Lori Cortese
District Sales Manager - Retail
Arvada,United States
Summary
District Sales Manager with extensive experience in sales strategy and team leadership at American Freight. Achieved significant revenue growth through effective project management and budgeting practices. Skilled in coaching teams to surpass sales targets while utilizing performance metrics to improve operational efficiency. Strong relationship builder with customers, teams, and vendors, delivering value through clear communication and personalized support.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
District Sales Manager - Retail
American Freight
Colorado, United States
05.2023 - 11.2024
- Exceeded regional sales objectives through strategic promotions and team coordination.
- Trained high-performing sales team to consistently surpass annual targets.
- Supervised training and execution of regional sales strategies.
- Increased revenue by collaborating with executives to evaluate performance and develop strategies.
- Analyzed quarterly sales data, generating comprehensive reports for corporate management.
- Cultivated strong relationships with suppliers and key clients to enhance business growth.
- Developed and managed regional sales program while overseeing market operations.
- Resolved customer complaints and billing discrepancies, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
Regional Project Manager
American Freight
USA - Travel, United States
12.2019 - 05.2022
- Produced accurate, timely reports detailing project activities and progress.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, assigning tasks and managing workflow efficiently.
- Conducted collaborative meetings with internal teams, consultants, and contractors to align efforts.
- Generated change orders while tracking contractual modifications affecting budget and schedule.
- Reviewed risks and devised proactive strategies to mitigate potential issues effectively.
- Drafted and maintained updated project construction schedules throughout job progression.
- Provided stakeholders with consistent updates on strategy, adjustments, and progress.
- Negotiated with stakeholders to obtain necessary resources or materials for projects.
Multi-Unit Manager - Retail
American Freight
Portland, United States
11.2017 - 12.2019
- Monitored project personnel performance and assigned tasks to ensure accountability.
- Analyzed business performance data to forecast results for upper management decisions.
- Managed budgets for travel, training, and team-building initiatives effectively.
- Led team meetings to review outcomes and communicate priorities clearly.
- Produced timely reports on project activities for stakeholder assessment.
- Executed opening, closing, and shift change procedures to maintain operational standards.
- Organized team activities to enhance camaraderie and foster positive workplace culture.
- Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements successfully.
Store Director - Retail
American Freight Formerly Sears Outlet
Colorado, United States
05.2015 - 11.2017
- Achieved budget targets by controlling expenses and eliminating wasteful behaviors.
- Increased store revenues through customer cultivation, superior service, and pricing strategies.
- Developed optimized store schedules to ensure adequate coverage and maintain service levels.
- Oversaw inventory management via audits, cycle counts, and shrinkage control.
- Monitored employee performance, addressing gaps with targeted corrective actions.
- Coached and trained employees, conducting evaluations on job performance.
- Built relationships with key customers to expand business networks and discover opportunities.
- Maintained updated store signage and displays for enhanced customer engagement.
Operations Manager IIII - Retail
Lowe's Home Improvement Center
Colorado, United States
01.2014 - 05.2015
- Recruited, hired and trained crew members on application of projects, customer relations, and customer service.
- Responded to information requests from superiors, providing specific documentation.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and service providers, securing favorable terms.
- Managed scheduling, training and inventory control.
- Enforced federal, state, local and company rules for safety and operations.
- Tracked and replenished inventory to maintain par levels.
- Oversaw financial management, budget management, accounting and payroll activities.
- Presented performance and productivity reports to supervisors.
- Built strong operational teams to meet process and production demands.
- Planned delivery routing, team workflows, and promotional initiatives.
- Measured and reviewed performance via KPIs and metrics.
- Identified areas of deficiency and performed root-cause analysis to solve problems.
- Motivated and evaluated personnel for performance improvement and goal achievement.
- Produced SOPs to document workplace procedures and optimize productivity through standardization.
- Analyzed and controlled materials, supplies and equipment operational expenses.
- Aided senior leadership during executive decision-making process by generating daily reports to recommend corrective actions and improvements.
- Implemented policies and standard operating procedures and managed quality, customer service and logistics.
- Collaborated with team leaders on quality audits.
- Improved morale and management communication by creating employee recognition and rewards practices.
- Directed day-to-day operations by spearheading implementation of short-term and long-term strategies to achieve business plan and profitability goals.
Store Manager III - Field Training Manager - Retail
Office Depot Inc
Colorado, United States
07.2003 - 01.2014
- Managed inventory tracking and conducted physical counts to minimize loss.
- Delivered exceptional customer service, maximizing sales while adhering to standards.
- Balanced sales, reconciled cash, and executed bank deposits for daily operations.
- Identified operational issues and implemented improvements to enhance workplace safety.
- Monitored employee performance and addressed gaps with targeted corrective actions.
- Built visually appealing displays to encourage product purchases and boost sales.
- Strengthened relationships with customers by actively resolving concerns and complaints.
- Oversaw inventory management through audits and cycle counts to control shrinkage.
Education
High School Diploma -
Pueblo County High School
Pueblo, Colorado05.1989
Associate of Applied Science - EFDA - Dental Assisting
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, Colorado05.1989
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration And Management
University of Southern Colorado
Pueblo, ColoradoSkills
- Sales and financial strategy
- Project management and planning
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Customer service and support
- Inventory management and reconciliation
- Performance metrics and analysis
- Coaching and staff training
- Operations management and improvement
- Vendor management and negotiation
- Profit and loss analysis
- Business development and growth
- Time management and scheduling
- Cross-selling and territory management
Timeline
District Sales Manager - Retail
American Freight
05.2023 - 11.2024
Regional Project Manager
American Freight
12.2019 - 05.2022
Multi-Unit Manager - Retail
American Freight
11.2017 - 12.2019
Store Director - Retail
American Freight Formerly Sears Outlet
05.2015 - 11.2017
Operations Manager IIII - Retail
Lowe's Home Improvement Center
01.2014 - 05.2015
Store Manager III - Field Training Manager - Retail
Office Depot Inc
07.2003 - 01.2014
High School Diploma -
Pueblo County High School
Associate of Applied Science - EFDA - Dental Assisting
Pueblo Community College
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration And Management
University of Southern Colorado
Languages
English
Awards
- Top performance in Metric and Plans for 2024
- Achieved/exceeded 1st year 4wall goal 2024
- 1st in class APP/FPP, DM in Western Territory 2023-2024
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