Kazuya Ohara
Eagan,MN
Summary
Eclectic analytics executive with Fortune 50 experience in fast-paced, data-driven environments. Highly skilled in building teams that win by translating insights into targeted actions. Problem solver who generates energy around the execution of big ideas driving competitive differentiation and brand affinity. Tested leader who has a track record of successfully aligning the hearts & minds of people in pursuit of a shared purpose.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Corporate Operations
Heritage Grocers Group LLC
2022.05 - 2023.06
- Recruited 2nd time by CEO to turn around organization’s profit drain while assisting with merger & acquisition activities (M&A) for Midwest Region. Led a team of 7 direct reports responsible for data analytics, e-commerce, loyalty programs, asset protection, digital marketing, supply chain operations, and vendor contract management
- Secured x5 major e-commerce contracts as new lines of business, resulting in sales increase of 46% /$4.9M. This included successfully launching EBT payment capabilities on 2 platforms in just 3 months.
- Increased e-commerce loyalty penetration 585 bps / 75% (13.66 v. 7.81%) by launching marketing campaigns, reducing app latency, and enhancing digital offerings. Incremental sales were $34M.
- Enhanced customer experience by introducing over 150 new event tagging / tracking measures in Google Analytics which enabled ‘full-funnel’ insights for both web & app traffic, improving CVR.
- Stabilized net profit drain and ensured its sustainability through actioning strategic priorities identified with data. Total improvement amounted to $42.3M within first 13 months in position.
- Replaced 80%+ of legacy reporting and dashboards by consolidating source data into data lake and connecting it to Microsoft Power BI. This created ‘one source of truth’ and allowed for self-service.
Global Director, Digital Operations
Foot Locker Inc.
2020.01 - 2022.05
- Operated globally distributed team consisting of 15 members across North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, facilitating digital change transformation for 8 separate e-commerce banners.
- Fixed an under-performing web & app search platform by creating brand new algorithms for all North America, resulting in a 125 bps / 35% (4.75% v. 3.50%) lift to conversion rate (CVR). This created a personalized search experience, directing item position & selection on the product listing page (PLP).
- Implemented standard operating procedures for A / B testing in order to activate extraordinary customer experiences. This entailed always having at least 7 test variations live per week at all times.
- Retired & replaced e-commerce platforms for 18 EU countries, supporting 6 languages. This initiative coupled with enhanced customer journey mapping improved CVR 19 bps / 31% (0.80% v. 0.61%).
- Fostered impactful relationships in a matrixed organization across 7 teams through humility & empathetic leadership. These teams were key players - all essential in the accomplishments above.
Director, Analytics & Asset Protection
Heritage Grocers Group LLC
2018.11 - 2020.01
- Tasked with creating the first-ever analytics & profit protection department for the company with an extreme focus on data analytics. This entailed streamlining operations & hiring / training / retaining 'A' players who investigate data outliers & correct them to enhance net profit.
- Improved profitability by $5.1M within first 12 months through sourcing critical data points, training teams on how to synthesize insights from those data points, and executing remedial actions.
- Automated 6,240 hours of annual labor expenditure by training the entire marketing department in Pentaho & SQL. Projects included pricing elasticity, competition price comparison, promotion analysis.
- Conducted weekly innovation & technology training for the entire home office. This initiative focused on the continued growth of people, teaching how to simplify work via the effective use of technology.
Senior Manager, Analytics & Operations
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHC)
2015.10 - 2018.11
- Led a team of 5 highly-specialized senior analysts responsible for overall profit growth & strategic operations guided by data. Began as a field employee in 2004. Eventually selected in 2014 to lead corporate analytics initiatives for all vertical business units within SHC.
- Served as senior liaison responsible for connecting all vertical business units under one unified data-driven strategy (Online, Merchandising, Operations, Inventory Accounting, Field Leadership).
- Developed inventory data models which created a first-ever view of item level profit drain for SHC. This reporting provided inventory trend analysis and ROI insights to various company initiatives & pilots.
- Directed with data, weekly focus of 115 Interdictive Response Team members (IRT) across 5 regions (IRT: dynamic payroll resource designed to proactively address EBITDA opportunities by store).
Manager, Analytics & Operations
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHC)
2014.04 - 2015.10
- Managed implementation of predictive modeling to improve profitability, support all Asset Protection initiatives within SHC, and facilitate the overall simplification of tasks related to data analytics & business intelligence.
- Resolved over $10.8M of margin erosion throughout fiscal year 2015 via ad hoc data investigations related to improper price fields passed between e-commerce and omnichannel platforms(BOPIS).
- Set department-wide Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for every store, district, and region based on financial plan and production capability.
Petty Officer Second Class
United States Naval Reserves
2006.07 - 2014.07
- Deployed to the Middle East for 13 months to support OIF & OEF amongst other activations. Each time deploying, Sears Holdings would sponsor the deployment and hold my position(s) until I arrived home safely.
- Deployed with Task Group Trident, Afghanistan. Mission: create self-sustaining Afghan Army (TGT).
- Conducted data center operations for crisis management: Commander, Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ).
- Served as Lead Training Petty Officer for entire Naval Police Force Rota, Spain (NSF).
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN12.2013
Skills
- E-Commerce
- Digital Marketing
- Experimentation
- Customer Centricity
- Strategic Roadmapping
- Market Capture Insights
- P&L Accountability
- Return on Investment
- Inventory Allocation
- Revenue & Labor Forecasting
Accomplishments
- Bestowed the Army Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Army for exceptional meritorious service during combat, Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom / Task Group Trident, 2010).
- Presented the Peer Leadership Award at SHC National Conference. This is a yearly award based on peer and senior leadership nomination / feedback for over 2,000 corporate & field employees (SHC, 2016).
- Achieved the #1 district ranking for asset protection metrics. Once per year, the top performing district (29 total) is awarded for total shrink, safety, theft, and margin performance (SHC, 2013).
- Recognized by SHC for improving location external theft apprehension metrics by 125%. Award was based on improvement to 2 year average for case value, case count, and hours per apprehension (SHC 2012).
- Awarded 4 times, ‘Best of the Best’ while training at Naval Center Great Lakes out of 250+ recruits. Award is issued monthly to the top 5 trainees based on leadership prowess & academic performance (USN, 2007).
Timeline
Vice President, Corporate Operations
Heritage Grocers Group LLC
2022.05 - 2023.06
Global Director, Digital Operations
Foot Locker Inc.
2020.01 - 2022.05
Director, Analytics & Asset Protection
Heritage Grocers Group LLC
2018.11 - 2020.01
Senior Manager, Analytics & Operations
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHC)
2015.10 - 2018.11
Manager, Analytics & Operations
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHC)
2014.04 - 2015.10
Petty Officer Second Class
United States Naval Reserves
2006.07 - 2014.07
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Metropolitan State University
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