Kennith Bowker
Ashland,MA
Summary
Experienced analytical and strategic leader with over twenty years of proven success managing and developing teams, building brands, and delivering exceptional sales and leadership results in both field and Home Office environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Brand Director - Head of Operations
Awestruck Ciders
Sidney, NY
04.2023 - Current
- Oversee all functions of the business, including day-to-day operations, administrative needs, budget preparation, and reporting.
- Created content for marketing campaigns, including videos, emails, press releases, website copy, and social media posts.
- Managed the development of creative assets.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Established and maintained quality control standards throughout the manufacturing process.
- Monitored inventory levels of raw materials, supplies, finished goods, and tools.
- Supervised all staff members in their daily operations to ensure adherence to company policies and procedures.
- Developed and implemented recruitment strategies to attract qualified candidates.
- Developed performance management systems including goal setting, performance reviews, corrective action plans and disciplinary procedures for all employees.
- Analyzed customer demand patterns to optimize stock levels and minimize costs.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to ensure competitive pricing on materials and services.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to distribution activities.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to increase market share.
- Developed and executed brand-building strategies to increase consumer awareness, engagement, and loyalty.
Head Of Visual Operations
Wayfair
Boston, MA
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Coordinated and directed all activities of the departments related to standing up the Wayfair Physical Retail Stores.
- Lead the building of the Retail Store Organization Structure and Operating Model.
- Oversaw fixture development, procurement, and Store layout.
- Reviewed all architecture drawings and noted changes.
- Reviewed all technical and shop drawings for fixtures and communicated changes.
- Worked closely with Store Builds Team and third party millworker and construction teams to design, procure, and install all fixtures in both mock store space and physical retail stores.
- Department Calendar and timeline creation and management.
- Produced SOPs to document workplace procedures and optimize productivity through standardization.
- Anticipated and tracked operational and tactical risks to provide strategic solutions.
- Developed initiatives for process improvement and reviewed and assessed ongoing operations.
- Responsible for leading New Store Openings.
- Managed third party labor needs and project management needs.
- Delivered all Department project updates to senior leadership.
Senior Manager - Strategy,Training,Communications
TJX
Framingham , MA
02.2019 - 05.2022
- Developed and led process improvements to optimize operations and reduce costs.
- Managed travel budgets and expenses.
- Acted as a mentor for Field Leaders who needed support with P&L review and management.
- Responsible for Brand Partnerships used to support Customer Service and Experience - particularly Home Delivery and Customer Experience Stations (Call Buttons), both used to drive incremental sales.
- Worked with Marketing team to build brand awareness through both customer and associate facing training and communication.
- Provided operational updates to executive team to mitigate areas of concern by tracking initiatives, clarifying project scopes and prioritizing tasks.
- Delivered a profit for new brand through smart fixture development, reductions in unnecessary spend, strong damage and shrink training and careful control of payroll and supply expenses.
- Created COVID response manual for Field Leadership.
- Responsible for COVID related communication to Stores and Field Leaders.
- Managed Store Gift Card Program.
- Oversaw fixture design and development including roll out and all fixture reduction programs.
- Managed New Store Opening timelines.
- Responsible for creating and managing the Non Traditional Workplace Program for the Brand.
- Launched a strategic roadmap for the department to ensure the needs of the business were balanced, organized and exceeded.
- Acted as a liaison between various business partners across the organization to ensure the needs of all functions were supported through both training and communication.
- Responsible for overseeing, developing, and executing the internal communication strategy for all stores.
- Collaborated with teams to promote, plan and organize communication materials posted and distributed across multiple platforms.
- Responsible for overseeing, developing, and executing the field training strategy for all stores.
- Worked with subject matter experts to validate relevancy of content.
- Designed training programs and provided training follow-up to incorporate feedback into future modules.
- Managed digital content programs for all store facing devices (MOOD Media, Workjam)
- Responsible for Creating and launching the first fully digital District Leadership Training Program.
- Project Managed the e-learning process from ideation to implementation.
- Lead the instructor lead training programs, guides, and materials for field learners.
- Evaluated individuals regularly for progress or growth potential to guide decisions regarding advancement and additional training.
- Managed learning experience consistent with company philosophy and company-wide strategies.
- Measured and improved the effectiveness of training and communications effectively allowing stores more time to focus on the Customer, resulting in increased sales opportunities.
- Responsible for planning annual Store Leadership Conference including theme, swag, content, leadership speeches, videos, etc.
- Directly supervised both Home Office and Field Training and Communication Leaders.
- Acted as a representative for Store Operations during the launch of the supporting .com business.
