Lori Cortese
Arvada,CO
Summary
Results-driven Organization Management and Business Sustainability Expert with a proven ability to reduce operational costs by 15% over past two years. Successfully managed district locations that generated approximately $51 million in revenue, consistently and collectively exceeding sales targets by over 20% in the past year. Skilled in establishing operational standards and financial goals, with a strong focus on KPI management to drive performance.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
American Freight Furniture, Mattress & Appliance
03.2023 - 11.2024
- Responsible for overseeing the operations of multiple retail stores within Colorado, Utah, California and Idaho
- Ensure that each store operates efficiently and achieves sales targets while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction
- Some of my key duties performed include:
- Completed Regional Manager Certificate Training April 2023
- Oversee performance and productivity of multiple store locations within a designated geographic area
- Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures and standards across all stores
- Create and execute business plans to increase sales and customer satisfaction
- Hire, train and develop store managers and staff members to maximize efficiency and effectiveness
- Analyze financial reports and implement strategies to improve profitability
- Conduct regular store visits to ensure visual merchandising is consistent and inventory levels are appropriate
- Manage inventory levels to prevent overstocking or under stocking
- Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, such as vendors and landlords
- Collaborate with other district managers and corporate leadership to share best practices and drive overall company success
- Analyzing market trends and providing recommendations to senior management and merchandising
- Resolve customer complaints and escalate issues to appropriate channels as needed
- Front lines of new store opening and ensuring proper set-up of all store operations
Regional Special Project Manager
American Freight Furniture, Mattress & Appliance
, USA
10.2020 - 03.2023
- Responsible for overseeing the entire process including new stores, relocations, expansions, renovations, closings, re-openings and special projects within a designated geographic region, including tracking project timelines, managing invoice submittals, project reporting, site construction, staffing, training, merchandising, and launch, ensuring timely and budget-compliant execution while adhering to company standards and maximizing operational efficiency
- Construction Management: Collaborate with contractors, and vendors to oversee the design, construction, and renovation of new stores, ensuring project timelines and budget adherence
- Staffing and Training: Develop recruitment strategies, interview and hire store personnel, conduct comprehensive training schedule for new employees on company policies, product knowledge, and operational procedures
- Merchandising and Visual Display: Collaborate with merchandising teams to plan product assortment, inventory levels, and visual merchandising strategies for new stores, ensuring brand consistency
- Operational Launch: Coordinate all aspects of store opening, including inventory stocking, equipment setup, POS system activation, marketing launch activities, and grand opening events
- Budget Management: Create and manage project budgets for new store openings, tracking expenses and identifying cost-saving opportunities
- Stakeholder Management: Maintain effective communication with regional leadership, corporate teams, vendors, landlords, and local authorities to ensure project alignment and address any issues
Store Manager II / Multi-Unit Area Manager
American Freight Furniture and Mattress
, Colorado & Oregon
05.2015 - 10.2020
- Supervised business functions, employee staffing, customer retention and financial accountability for stores.
- Boosted team morale and overall revenues by creating and implementing sales contests.
- Streamlined operational efficiencies by successfully hiring top talent driving productivity.
- Promoted positive customer service experiences by promptly resolving conflicts.
- Supervised employees, ensuring optimal productivity.
- Revitalized underperforming teams and transformed profitability and productivity through targeted training.
- Boosted team morale and overall revenue by creating sales contests.
- Consistently achieved sales increase over forecast.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction and store operations through relationship building and daily problem-solving.
- Monitored employee performance and identified performance gaps for corrective action.
Administrative Level 4 Operations Manager
Lowe's Home Improvement
Pueblo, Co
01.2014 - 05.2015
- Preparing financial reports
- Planning and budget control
- Assisting in the preparation of accounts
- Basic bookkeeping
- Processing and paying invoices/Recording receipts and payments
- Full Operational Control Area: Ensure overall operational integrity of the store, with oversight of vital functional areas including but not limited to the Cash Office, Customer Service & Return Desk, Shipping & Receiving, Delivery & RTM, Install Sales, Front end
- Analyzes and organizes office operations and procedures, including all Human resource operations such as approve and process new hires, including background and drug testing
- Provide exceptional customer service, while achieving sales and margin goals, through effective management of all Sales Specialists
- Maximize productivity and profitability by balancing sales and expenses, identifying opportunities, and setting standards for excellent service
- Achieve sales margin goals, while managing expenses within predetermined budget criteria
- Assume responsibility for all store functions, activities and employees
- Ensure that rigorous standards for customer service, merchandising, operational safety and security are met motivate and retain existing talent through effective management of human resources issues in the store environment
- Consistently communicate and apply Lowe’s standards, policies, management practices and legal requirements among various employee populations
- Mentor and guide employees, ensuring all are well-trained and capable of performing assigned duties and preparing them for advancement opportunities
Store Manager III
Office Depot
Pueblo, Co
01.2003 - 01.2014
- Regional store manager trainer and Multi-Unit Manager (EBIT), trained store managers on effective store management and operations to obtain the maximum grow and earn bonuses
- Oversee and account for overall store operations and achieving goals
- Maximize store sales and profitability through human resource management
- Effective merchandise, inventory, operating cost, shrink and expense control
- Role model for superior customer service and responsible for creating a customer-focused culture in store
- Responsible for regularly mentoring, coaching and directing the management team
- Understand marketplace needs, and constantly adapt tactics, technologies and solutions from inside and outside the organization to drive store sales
- Execution of non-negotiable standards of operation, cost control, and asset protection
Education
Business & Finance Course Studies -
University of Southern Colorado
01.2008
Associates of Art and Science Course Studies -
Pueblo Community College
01.1998
EFDA, Certified -
Pueblo Community College
01.1989
High School Diploma - Graduated Duel (College Prep and Vocational Track)
Pueblo County High
01.1989
Skills
- Procurement
- Loss Prevention
- Safety (OSHA/DOT compliance)
- Financial Management
- Financial Analysis
- Sales Operations
- Leadership Program
- Succession Planning
- Forecasting
- Budget Control
- Multi-unit Management
- Annual Reviews
- Productivity Optimization
- Quality Operational Process
- Operational and Production Metrics
Accomplishments
- Top 3 in company for performance in Metric and Plans for 2024
- 5-6 NEW Stores opened (12mo) achieved/exceeded 1st year 4wall goal 2024
- 1st in class APP/FPP, DM in Western Territory 2023-2024
Timeline
District Manager
American Freight Furniture, Mattress & Appliance
03.2023 - 11.2024
Regional Special Project Manager
American Freight Furniture, Mattress & Appliance
10.2020 - 03.2023
Store Manager II / Multi-Unit Area Manager
American Freight Furniture and Mattress
05.2015 - 10.2020
Administrative Level 4 Operations Manager
Lowe's Home Improvement
01.2014 - 05.2015
Store Manager III
Office Depot
01.2003 - 01.2014
Business & Finance Course Studies -
University of Southern Colorado
Associates of Art and Science Course Studies -
Pueblo Community College
EFDA, Certified -
Pueblo Community College
High School Diploma - Graduated Duel (College Prep and Vocational Track)
Pueblo County High
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