Michael Baker
Denver,NC
Summary
Strategic leader in multi-unit operations with a proven track record of driving sales growth and maintaining operational discipline. Successfully managed high-volume locations, achieving double-digit occupancy growth while significantly reducing bad debt. Cultivated leadership skills among district managers, resulting in sustainable performance improvements and increased team productivity.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
District Leader
KinderCare Learning Centers
Chicago, IL
2025.01 - 2026.01
- Assumed leadership of an underperforming 14-center district, driving immediate improvements in enrollment, labor performance, and engagement through disciplined execution and follow-up
- Implemented center-level enrollment strategies, achieving double-digit monthly occupancy growth
- Strengthened Center Director labor management through coaching and accountability, exceeding labor targets while ensuring operational excellence
- Identified $50K+ in missed tuition and implemented recovery processes, decreasing bad debt within three months through operational follow-up
Regional Director
7-Eleven
Charlotte, NC
2020.01 - 2025.01
- Led a $400M regional retail business across six states, driving operational execution, store standards, and financial performance
- Increased sales by 14% and profits by 22% year over year through improved store execution and operational discipline
- Reduced inventory shrink by 52% through enhanced accountability, operational focus, and assortment optimization
- Developed and directed 12 District Managers through onboarding, coaching, and leadership initiatives to enhance regional management capabilities
- Conducted store visits to validate merchandising execution, assess labor productivity, and ensure adherence to customer experience standards
- Identified 12 locations for franchising and implemented performance improvement plans, resulting in successful franchise launches in 2024 and 2025
- Piloted new 7-Eleven warehouse distribution model, achieving 100% take rate on new product introductions and 91% sell-through through strong field execution and national program alignment
- Led regional operational response following Hurricane Helene, supporting employees, stabilizing operations, and ensuring business continuity
District Manager
Party City Retail Group
Chicago, IL
2011.01 - 2020.01
- Achieved double-digit sales and earnings growth through operational discipline, leadership development, and accountability
- Led operations across 18 high-volume stores, driving execution across sales, labor, inventory, merchandising, and customer experience
- Reduced shrink and enhanced inventory controls, resulting in $176K annual savings
- Developed 8 General Managers, contributing to region's lowest turnover rate at 34%
- Led seasonal merchandising resets ensuring planogram compliance and in-stock execution
Regional Director – Factory Card & Party Outlet
Party City Retail Group
Chicago, IL
2007.01 - 2011.01
- Delivered double-digit comparable sales growth through in-stock execution and merchandising discipline
- Directed operations across 125 retail locations, achieving consistent store standard execution and enhancing customer experience
- Reduced shrink by 25% through implementing improved inventory controls and fostering accountability among staff
- Reduced store turnover by 18% through leadership coaching and structured hiring practices
- Led store remodels and integrated operations during brand conversion initiatives, driving alignment with new branding strategies
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KSSkills
- P&L management
- Sales and profit growth
- Retail leadership
- Regional management
- Field leadership
- Inventory management
- Operational compliance
- Merchandising execution
- Data analytics
- Talent development
- Team coaching
- Customer enhancement
Websites
Timeline
District Leader
KinderCare Learning Centers
2025.01 - 2026.01
Regional Director
7-Eleven
2020.01 - 2025.01
District Manager
Party City Retail Group
2011.01 - 2020.01
Regional Director – Factory Card & Party Outlet
Party City Retail Group
2007.01 - 2011.01
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Kansas