- Ensured strong alignment with sister brands to reduce confusion, competing priorities and drive continuous support of the company goals.
- Actively developed a team of support persons into strategic, well balanced, trusted regional leaders who were responsible for the success of the teams within their assigned areas.
- Participated in the Better Up leadership mentor program.
- Participated in the Emerging Leaders development program for those recognized with the potential for promotion to VP or above within 1 year.
Senior Manager - VM + Brand Expansion
West Elm
New York, NY
09.2011 - 02.2019
- Lead team both in the Field and Home Office responsible for driving sales and increasing profits through meaningful and impactful visual merchandising decisions and initiatives.
- Lead teams in both Domestic and International Brand Expansion including product assortment and placement, Fixture Development, Store Design, People Development, and Marketing/Signage.
- Acted as a Brand Ambassador, owning the relationship with Franchise Partners - guiding them with merchandise selection, store layout and training choices that directly impacted and protected the Brand Identity.
- Responsible for all aspects of New Store Openings including store layout, assortment, support staff, training, signage, props, daily tasks, leadership reviews, final walk throughs, and collaboration with Project Managers.
- Collaborated with Finance, Legal and HR departments to ensure alignment and adherence to all guidelines set by each individual team.
- Managed Department Budgets -Corporate and Field Travel Budgets, Prop Procurement and Signage Spend for Seasonal and promotional Signage.
- Inspired team members to build and execute detailed Brand Visual Standards and Training materials for onboarding and future development plans.
- Created Visual Merchandising strategies for global roll out, floor sets, seasonal flips, etc.
- Partner closely with Merchant teams to plan and evaluate the needs and decisions on both a chain wide and individual level for skus and categories.
- Designed retail fixtures and sign holders and negotiated contracts with fixture vendors.
- Responsible for Capital Budget planning and spend.
- Reviewed and directed changes for all new store layouts, builds, renovations and remodels for domestic and international stores.
- Responsible for the Visual Component for all Brand Partnerships including merchandising, signage, and fixtures.
- As a District Leader, was responsible for 11 Stores across multiple states and demographics and provided direction, training, and guidance on all visual, operational, financial, and people aspects of the business.
- Developed strategic recommendations for performance and productivity including fixture changes, assortment expansions, and inventory level adjustments.
- Recognized as a People First Winner - an award that recognizes leaders who go above and beyond to focus on all aspects of their people.
- Lead the team through successful organizational changes in leadership and team roll up.
- Recognized as a talent champion by actively mentoring and developing my teams to their own internal promotions or stretch assignments.
- Oversaw the succession planning for the department and team - aligning talent where it would benefit both the individuals goals and the team goals.
- Served as a leader with vision - visiting stores and championing and modeling the values of the brand and building engaged teams across the country.
Flagship Visual Manager + Brand Expansion
Crate & Barrel
New York, NY
09.2000 - 09.2011
- Lead a team of leaders focused on driving sales, inspiring customers, and delivering World Class Customer Service through a People First culture.
- Responsible for product quantity ordering weekly.
- Developed visual merchandising strategy for the store, reinforcing the Brand standards and Visual Merchandising Strategy.
- Built constructive, effective relationships across district to align support for visual merchandising.
- Analyzed business performance data and forecasted business results.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- Responsible for Leading the visual presentation, set up, and training at New Store Openings throughout the US and Canada.
- Acted as a Brand Ambassador.
- Managed the product assortment for the store(s) within my assigned area.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English And Secondary Education
Framingham State University
Framingham, Massachusetts 05.2000
Skills
- Staff Scheduling
- Business Leadership
- Hiring and Onboarding
- Finance and Accounting Oversight
- Department Oversight
- Performance Evaluation and Monitoring
- Management Team Building
- Cost Reduction
- Process Improvements
- Budget Control
- Policy Development and Enforcement
- Staff Development
- Operations Oversight
- Goal Setting
- Layout Planning
- Capital Expenditures Oversight
- Calendar Management
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Presentation Development and Delivery
- Capital Spending
- Relationship Building
- Organizational Structuring
- Strategic Planning
- P&L Administration
- Change Management
Timeline
Brand Director - Head of Operations
Awestruck Ciders
04.2023 - Current
Head Of Visual Operations
Wayfair
05.2022 - 01.2023
Senior Manager - Strategy,Training,Communications
TJX
02.2019 - 05.2022
Senior Manager - VM + Brand Expansion
West Elm
09.2011 - 02.2019
Flagship Visual Manager + Brand Expansion
Crate & Barrel
09.2000 - 09.2011
Bachelor of Arts - English And Secondary Education
Framingham State University
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