Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
General Information
Timeline
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NICOLE GUSTAFSON

Summary

Dynamic and results-oriented Regional Senior NCG Responsible with a proven track record spanning over a decade in the retail industry, particularly in NCG management, logistics, and construction. Throughout my tenure at H&M, I have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and collaboration skills while spearheading various initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and drive cost savings.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Regional NCG Responsible

H&M
10.2023 - Current
  • Collaborating with the C&F Manager and Project Managers to develop a streamlined deliverable dates in the Master Project schedules.
  • Assisted Regional NCG Responsibles in strategically acquiring essential hardware and interior elements from closures to align with upcoming business requirements.
  • Facilitated effective communication between Strategic Buyers and the Supply Planner to ensure seamless coordination of material procurement processes for Harlem, Soho, and Time Square.

Regional Senior NCG Responsible

H& M
02.2021 - 10.2023
  • Collaborated with Store Design, Regional Visual, Store Operations, and suppliers to develop new furniture prototypes for testing in existing stores to support local initiatives.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to categorize stores for bulk orders, ensuring timely communication and proactive problem-solving to prevent construction delays.
  • Partnered with global and local teams, including Procurement, NCG Supply Chain, Accounting, Logistics, Transportation, Construction, and Facilities, to reestablish the NCG Warehouse and enhance existing procedures.
  • Supported the Regional NCG Team in meeting quarterly goals aligned with both construction and facilities objectives, fostering cohesive support for overall expansion goals and contributing to the achievement of company objectives.
  • Teamed up with Store Design, Visual, Store Portfolio, Facilities, and Construction to strategize saving items from closures and remodels. This initiative significantly reduced CO2 emissions, saving $959,085 and shortening lead times in line with the company's sustainability and cost-efficiency goals.

Senior Interior Specialist

H&M
06.2015 - 01.2021
  • Achieved cost savings totaling over $1.7 million, by implementing effective stock management strategies with leftover materials and repurposing them for use in other projects.
  • Teamed up with logistics provider to improve tracking and tracing system, securing an upgraded portal for comprehensive monitoring of shipments, including pack lists and invoices, from distribution center to stores.
  • Collaborated with colleagues at head office to address interior and logistic issues, ensuring alignment with contractual agreements and verifying that H&M received the expected value for its purchases.
  • Reduced project-related inquiries and accelerated shipments by implementing Master Truck Schedule, enabling General Contractor to request interior materials as needed directly on job sites.
  • Worked closely with Regional Construction Managers to improve efficiency of their Interior Specialist teams by implementing more standardized routines.
  • Established new management and processing routines for interior of new flagship projects to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness when transferring materials from warehouse to job site.
  • Collaborated with global NCG, Procurement, Accounting, and Logistics, alongside local counterparts, to pioneer the establishment of the first NCG Warehouse. Implemented an innovative approach with bulk ordering and direct shipping to individual stores, resulting in improved efficiency and cost savings.

Southeast Interior Specialist

H&M
10.2013 - 06.2015
  • Conducted training sessions for warehouse management and installation vendors, instructing them on correct procedures for receiving, inventorying, and delivering materials from warehouse to stores.
  • Saved H&M over $140,000 by successfully transferring interior items, stored for an extended period in remote warehouses, to existing and new stores
  • Collaborated with suppliers to ensure accuracy of interior labeling and delivery processes, reducing instances of lost and damaged material
  • Focused on training and developing on-site personnel while streamlining the program.

Rebuild Material/ Support Manager

H&M
01.2013 - 10.2013
  • Collaborated with District Visual Manager and NCG Warehouse Team to establish standardized routines for distributing campaign and marketing materials to stores, aiming to enhance efficiency and minimize shrinkage
  • Provided training to Visual Lead on effective communication with staff regarding ongoing changes, guidelines for handling phase transitions, and proper staffing for overnights
  • Coordinated with District Visual and NCG Warehouse teams to conclude the process of wrapping up and redistributing all old mannequins and fixtures.

Department Manager

H&M
03.2011 - 10.2013
  • Contributed to 10% increase in store sales and 4% improvement in Sales Per Hour (SPH) compared to previous year, successfully achieving Shrink Audit percentage below set goal.
  • Effectively utilizes tools such as STAR, 13 Week Plan, and Garment Group Reports, and actively participated in 2013 budget meeting.
  • Provided training and development for two Sales Advisors transitioning to Visual roles, while two other Sales Advisors were successfully relocated to higher volume stores.

On-site

H&M
09.2012 - 11.2012
  • Acquired the skill of interpreting architectural drawings and ensured that the store construction adhered to the specifications, setting up the floor according to interior layout plan.
  • Organized and verified all incoming materials against NCG order reports to compile a list of missing items, and subsequently followed up on materials that were not originally ordered
  • Instructed Material and Visual Lead on correct procedure for checking in materials to ensure comprehensive accountability on display side.

Rebuild Support Visual Manager

H&M
12.2011 - 06.2012
  • Generated comprehensive layouts for phase changes by utilizing Department Reports, thereby enhancing garment flow and contributing to increased store sales
  • Engaged in walkthroughs with Merchandisers, District/Regional Team, Project Manager, General Contractor, and On-Site personnel
  • Established a communication binder to ensure that the Store Team was well-informed about phase changes, garment levels, incoming materials, and any construction-related updates.

Floor Supervisor

H&M
04.2010 - 03.2011

New Store Expansion Visual Manager

H&M
02.2009 - 04.2010
  • Guided a walkthrough with the District Team and Expansion Manager to address and resolve any layout, visual, merchandising, and building issues
  • Conducted daily meetings with Visuals, Management, and representatives from the five functions to establish expectations and address any issues that arose during the day
  • Conducted department walkthroughs to verify that the Visual team was accurately setting department and TPPs, while also ensuring that campaigns and activities were arranged to optimize sales.

Expansion Visual

H&M
01.2005 - 12.2008
  • As Materials Lead, verified arrival of all ordered materials according to NCG order report, and compiled missing list to ensure timely arrival of all materials before the store opening.
  • Received training in the correct application of text and graphics in accordance with company guidelines.
  • Played key role in opening stores in new markets such as Las Vegas, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, Canada, providing valuable assistance in training local visual team and sales advisors.

Sales Advisor

H&M
08.2003 - 01.2004

Education

Bachelor of Science - Family and Consumer Sciences

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL
05.2002

Skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  • SAP
  • Supply Chain Coordination
  • Inventory Management
  • Vendor Relations
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Team Collaboration
  • Adaptability

General Information

NICOLE GUSTAFSON, 224-388-1167, ngus1122@gmail.com

Timeline

Regional NCG Responsible

H&M
10.2023 - Current

Regional Senior NCG Responsible

H& M
02.2021 - 10.2023

Senior Interior Specialist

H&M
06.2015 - 01.2021

Southeast Interior Specialist

H&M
10.2013 - 06.2015

Rebuild Material/ Support Manager

H&M
01.2013 - 10.2013

On-site

H&M
09.2012 - 11.2012

Rebuild Support Visual Manager

H&M
12.2011 - 06.2012

Department Manager

H&M
03.2011 - 10.2013

Floor Supervisor

H&M
04.2010 - 03.2011

New Store Expansion Visual Manager

H&M
02.2009 - 04.2010

Expansion Visual

H&M
01.2005 - 12.2008

Sales Advisor

H&M
08.2003 - 01.2004

Bachelor of Science - Family and Consumer Sciences

Eastern Illinois University

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NICOLE GUSTAFSON