Lori Sutton
Georgetown,TX
Summary
Dynamic retail professional with extensive experience at Walmart, excelling in visual merchandising and customer relationship management. Proven track record of enhancing sales through strategic issue identification and collaborative teamwork. Passionate about fostering a positive work environment while driving operational excellence and achieving significant improvements in customer satisfaction.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Retail Assistant Manager
The Caring Place
Georgetown, TX
04.2021 - Current
- Supervised daily store operations, ensuring adherence to the Caring Place mission and process procedures.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations, maintaining a clean and organized workspace for staff, volunteers and customers alike.
- Maintained, cleaned and organized store to provide positive shopping experience for customers and inspiring workplace for staff and volunteers.
- Enhanced visual merchandising standards throughout the store to create an engaging shopping experience for customers.
- Analyzed daily and monthly sales data to strategically plan for sales improvements.
- Encouraged repeat business from loyal customers through personalized assistance in product selection while developing rapport with clientele.
- Resolved customer issues promptly and with a caring attitude, enhancing satisfaction and promoting repeat business.
- Coordinated promotional sales events, driving foot traffic and increasing brand awareness in the community.
- Trained and mentored new and existing staff and volunteers on pricing, merchandising and customer service techniques.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly, providing constructive feedback to improve team efficiency.
- Fostered a positive, fun, inclusive and caring work environment while promoting teamwork and open communication among staff members and volunteers.
- Led daily staff huddles where individual accomplishments were recognized while addressing daily goals and work assignments.
- Researched online resale market value of donated collectables and antiques to ensure optimal sales gains from donated items.
Coach
Walmart
Cedar Park, TX
09.2020 - 09.2022
- Managed all aspects of the store operations including receiving, merchandising, inventory control, and POS.
- Ensured all departments were adequately staffed with properly trained associates.
- Interacted with customers to obtain feedback and drive satisfaction
- Monitored inventory levels and expenses and made necessary adjustments to maximize sales and profits.
- Supervised 100+ associates on a daily basis.
- Monitored, evaluated and took corrective action for all environmental, safety and compliance measures within the store.
- Planned and executed efficient store seasonal resets.
- Store Social Media Champion: Maintained a top 10% company wide rating by creating daily fun, informative and engaging online content.
- Interviewed, hired, mentored and trained new associates, and area supervisors.
- Provided honest, timely performance feedback to associates as well as conducted yearly performance reviews.
Academy Training Facilitator
Walmart
Cedar Park, TX
11.2016 - 09.2020
- Continuously refined personal facilitation skills through professional development opportunities, staying current with best practices in the adult learning field.
- Facilitated virtual and in-person learning sessions to train new and existing managers and supervisors in all aspects of the retail business
- Utilized a variety of instructional methodologies to create effective and engaging learning experiences for all types of learners.
- Trained and mentored hundreds of department managers, assistant managers, coaches, and store managers from Central Texas Walmart stores.
- Facilitated new company initiatives to store leaders and associates.
- Enhanced training effectiveness by incorporating real-world examples and hands-on activities in academy sessions.
- Boosted trainee engagement with interactive group exercises, promoting collaboration and teamwork.
- Maintained a comprehensive understanding of company policies, procedures, and industry regulations to provide accurate and up-to-date information during training sessions.
- Served as a subject matter expert in specific areas of focus within the academy curriculum, providing guidance and support to fellow facilitators as needed.
- Customized training content to address diverse learning needs, accommodating various skill levels and backgrounds among attendees.
Assistant Manager
Walmart
Round Rock, TX
03.2010 - 11.2016
- Managed cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy and reducing discrepancies.
- Created associate schedules and delegated assignments to meet coverage demands.
- Made hiring decisions to increase store's productivity and profitability with qualified well trained associates.
- Responded to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service
- Mentored associates to enhance professional development and accountability in the workplace.
- Delivered hands-on customer assistance, assessing needs, while maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Increased associate performance and job satisfactions to strengthen retention and engagement by created a positive, friendly, inclusive work environment.
