Kayla Thomas
Lutz,FL
Summary
Versatile and results-driven Executive Team Leader with 10+ years of progressive experience at Target, leading high-performing teams across Specialty Sales, Human Resources, and Store Operations. Proven success in driving sales, enhancing guest experience, and developing diverse, engaged teams in fast-paced, high-volume environments. Skilled in talent development, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic planning, with a strong background in HRIS (Workday), scheduling, and performance management. Certified in Strategic Human Resources Leadership from eCornell, with a track record of aligning people strategies with business goals and delivering measurable outcomes through data-driven decision-making.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Specialty Sales Executive Team Leader
Target
Tampa, FL
08.2025 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations and sales performance across Apparel & Accessories, Beauty, and Electronics departments in a high-volume retail environment.
- Led and developed a team of 15–25 team members, providing clear direction, ongoing coaching, and performance feedback to drive a guest-focused culture.
- Executed compelling visual merchandising strategies and ensured brand standards were met, resulting in increased conversion and improved guest experience.
- Partnered with Visual Merchandiser and Style Consultant teams to maintain consistent, brand-right presentations across all softlines categories.
- Collaborated with vendor partners (e.g., Apple, Samsung, Ulta Beauty) to optimize product knowledge, in-stock levels, and promotional execution.
- Analyzed daily sales data, traffic patterns, and inventory reports using company tools to identify sales opportunities and make improvements
- Maintained accurate pricing, signing, and promotional setups to ensure execution of weekly ad transitions and seasonal resets.
- Ensured strong in-stock levels and product availability by partnering with inbound and replenishment teams on effective inventory flow and backroom organization.
- Resolved guest concerns with professionalism, resulting in improved NPS (Net Promoter Score) and repeat visits.
- Played a key role in store-wide initiatives such as floor set transitions, remodels, and holiday readiness planning.
Food & Beverage Executive Team Leader
Target
Westminster, CO
07.2024 - 08.2025
- Led daily operations for the food and beverage department, managing inventory, merchandising, food safety, and team development in a high-volume retail environment.
- Drove sales and profitability by optimizing product placement, minimizing waste, and maintaining planogram accuracy across fresh, frozen, and dry grocery categories.
- Managed, trained, and developed a team of 30-50 team members, fostering a culture of accountability, performance, and guest-first service.
- Maintained 100% compliance with Target’s food safety and quality standards through routine audits, temperature logs, and expiration date management.
- Partnered cross-functionally with inbound, presentation, and store operations leaders to execute seasonal transitions and promotional strategies.
- Delivered excellent guest experiences by ensuring product availability, signage accuracy, and clean, organized presentation in all food areas.
- Supported store-wide initiatives including inventory counts, store remodels, and safety audits while meeting food department KPIs.
- Utilized tools such as Workbench, MyDay, and Store Operations Dashboard to monitor performance, guide scheduling, and streamline department operations.
Human Resources Executive Team Leader
Target
Westminster, CO
12.2022 - 07.2024
- Oversee 225+ employees from diverse backgrounds and perspectives and ensure everyone is provided an equitable experience and inclusive environment
- Monitor employee productivity, culture, engagement and retention for trends and implement and execute changes needed in the organization
- Build strong relationships with leaders and employees to gain buy in around new business best practices and HR focuses
- Act as a neutral third party with peers when administering a coaching for high-level violations of policies or conduct offenses that may lead to separation of employment
- Ensure alignment of HR practices with the company's mission, focuses and strategic goals for long term success of the organizations
- Ensure that all leaders adhere to performance management guidelines, and properly submit documentations in a timely manner and apply needed changes to write ups to reduce legal risk
- Utilize and analyze previous years' payroll, new hires and termination trends quarterly to be strategic around staffing within specific departments
Human Resources Team Leader
Target
Denver, CO
04.2021 - 12.2022
- Handle training for 50+ people, including onboarding new employees through pre-screening/interviewing, conducting orientation to acquaint them with company's policies and focuses. As well as oversee continuous learning of all store employees.
- Conduct formal and informal coaching to various associates in a constructive manner to help build strong skills needed to perform essential job duties.
- Proficiently utilize company HR systems to enter, manage and monitor information pertinent to HR and the store business.
- Continuously challenge peer's routines around talent management, training and development to create highly engage teams that meet key metrics and company goals
Service & Engagement Team Leader
Target
Clearwater, FL
03.2020 - 04.2021
- Delivered an exceptional shopping experience by creating a welcoming environment and leveraging guest feedback to adjust daily priorities and enhance satisfaction.
- Actively analyzed guest insights and trends to realign team focus, ensuring evolving guest needs were met across all touchpoints.
- Conducted consistent team observations to provide timely feedback, recognition, and coaching, fostering a culture centered on efficiency and guest savings.
- Developed a high-performing team committed to delivering fast, friendly, and value-driven service, resulting in improved guest satisfaction scores and loyalty.
- Reinforced Target's value promise by leading service strategies that emphasized saving time and money for every guest interaction.
Team Member
Target
Spring Hill, FL
08.2015 - 03.2020
- Human Resources Expert- create an open door policy to connect with fellow peers and use feedback to help build a positive culture amongst the store while
remaining confidential - Salesfloor Associate- use guest standards and product specific knowledge to assist guests with questions or concerns
Skills
Scheduling- 6 years
Payroll Management- 5 years
HRIS (Workday) - 6 years
Recruiting- 5 years
Talent Management- 5 years
Performance Management- 5 years
Customer Service- 10 years
Timeline
Specialty Sales Executive Team Leader
Target
08.2025 - Current
Food & Beverage Executive Team Leader
Target
07.2024 - 08.2025
Human Resources Executive Team Leader
Target
12.2022 - 07.2024
Human Resources Team Leader
Target
04.2021 - 12.2022
Service & Engagement Team Leader
Target
03.2020 - 04.2021
Team Member
Target
08.2015 - 03.2020