Merlin Flores
Miami,FL
Summary
Results-oriented Management Professional and former U.S. Marine with a career-long record of leading high-performing teams and driving organizational growth. Distinguished by a relentless work ethic and a commitment to fostering collaborative environments where individuals thrive. I excel at leveraging critical thinking to solve complex operational challenges, consistently exceeding objectives through startegic problem-solving. An exceptional communicator and bilingual leader, I am dedicated to articulating a clear vision, motivating diverse teams to reach their full potential, and cultivating cohesive units that deliver elite results.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Grocery Department Manager
Publix Super Markets Inc
06.2017 - 05.2025
- Financial Growth & Performance: Spearheaded a 12.92% increase in sales and achieved a 9.75% net profit through strategic merchandising and promotional implementation.
- Inventory & Operational Excellence: Maintained elite AR inventory accuracy of 95.99% over a rolling year and secured a 29.01% gross profit before distribution.
- Departmental Turnaround: Led a massive improvement in customer service quality, raising the Grocery Mystery Shop score from 68.0% to 85.3% within one year.
- Strategic Team Leadership: Authored weekly work schedules for a high-volume team, optimizing coverage based on customer traffic trends, planned promotions, and individual employee strengths.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Evaluated complex performance data, stock levels, and consumer trends to forecast needs and provide senior management with actionable operational insights.
- Regulatory Compliance: Directed all grocery operations in strict adherence to workplace standards and food safety requirements to ensure 100% health protection.
Assistant Grocery Manager
Publix Super Markets Inc
09.2015 - 06.2017
- Performance Optimization: Boosted department productivity to 97.12% by streamlining stocking procedures and improving team coordination during peak hours.
- Inventory Control: Managed high-volume ordering and receiving, maintaining optimal stock levels for 20,000 SKUs while reducing shrink through rigorous rotation (FIFO) and inventory audits.
- Talent Development: Successfully mentored and trained 15+ associates, many of whom were later promoted to lead roles, by providing consistent coaching on Publix standards and merchandising excellence.
- Visual Merchandising: Executed complex shelf planograms and end-cap displays, ensuring 100% compliance with corporate marketing initiatives to maximize impulse sales.
- Operational Leadership: Served as the primary point of contact for the department in the Manager's absence, overseeing daily labor allocation, equipment maintenance, and customer resolution.
- Quality Assurance: Consistently achieved high marks in internal health and safety audits by enforcing strict sanitation protocols and workplace safety standards.
Grocery Team Leader
Publix Super Markets Inc
10.2014 - 09.2015
- Frontline Supervision: Directed daily activities for a team of 10+ grocery associates, ensuring all stocking, leveling, and cleaning tasks were completed ahead of schedule for morning and evening shifts.
- Inventory Integrity: Managed the "Backstock Management" process, reducing backroom clutter and improving shelf availability through accurate counts and organized storage.
- Merchandising Execution: Oversaw the building of promotional displays and end-caps, ensuring they were visually appealing and fully stocked to drive impulse purchases.
- Training & Onboarding: Served as a primary trainer for new hires, teaching Publix's "Premier Service" standards and efficient stocking techniques to reduce breakages and waste.
- Vendor Management: Coordinated with DSD (Direct Store Delivery) vendors to ensure timely deliveries and proper shelf placement, maintaining professional relationships to resolve credit and delivery issues.
- Facility Safety: Conducted regular "Safe-Way" walks to identify and eliminate hazards, ensuring the sales floor remained safe for both customers and staff.
Grocery Store Clerk
Publix Super Markets Inc
03.2007 - 10.2014
- Inventory Management: Maintained high-volume stock levels for a variety of departments, ensuring 100% shelf availability and proper product rotation using FIFO (First-In, First-Out) methods to minimize waste.
- Merchandising Excellence: Executed daily "leveling" and "facing" of products to meet Publix's gold-standard store appearance, consistently noted for attention to detail in shelf planogram execution.
- Logistics & Receiving: Efficiently unloaded and processed multiple weekly freight deliveries, organizing backroom inventory to streamline the stocking process for the entire team.
- Customer Engagement: Provided "Premier Service" by proactively assisting shoppers, resolving inquiries, and maintaining a safe, clean shopping environment.
- Safety & Compliance: Strictly adhered to all OSHA and company safety protocols regarding equipment use and heavy lifting, contributing to a zero-incident record.
Education
High School Diploma -
Southwest Miami Senior High School
Miami, FL06.1994
Accomplishments
- Strategic Planning: Expert in labor allocation, scheduling, and workflow optimization to meet high-volume retail demands.
- Financial Acumen: Proven ability to manage P&L, drive net profit growth, and maximize gross margins.
- KPI Management: Focused on data-driven results, including sales, growth, productivity percentages, and Mystery Shop scores.
- Compliance: Deep knowledge of OSHA standards, food safety regulations, and corporate policy enforcement.
- Inventory Control: Master of AR (Auto-Replenishment), cycle counting, and maintaining 95%+ inventory accuracy.
- Visual Merchandising: Skilled in planogram execution, end-cap strategy, and seasonal floor sets to drive impulse sales.
- Vendor Relations: Experienced in DSD (Direct Store Delivery) coordination and supplier relationship management.
- Talent Management: Skilled in recruiting, onboarding, and mentoring associates for future leadership roles.
- Conflict Resolution: Expert at handling high-pressure customer service situations and internal team disputes.
- Bilingual Communication: Fully fluent in English and Spanish, enabling effective communication across diverse teams and customer bases.
Operational Leadership
Inventory & Merchandising
Team Development & Communication
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Military Service & Leadership
04/1995 - 12/1995
United States Marine Corps
- Rank: Private First Class (E-2)
- Status: Honorably Discharged
- Leadership: Appointed Squad Leader during both Recruit Training and School of Infantry; selected to lead and direct 12+ recruits in daily operations, drill, and tactical exercises.
- Core Competencies: Developed elite proficiency in physical fitness, land navigation, startegic planning, and crisis management under high-stress conditions.
- Commendations: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (Awarded for exemplary behavior and fidelity), National Defense Service Medal and Rifle Marksmanship Badge.
Timeline
Grocery Department Manager
Publix Super Markets Inc
06.2017 - 05.2025
Assistant Grocery Manager
Publix Super Markets Inc
09.2015 - 06.2017
Grocery Team Leader
Publix Super Markets Inc
10.2014 - 09.2015
Grocery Store Clerk
Publix Super Markets Inc
03.2007 - 10.2014
High School Diploma -
Southwest Miami Senior High School