- Created effective business plans to focus strategic decisions on long-term objectives.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Coordinated and directed activities of businesses or departments concerning production, pricing and sales.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to measure productivity or goal achievement.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Led teams in planning, implementation and execution of merchandising and operating initiatives to streamline business effectiveness.
- Delegated assignments based on team strengths to optimize floor coverage and service levels.
Assistant Store Manager - SASM
The Home Depot Inc
Scottsboro, AL
11.2017 - 01.2022
- Handled complaints from customers by empathetically listening, recording details and offering solutions.
- Completed frequent walk-throughs and directed team members to correct issues impacting store appearance or professionalism.
- Delegated assignments based on team strengths to optimize floor coverage and service levels.
- Coached and developed store associates through formal and informal interactions.
- Assisted in continuous development of effective store associates to achieve desired sales and results.
- Checked monthly sales and performance reports to support operational planning and strategic decision-making.
- Provided mentorship for employees to generate sales, promote effective upselling and cross-sell to improve retail productivity.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
Department Supervisor
The Home Depot Inc - 0888
Huntsville, AL
10.2016 - 11.2017
- Addressed employee issues and conflicts to provide input, feedback and coaching.
- Trained and mentored new associates on department policies and procedures.
- Delegated tasks appropriate to individual employees to provide development opportunities.
- Supervised multiple employees in 10 department and delegated each one with tasks and responsibilities.
- Mentored employees in management of complicated sales, complex issues and difficult customers.
- Led employee performance evaluations and rewarded top performers to retain quality personnel.
- Raised profits by setting ambitious sales goals for employees, encouraging sales staff, prioritizing customer service and resolving customer issues.
- Connected with customers to provide assistance and collect feedback to optimize operations.
- Maintained high merchandising standards by building attractive displays and monitoring inventory levels.
D31 Associate
The Home Depot Inc - 0888
Huntsville, AL
04.2015 - 10.2016
- Answered customer questions and addressed problems and complaints in person and via phone.
- Handled complaints from customers by empathetically listening, recording details and offering solutions.
- Assisted in continuous development of effective store associates to achieve desired sales and results.
- Provided mentorship for employees to generate sales, promote effective upselling and cross-sell to improve retail productivity.
- Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Implemented campaigns and promotions to help with developing goods and services.
Teacher
Whiteville City Schools
Whiteville, NC
08.2001 - 07.2007
- Encouraged student critical thinking and discussion using variety of teaching techniques.
- Managed student behavior in classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures.
- Prepared and presented lesson plans in academic subjects using traditional and modern teaching techniques.
- Led students through safety procedures for active shooter and fire drills.
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Participated in workshops, trainings and conferences to improve educational skills.
- Met with administrators and department team members to work on curriculum planning and assessment methods.
Business Administrator
Medical Field
Fort Myers, FL
04.1986 - 06.1997
- Maintained work safety and followed established operating procedures and practices.
- Managed office operations, scheduling and inventory audits.
- Implemented business processes to streamline daily operations and increase efficiency.
- Established and maintained effective communication between business units and senior management.
- Optimized profit and growth opportunities to increase performance outcomes and direct business transformations.
- Planned, coordinated and controlled daily operations of sales, financial management and human resources.
- Provided strategic direction on prioritization, integration and resource application.
Education
Associate of Science - Medicine (Pre-Medicine)
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL06.1984
Skills
- People care and support
- Team building
- Talent development
- Retail operations management
- Order processing
- Issue resolution
- Coaching and mentoring
- Detail orientation
- Staff management
- Task delegation
- Process improvement
- Verbal and written communication
- Customer service leadership
- Performance evaluation
- Sales strategies
- Strategic planning
- Shrink reduction
- Inventory management
Accomplishments
- Orange Spotlight Award for outstanding in Q4 of 2022
- Homer Badge Diamond Recipient
- District mentor for AOR SASMs and OASMs
- Developed processes and routines which resulted in store 812 achieving Shrink Buster status post inventory for years 2023 and 2024
- Worked diligently to educate associates on safety practices which resulted in 812 graduating from being a Safety Focus store
- Upon arrival at 884 I assumed the role of Inventory Leader for the 2025 inventory which contributed to 884 achieving Shrink Buster status post inventory for the year 2025
Timeline
Assistant Store Manager - SASM
Home Depot 884
05.2025 - Current
Assistant Store Manager - OASM
The Home Depot Inc - 0812
01.2022 - 05.2025
Assistant Store Manager - SASM
The Home Depot Inc
11.2017 - 01.2022
Department Supervisor
The Home Depot Inc - 0888
10.2016 - 11.2017
D31 Associate
The Home Depot Inc - 0888
04.2015 - 10.2016
Teacher
Whiteville City Schools
08.2001 - 07.2007
Business Administrator
Medical Field
04.1986 - 06.1997
Associate of Science - Medicine (Pre-Medicine)
Miami Dade College