Leslie Ayala
Nordstrom
Willow Grove,PA
2
Languages
1
Certification
22
years of professional experience
Results-driven Retail Manager with expertise in leading store operations and enhancing sales growth. Focused on team collaboration to adapt to changing needs and optimize performance. Skilled in inventory management, customer service, and staff training, with strong problem-solving and communication abilities.
Work History
Store Manager
1 Year 10 Months- Owned FY25 store performance improvement by 9% versus LY, achieving the number 3 position within district.
- Revised floor auditing protocols and implemented improved inventory tracking systems to reduce product shrinkage by 145 bps.
- Oversaw performance of the team of 42 employees, enforcing standards and policies to drive overall productivity.
- Analyzed customer feedback and coordinated staff service trainings to raise customer satisfaction scores from 67% to 86% in one year.
Regional Beauty Manager Southwest
2 Years- Provided leadership-facing influence and support for 259 beauty team members and 26 leaders, managing relationship coverage across 100+ brands and partners.
- Managed event planning and execution processes, including host events and merchandise presentation coordination.
- Coordinated communication with department managers, store managers, vendors, and buyers to align order intake, vendor coordination, and buyer requirements.
- Delivered stronger team performance through educational events, brand partnership efforts, and compliance-focused execution.
- Directed $155m region volume management, overseeing performance and resource alignment.
- Tracked year-over-year increase of 9% in 2023 and achieved company ranking number 3.
- Assisted two leaders with large assignment planning and execution support to facilitate promotion-related responsibilities.
- Managed beauty department operations, ensuring consistent client service and sales floor readiness.
- Coached beauty advisors on product knowledge, selling techniques, and Nordstrom service standards.
Department Manager Cosmetics
1 Year 5 Months- Coordinated merchandising display setup and promotional product placement to ensure adherence to established marketing standards.
- Mentored newly hired employees with leadership insight, coaching program knowledge across multiple company programs while supporting a 51-member team.
- Compiled end-of-year 2021 results to achieve #2 ranking in the company ($11.6m).
- Monitored and improved department performance to reach 32% vs LY 29%.
- Managed promotion cycles for 16 employees, distributing promotions across 4 DM, 6 ADM, and 6 CM.
- Coached sales team on product knowledge, service standards, and selling techniques.
- Directed daily department operations, balancing customer service, sales goals, and staffing needs.
Assistant Department Manager, Cosmetics
1 Year 1 Month- Partnered with 23 team members to translate project requirements into solutions and ensure on-time delivery.
- Owned end-to-end delivery of improved performance across all tracked metrics.
- $6M door project backed successfully, earning two-time cash call winner recognition.
- Coordinated daily department operations, ensuring sales floor readiness and consistent service standards.
- Supported merchandise presentation by executing floor sets, replenishment, and visual merchandising updates.
Department Manager, Cosmetics
10 Months- Scheduled and facilitated one-on-one sessions with 43 employees to assess performance, discuss upcoming priorities, and provide feedback.
- Drove 2020 results of $8M, ranking #3 in the region.
- Directed day-to-day execution of fragrance door and rewards program at Nordstrom, coordinating program operations to support revenue performance and contributing to $180k increase within 5 months.
- Achieved cash call winner status and Q4 Manager of the Quarter recognition.
- Directed cosmetics department operations, ensuring polished merchandising and consistent sales floor presentation.
- Coached beauty advisors on product knowledge, client service, and selling techniques to improve customer experience.
Assistant Department Manager, Cosmetics
1 Year 9 Months- Arranged counter offerings and developed promotional product displays, emphasizing visual impact and customer appeal.
- Built a sales goals tracking framework to evaluate individual employee performance against established benchmarks across a team of 103 employees.
- Evaluated customer skincare needs and provided guidance on cosmetic techniques during consultations.
- Assisted day-to-day support for Beauty Floor to uphold company standing, ranking No. 3 with $21M in sales.
- Reported brand package outcomes of $9M performance and a 16% increase.
- Tracked spring beauty trend outcomes totaling $1.3M, focusing on highest-yield initiatives within beauty department.
- Assisted with associate scheduling, task delegation, and coverage planning to maintain workflow continuity.
- Monitored inventory accuracy, partnered on stockroom organization, and resolved product availability issues.
Assistant Department Manager
1 Year 9 Months- Led sales floor operations, ensuring service standards and merchandise presentation aligned with Nordstrom expectations.
- Coached associates on client service, product knowledge, and selling techniques to improve team performance.
- Increased sales by 10%.
Beauty Advisor/ Makeup Artist Chanel
10 Years 9 Months- Conducted personalized beauty consultations by evaluating skincare needs and leveraging product knowledge to recommend skincare cosmetics and fragrance options.
- Identified related add-on items, suggested complementary products via suggestive selling, and guided purchase decisions to better meet customer needs.
- Managed sales-driving initiatives by applying Macy’s rewards program credit to optimize performance.
- Evaluated employee performance consistently, earning 99% annual employee review high score within store operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Bachelor of Science - Cosmetologist Certificate
Skills
Sales Goals
Customer Service
Coaching
Talent Development
Organizational planning
Brand Management
Business Development
Client relations
Problem resolution
Customer relations
Multitasking and prioritization
Bilingual: Spa & Eng.
Accomplishments
- Increased sales by 9% by coaching department managers on new merchandising standards.
Certification
Make Up Artist & Facial Masseur Certificate: Shiseido Cosmetic, Cosmetologist Certificate: Rogie's School
Personal Information
- Title: Fragrance and Beauty | Retail Sales | Luxury Goods
- Availability: Open to Travel
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Store Manager
Nordstrom
12.2024 - CurrentRead More
Regional Beauty Manager Southwest
Nordstrom
12.2022 - 12.2024Read More
Department Manager Cosmetics
Nordstrom
07.2021 - 12.2022Read More
Assistant Department Manager, Cosmetics
Nordstrom
06.2020 - 07.2021Read More
Department Manager, Cosmetics
Nordstrom
08.2019 - 06.2020Read More
Assistant Department Manager, Cosmetics
Nordstrom
11.2017 - 08.2019Read More
Assistant Department Manager
Nordstrom - San Juan, PR
02.2016 - 11.2017Read More
Beauty Advisor/ Makeup Artist Chanel
Macy's - San Juan, PR
05.2004 - 02.2015Read More
University of Puerto Rico
Bachelor of Science from Psychology
Read More
Rogie's School
Bachelor of Science from Cosmetologist Certificate
Read More