Melissa Keller
Columbus,OH
Summary
In the 25 years of retail leadership, I have learned the best way to drive a successful and profitable business is through people. The leadership teams I have worked with have all been bonded together by a desire to succeed and to grow not only as individuals, but also as a team. Coaching and developing people to ensure a solid succession plan not only within stores, but also filling positions in district as necessary. Properly demonstrating personal flexibility and support of new company initiatives. Facilitating both learning and adoption of new company programs in a constant manner in order to evolve a retail brand.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
Levi Strauss & Company
05.2022 - Current
- Increased district sales and all KPI's 2 years in a row, District Manager of the year in 2023
- Oversee 19 total stores, MI, OH, PA, KY, IN both outlet and mainline.
- Executed training and new ways of working for store managers, resulting in improved employee performance and customer engagement.
- Streamlined operations by efficient communication between stores, leading to reduced costs and increased productivity.
- Enhanced company reputation through community involvement by participating in charitable events.
District Leader
Kate Spade Specialty
07.2021 - 05.2022
- Direction over 16 stores - OH, MI, IL, MN, IN, MO, OK, AZ, AL, DEN, TN
- Coordinated leadership zoom workshops to educate team members on best practices to optimize productivity.
- Interviewed and hired strong candidates for team openings, utilizing, job boards and social media to find applicants.
- Observed each leaders individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
Area Leader
Kate Spade New York - OUTLET
07.2020 - 07.2021
- Direction over OH, IN, PA, KY, MS
- Attend weekly regional calls to set expectations for stores.
- Owning visual weekly walk through zoom calls with Midwest district.
- Conduct interviews at district level for all leadership roles.
- Support district in handling customer influx and providing individuals with tailored experiences, building valuable connections with public and relaying feedback to company leadership.
- Identified and removed obstacles in customer experience, supporting individual discovery through direct partnerships with corporate partners.
District Leader
Kate Spade New York
06.2016 - 07.2020
- Direction over 10 stores (Midwest South District) – OH, PA, KY, MO, TN, AL, MS.
- 2 stretch assignments – oversaw Texas district (4 months, 18 stores) and Chicago district (3 months, 17 stores).
- Comping business 3 years in row.
- Known for building effective teams and communication.
- Creator of strong moral and spirit within teams and fosters open dialog.
- Succession planning within district to build pipeline of talent.
- Mentoring 2 assistant store leaders who became store leaders.
- Strategic leader can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately.
- High performing district for CRM (client capture) in channel 3 years in row.
- Can effectively cope with change, can shift gears comfortably, and can decide and act without having total picture.
- Reduced shrink year over year.
- Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
- Directed management meetings to enhance collaboration and maintain culture based on trust and group problem-solving.
Store Leader / Area Leader
Kate Spade New York
04.2015 - 06.2016
- Oversaw 6 stores in (South District) – OH, KY, MS, TN
- Drive for results- 3 year build over comp at Easton.
- Building effective teams at store and district levels.
- Event captain for district
- Participated in market meeting visits with Regional Director in 2016.
- Participate on weekly regional calls to set weekly focuses for region.
Store Manager
Ann Taylor, Easton Town Center
10.2009 - 04.2015
- Oversaw daily operations Easton Town Center concept store.
- Interim District Manager for Midwest—5 month total.
- Hosted regional market visit while overseeing the Midwest.
- Attended District Manager conference three years in a row.
- Attend brand visual training seminars with regional leadership team.
- Among top fifteen stores in company for associate engagement survey hosted by the Gallup association.
- Region performance coach - helped leadership development in underperforming stores.
- Training store leader for brand- (6 years)
Operations/HR Manager
DSW
07.2007 - 10.2009
- Ran Corporate and Board of Director visits.
- Responsible for recruiting and hiring 8M in volume flagship store.
- Held Selling / training seminars.
- Performed monthly operational audits within district.
Store Manager
Ann Taylor, Easton Town Center
04.2007 - 07.2007
Store Manager
Midway Mall
11.2001 - 01.2007
Education
Special Education
University of Toledo
Toledo, OH2000
Skills
Retail Management
Business development
Inventory control
Visual merchandising
Strategic agility
Problem solving
Retention
Recruiting
Brand ambassador
Building effective teams
Timeline
District Manager
Levi Strauss & Company
05.2022 - Current
District Leader
Kate Spade Specialty
07.2021 - 05.2022
Area Leader
Kate Spade New York - OUTLET
07.2020 - 07.2021
District Leader
Kate Spade New York
06.2016 - 07.2020
Store Leader / Area Leader
Kate Spade New York
04.2015 - 06.2016
Store Manager
Ann Taylor, Easton Town Center
10.2009 - 04.2015
Operations/HR Manager
DSW
07.2007 - 10.2009
Store Manager
Ann Taylor, Easton Town Center
04.2007 - 07.2007
Store Manager
Midway Mall
11.2001 - 01.2007
Special Education
University of Toledo
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