NICOLE GATES
ELK GROVE,CA
Summary
Achieved high levels of customer loyalty by delivering exceptional service in daily store operations.,Drove team performance in retail environments over 20 years, enhancing customer engagement.,Established robust customer and community relationships through dedicated professionalism.,Streamlined business operations to maintain high standards of efficiency and effectiveness.,Optimized budget management, team development, and procedural adherence to maximize operational success.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Store Manager
Starbucks
Rancho Cordova, CA
07.2024 - Current
- Trained and supported staff to enhance performance and comply with company policies.
- Managed inventory controls to maintain stock levels and minimize shrinkage rates.
- Executed merchandising strategies that boosted product visibility and increased sales.
- Reviewed sales data to spot trends that guided decisions on product placement.
- Oversaw daily store functions to maintain compliance with safety standards and operational guidelines.
- Created a positive team atmosphere through clear communication and effective conflict resolution.
- Designed training programs to improve employee skills and encourage career growth.
- Managed daily store activities to ensure efficient operations while providing a clean and safe environment for customers and staff.
- Controlled inventory and cash flow while overseeing store opening and closing procedures.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Directed store employees in a fast-paced environment by promoting proactive communication and constructive feedback.
- Assisted with recruitment, training, and mentoring of new staff members.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through training staff in service excellence and product knowledge.
- Achieved maximized sales and reduced shrinkage through exceptional customer service and adherence to established practices.
Store Manager
Lowes Home Improvement
Sacramento, CA
12.2019 - 07.2024
- Led team of 172 associates to improve performance and productivity.
- Managed profit and loss for store operations while supporting labor budget optimization.
- Supervised receiving operations to maintain accurate stock conditions and pricing verification.
- Collaborated with asset protection team to analyze shrink and support shrink budget maintenance.
- Trained and oversaw 6 assistant managers in store operations.
- Coordinated fulfillment and parcel processes.
- Facilitated teamwork among staff involved in production and transport.
- Instructed team on daily responsibilities, providing guidance that enhanced performance and customer satisfaction.
- Achieved sales targets and contributed to overall budget fulfillment.
- Led operational strategies to enhance store efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Store Director
Raley's
Sacramento, CA
09.2015 - 01.2019
- Team Building and Communication skills.
- Fostered healthy team environments to promote collaboration and boost productivity.
- Maintain Store P&L and Annual Inventories
- Oversee Perishable Departments Inventories.
- Expertise in Leading, Training and Budget.
- Labor and Shrink Management.
- Data analysis and Expense Management.
- Planning and Executing Results with Team.
- Ordering and Inventory Management
- Monitored work areas for cleanliness and Safe work environment
- Managed vendor relationships to support supply chain and maintain product quality.
- Met budget targets by controlling expenses and eliminating wasteful behavior. Collaborated with team to maximize customer satisfaction, streamline procedures and improve bottom-line profitability.
- Developed and optimized store schedules to meet expected coverage demands and maintain optimal service levels.
- Assessed, optimized and elevated operations to target current and expected demands.
- Developed and implemented promotional strategies to drive business success and maintain budgetary guidelines.
- Increased store revenues by cultivating new customers, providing superior service and up-selling techniques.
- Oversee inventory management with cycle counts, audits and shrinkage control
- Set and administered weekly sales goal and consistently maintaining controls and preventing overages.
- Ensured standards for quality, customer service and health and safety were Coached, counseled, recruited, trained and team members and evaluated on-the-job performance.
- Maintained inventory and ensured items were in stock
- Secured store perimeter and enforced procedures to minimize losses and protect store assets.
- Ensured promotions were accurate and merchandised to the company's standards.
- Provide a excellent customer experience in stores
Visual Merchandising Manager
Raley's
Sacramento, CA
08.2013 - 09.2014
- Scheduled staff to assign employee shifts according to departmenta
- Kept store properly maintained to specific corporate standards.
- Interviewed and hired qualified employees to provide top-quality service.
- Boosted sales through attractive merchandise presentation and adequate inventory.
- Measured goal achievement by recording daily cash flow, reviewing sales reports and producing financial statements.
