Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
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Melissa Hilton

City of Los Angeles,CA

Summary

Versatile Executive Director focused on promoting mission and increasing effectiveness of key programs. Passionate about managing and overseeing implementation of company's daily operations. Quick and firm decision-maker possessing first-rate communication and organizational skills. Recognized for successfully collaborating with management to create and develop amazing products.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Director Retail Merchandising & Ops

Soka Gakkai International-USA
09.2007 - Current
  • Devised new promotional approaches to boost customer numbers and market penetration while enhancing engagement and driving growth.
  • Spearheaded logistics third-party contract negotiations to obtain favorable pricing and scheduling parameters.
  • Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
  • Worked closely with organizational leadership, including board of directors, to strategically affect direction of operations.
  • Aligned department vision, goals and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.
  • Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
  • Monitored sales forecasts and projected financial planning for organization to achieve revenue goals.
  • Established new customer service and problem resolution processes to improve client satisfaction rates.
  • Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
  • Increased company revenue by $3,000,000 in first 4 years through aggressive new market strategies, and product development.
  • Negotiated new annual contracts and service agreements with vendors to achieve prime pricing.
  • Set organizational goals and objectives to guide and direct company focus and achieve mission fulfillment.
  • Built and maintained strong company teams by hiring and training qualified staff to create positive and productive work environments.
  • Developed and implemented organizational strategies to achieve set goals and objectives and secured long-term success.
  • Aligned department vision, goals, and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.
  • Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
  • Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
  • Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
  • Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.
  • Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve product offerings.
  • Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.

Flagship Store Director

Banana Republic
10.2000 - 12.2005
  • Reported to Regional manager regarding all store and staff issues, financial goals and sales.
  • Oversaw daily operations of entire store including staffing and training, Merchandise presentation, inventory control and financial functions.
  • Staffing level: 200 sales associates, 15 Store Managers and Associate Managers.
  • Annual sales volume $22 million, 50,00 sq ft location
  • Identified current and future trends that appeal to consumers.
  • Protected store from loss or theft by setting and enforcing clear security policies.
  • Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge and service requirements.
  • Achieved consistent budget targets with optimal expense controls and elimination of unnecessary waste.
  • This location has not experienced this volume level since late 2005.
  • Managed quality assurance program, including on-site evaluations, internal audits and customer surveys
  • Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial agreements between parties
  • Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions

Director Textile Procurement

Chorus Line Corporation
01.1997 - 08.2000
  • Performed monthly reconciliation of open purchasing orders.
  • Solved diverse supply chain problems involving numerous sources, logistics and scheduling factors.
  • Oversaw all purchasing needs for $75 million Apparel company, across 5 divisions.
  • Implemented policies to reduce cost and eliminate waste.
  • Improved inspection policies to increase quality of raw materials and finished goods.
  • Sourced vendors, built relationships and negotiated prices.
  • Developed productive relationships with key account holders.
  • Adjusted procedures as needed to maximize department effectiveness.
  • Organized importation of all textile items via air and ocean.
  • Implemented process improvements that reduced average purchasing cycle times .
  • Organized receipts, purchases and documentation of finished goods, packaging, materials and ingredients.
  • Used AS400 to authorize and monitor purchase orders and consumables.
  • Established clear lines of communication between business and clients.
  • Progressed through various purchasing, warehousing and leadership roles.
  • Purchased new products and oversaw inventory stocking and availability.
  • Worked with clients to resolve claim issues quickly and efficiently.
  • Collaborated with Divisional Design team to achieve optimal pricing and delivery

Education

Sociology

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

Certification-Wage And Salary Administration

University of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Certification-Procurement & Sourcing

California Institute of Technology
Anaheim, CA

Skills

  • Strategic Planning and Execution
  • Creative product development
  • Store layout & design
  • Fixture development
  • Store level merchandising and marketing
  • Brand Marketing, Imaging
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Sales Growth
  • Economic Analysis
  • Innovative and Visionary
  • Approachable and Outgoing
  • Thrive Under Pressure
  • Results Orientation
  • Retail merchandising specialist
  • Merchandising development

Affiliations

Alexander Hamilton High School Alumni Association, Board of Directors, Membership Chair, June 2020 to present

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc , Los Angeles Chapter, Board of Directors,

Financial Secretary, July 2016-December 2020

Timeline

Executive Director Retail Merchandising & Ops

Soka Gakkai International-USA
09.2007 - Current

Flagship Store Director

Banana Republic
10.2000 - 12.2005

Director Textile Procurement

Chorus Line Corporation
01.1997 - 08.2000

Sociology

San Diego State University

Certification-Wage And Salary Administration

University of Los Angeles

Certification-Procurement & Sourcing

California Institute of Technology

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Melissa Hilton