Support Manager
Walmart
Georgetown, TX
11.2006 - 08.2008
- Supervised the receiving and stocking teams, including daily unloading of trucks.
- Collaborated with other store management to prioritize tasks and ensure completion.
- Trained new associates on proper unloading and stocking techniques.
- Supervised all closing procedures and ensured smooth handoff to overnight shift managers.
Men's Apparel Department Manager
Walmart
Georgetown, TX
11.2006 - 08.2008
- Oversaw apparel inventory management, ensuring optimal stock levels and timely reordering.
- Trained and mentored team members on operational procedures and best practices.
- Implemented merchandising strategies that enhanced product visibility and customer engagement.
- Analyzed sales trends to inform strategic decisions on product selection and promotions.
- Managed loss prevention initiatives, reducing shrinkage through effective training and monitoring protocols.
- Improved customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and in-depth product knowledge.
Sales Associate
Walmart
Georgetown, TX
07.2006 - 11.2006
- Delivered exceptional customer service to enhance shopping experiences and drive sales.
- Assisted customers with product selection, providing personalized recommendations based on preferences.
- Managed inventory levels by restocking merchandise and organizing displays for optimal visibility.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve daily sales targets and maintain a positive store environment.
- Provided expert advice on sizing, fit, materials, and care instructions for various apparel items.
- Enhanced store reputation by maintaining a clean, organized, and visually appealing sales floor.
Store Manager
Orenda's Originals Christmas Boutique
Chico, CA
10.2003 - 01.2006
- Set up store from the ground up while merchandising Christmas merchandise to create a magical store full of Christmas spirit and decor.
- Hired and trained all staff to enhance performance, customer service skills and product knowledge.
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
Inside Sales Account Representative
Frito Lay, Pepsi
Iwakuni, Japan
02.1996 - 11.1999
- Managed vendor relationships, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and service level agreements.
- Coordinated supply chain logistics to optimize inventory management and minimize disruptions.
- Analyzed vendor performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.
- Oversaw training of new team members on vendor management processes and best practices.
- Met sales goals by offering excellent customer service.
- Strengthened vendor relationships by maintaining open communication and promptly addressing any concerns or issues.
- Set up displays and signage to attract customers and boost sales.
Assistant Store Manager
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corp Air Station, Yuma, AZ
02.1990 - 09.1995
- Supervised daily operations, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures.
- Trained and mentored staff on customer service excellence and product knowledge.
- Implemented inventory management strategies to optimize stock levels and reduce shrinkage.
- Developed employee schedules to maximize productivity and ensure adequate coverage.
- Led team meetings to communicate objectives, motivate staff, and align efforts with store goals.
- Collaborated with upper management to develop promotional campaigns that increased foot traffic and sales volume.
- Managed cash registers efficiently, ensuring accurate transactions, balancing drawers daily, and minimizing discrepancies.
- Enhanced store appearance for increased sales by maintaining cleanliness and implementing strategic merchandise displays.
- Assisted the Store Manager in analyzing sales data to identify trends and make informed decisions for improving overall store performance.
Skills
- Visual merchandising
- Retail operations management
- Customer relationship management
- Strategic issue identification
- Sales metrics evaluation
- Collaborative teamwork
- Collaborative decision-making
- Strategic team guidance
- Sound decision-making
- Community engagement advocate
Timeline
Retail Assistant Manager
The Caring Place
04.2021 - Current
Coach
Walmart
09.2020 - 09.2022
Academy Training Facilitator
Walmart
11.2016 - 09.2020
Assistant Manager
Walmart
03.2010 - 11.2016
Support Manager
Walmart
11.2006 - 08.2008
Men's Apparel Department Manager
Walmart
11.2006 - 08.2008
Sales Associate
Walmart
07.2006 - 11.2006
Store Manager
Orenda's Originals Christmas Boutique
10.2003 - 01.2006
Inside Sales Account Representative
Frito Lay, Pepsi
02.1996 - 11.1999
Assistant Store Manager
Marine Corps Exchange
02.1990 - 09.1995