- Coordinated merchandising by planning floor layouts and displays, guiding resets and directing sales signage placement.
- Oversaw inventory receiving, stocking, pricing and returns by coordinating with vendors and directing employees.
- Trained team on daily duties, supervised and provided feedback, resulting in improved performance and customer satisfaction.
- Analyzed inventory trends to guide product ordering and develop sales promotions to minimize overstock.
- Demonstrated great teamwork skills with staff members involved in production and transport.
- Managed vendor relationships to support supply chain and maintain product quality.
- Tracked and analyzed weekly sales to implement corrective action plans and streamline operations.
- Maintain Store P& L report
- Coordinate Annual Store Inventory
- Responsible for Planning and Merchandising the store
- Safety Coordinator
- Responsible for coordinating and scheduling Team member weekly work schedules.
- Restructured merchandising strategy to promote high value and products.
- Promoted new product releases and limited edition items to drive sales.
- Verified that all merchandising standards were maintained daily.
- Recruited, hired, developed and retained retail talent for Raley's company.
- Delegated work to employees based on shift requirements, individual strengths and unique training.
- Built customer confidence by actively listening to concerns and giving appropriate feedback.
Assistant Store Director
Raley's
Sacramento, CA
01.2013 - 09.2014
- Coached team members to help each reach true potential and grow skill sets.
- Follow company procedures and protocols.
- Helped manager determine training and organizational needs.
- Fixed displays and other floor setups.
- Reported day-to-day store functions to Store Director.
- Established and enforced sales goals to boost team success.
- Streamlined operational efficiencies by developing customer service protocols and standards.
- Maximized profit opportunities by effectively managing time and resources to meet sales objectives.
- Supported sales management to optimize business development.
Food Service Manager
Raley's
Sacramento, CA
02.2006 - 08.2013
- Trained and mentored up to 35 team members
- Kept food storage and preparation equipment in good working order to maximize safety and cost-efficiency of operations.
- Established and managed effective controls for labor and inventory costs.
- Controlled portion sizes for optimal cost controls.
- Established and enforced standards of personnel performance and service to provide customers with consistent and positive experiences.
- Maximized food quality by closely monitoring shipments, preparation and food handling by team members.
- Adhered to all company food, safety, quality and sanitation policies.
- Trained employees on correct cooking techniques, safety standards and performance strategies.
- Interviewed, hired, and supervised Bakery, Deli and Hot Wok teams
Bakery Manager
Bel Air Markets
Sacramento, CA
10.2005 - 02.2006
- Recruited, trained and supervised 15 bakery team members
- Checked freshness of all bakery goods and food in bakery.
- Replenished food items according to customer needs and demands.
Education
Business Administration And Management
American River College
Sacramento, CARetail Management Certificate - undefined
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA01.2019
Skills
- Team Building
- Communication skills
- Customer service
- Data analysis
- Inventory
- Sales
- Scheduling
- P & L management
- Inventory control procedures
- Excellent time management
- Detail-oriented
- Coaching and mentoring
- Strategic planning
- Engage and inspire teams
- Business development
- Cost analysis and savings
- Profit and loss accountability
- Schedule management
- Goal setting
- Purchasing and planning
- Team member development
- Supervision and training
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Trend forecasting
- Customer retention
- MS Office proficient
- Excellent multi-tasker
- Strong communication skills
- Retail management
- Employee development
Certification
- Retail Management Certificate
- Serve Safe Food Safety Certification
- Leadership Tracker Certification
Additional Information
- Customer Service Award
- Director Awards
- Sacramento Health Department Awards
Timeline
Store Manager
Starbucks
07.2024 - Current
Store Manager
Lowes Home Improvement
12.2019 - 07.2024
Store Director
Raley's
09.2015 - 01.2019
Visual Merchandising Manager
Raley's
08.2013 - 09.2014
Assistant Store Director
Raley's
01.2013 - 09.2014
Food Service Manager
Raley's
02.2006 - 08.2013
Bakery Manager
Bel Air Markets
10.2005 - 02.2006
Business Administration And Management
American River College
Retail Management Certificate - undefined
Fresno City College