Patrick Childers
Memphis,TN
Summary
A focused self-starter who readily takes on challenges and relentlessly strives for professional success. Skilled Manager offering proven leadership, problem-solving, customer service, and team-building abilities developed over progressive career. Consistently empowers employees to improve performance and maximize customer satisfaction through coaching, team-building, and mentoring. A talented trainer and mentor with over ten years of related experience. Resourceful and forward-thinking, able to effectively establish positive rapports with both clientele and employees through strong communication skills, composed, confident presence, and direct and straightforward demeanor. Excellent motivator and builder of high performance teams. Efficiently directs and motivates team members with a focus on maximizing productivity and profitability. Clear and direct communicator with customer service and sales expertise. Reliable, credible, ethical, and analytical.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Store Manager
Kroger
Memphis, Tennessee
08.2023 - Current
- Manages total store operations in store manager’s absence; manages/oversees two to three hundred associates with average of 1.3m-1.5m in sales volume per week
- Assists store manager & associates in the achievement of a favorable customer shopping experience & develop associate interest in customer service/relations to enhance Kroger’s best-in-class reputation
- Ensures daily that all Kroger Freshness, Quality, Health & Safety, and Merchandising standards ie OSHA, FDA, Health Department, Ecolab, Union are met across all perishable and non-perishable departments
- Leads teams in planning, implementing & executing merchandising/operating initiatives; directs grocery manager and all grocery replenishers, delegating tasks for the day based on needs of the business, manages and directs associates to support pickup, grocery, frozen, dairy, meat, deli/bakery departments as well as in-stock needs and all KPIs integral to business throughout the day
- Manages inventory and shrink on a daily basis by teaching, coaching, training, and overseeing replenishment scans, backroom/daily counts, top-stock scans, wall-to-wall scans, markdowns, and removal of inventory across all perishable and non-perishable departments
- Coordinates with and directs all Vendors, DSD, Third Parties, Kroger clerks, and Merchandizers ensuring planograms and merchandising needs are to Kroger standard across all departments, refusing orders and logging service complaints via GlobalWorks when applicable
- Assists store manager with developing action plans/communications to associates on Associate Insight survey results
- Walks with Ecolab, FDA, Health Department, OSHA, and Union representatives addressing any findings, assessing immediate needs, and communicating opportunities to departments and leaders as needed
- Walks with Store Leader and District Managers/Corporate Personnel to address store opportunities and implement action, disseminate information where needed across all store departments
- Works with department heads/store associates to identify store opportunities, develop timely solutions & create action plans to ensure plan implementation through daily effective store walks across all perishable and non-perishable departments
- Role model/demand the highest level of customer service & solve associate/customer issues/concerns across all departments
- Achieve/exceed weekly, period, & annual sales, wage budgets & profit budgets, as well as other targeted goals (e.g., safety, shrink)
- Oversees, directs, and manages all overnight stock crew operations and processes ensuring trucks are received properly, aisle conditions, backroom, receiving, and merchandising are to Kroger 5s standards, grocery/frozen/dairy load completed, my-day timers managed effectively, and all evening processes completed efficiently and to Kroger standard
- Drive sales by working with department managers to produce/maximize sales & profits, reduce shrink & improve each store department’s contribution
- Assist store manager in regular store-level financial performance discussions with associates regarding developing budgets (e.g., sales, shrink, labor expenses, other expenses) & other targeted goals (e.g., safety)
- Analyze/ respond to competitive landscape within district/division
- Demonstrate inclusionary leadership; expect inclusive behavior from associates
- Utilize coordinators/other field staff to ensure store departments achieve sales/profit goals & ensure implementation/execution of division merchandising plans
- Promote/support strong relationships with local community organizations in store’s surrounding area
- Assist in building proactive/productive relationships with union representatives/business agents
- Communicate necessary information to associates to help them effectively carry out duties
- Serve as liaison to store/district managers & coordinators on effectiveness of division merchandising/ operational plans/programs
- Assist store manager in staffing, scheduling, reducing turnover & increasing retention
- Provide timely individual/department performance feedback to department heads & associates
- Assist with labor management & supply costs on a daily basis to meet customer service/financial targets
- Ensure store compliance & associate knowledge of federal, state, & local laws/enterprise policies
- Supervise and coach direct reports on the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
Assistant Store Manager
Conns
Memphis, TN
01.2022 - 08.2023
- Maintains store staff by recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training associates.
- Solely responsible for the management of the store in the absence of the Store Manager and required to exercise independent judgment and discretion in doing so.
- Conducts monthly one-on-ones with sales associates, coaches performance gaps, completes monthly business reviews and all necessary EOM reports, lead monthly DM visits and speak to EOM results with action plan to achieve maximum results.
- Assists customers in financing and cash sales as needed to ensure complete satisfaction and outstanding customer service.
- Responsible for setting daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals, conducting morning huddles, creating schedules, meeting deadlines and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the store.
- Manages and completes administrative store functions, proficient on AS400, High Jump, Esales, Word and Microsoft systems.
- Helps maintain inventory control, ensures store’s merchandise is properly displayed, scanned in to inventory, mapped, and tagged appropriately .
- Maintaining Merchandising and Brand Standards, Performing monthly safety audits, Ensuring all product is set to Planogram, Overseeing and directing POP, Promotional, and Store resets, performing cycle counts, product movement, and over the counter returns/exchanges.
- Partners with 3PL and Conn’s Service Technicians to create solutions for customer’s with property claims, damage claims, insurance claims, or concessions/concerns related to delivery/service issues.
- Trains, coaches, and develops sales personnel including: cashiers, porters, specialists, and operation’s managers.
- Supervisory responsibility for sales employees including but not limited to: inputing job assignments, hiring, firing, disciplining, coaching, promotion, transfer requests, HR actions, and other employment actions.
- Maintains and protects company assets by adhering to, and requiring employee adherence, too, all company policies and procedures.
- Performs cycle counts, inventory adjustments, shrink/growing of products and all other operational tasks to ensure accurate inventory and protect company assets.
- Ensures the store is clean and attractive while meeting/exceeding daily sales goals.
- Consistently drive and exceeds maximum sales goals in the KPI’s of Close Rate, Same Store Sales, Quota/Comp, Retail Service Agreement/Penetration, Net Promoter Score, LTO Conversion/Penetration, and Apps per Traffic.
- Proficient and well-versed in discussing and explaining financing options including but not limited to: Cash Options, Installment Loans and Balloon Payments, Lease to Own, 90 Day Early Buyout/Same as Cash, Amortization Loans
Manager
Huey's Restaurant
Memphis, TN
03.2013 - 12.2021
- Opening and closing store by processing daily paperwork, balancing register drawers, counting petty cash and miscellaneous funds, producing staffing schedules and preparing deposits, running end of day sales and labor reports.
- Ordering and maintaining inventory of bar products, including alcohol, soft drinks and supplies to drive high volume of sales and to maintain workflow efficiently.
- Managing, supporting, and directing four to eight employees per shift.
- Mentoring team members and maximizing profits, productivity, and sustainability through sufficient training and developing of all new hires.
- Developing and implementing strategies to enhance team performance, improve processes, boost employee morale, and increase efficiency.
- Maximizing profits by controlling food and labor costs through effective management of time and policy compliance.
- Performing table visits to ensure food quality and satisfaction, executing comps, discounts, and handling all service-related complaints and concerns.
- Mixing drinks and ringing in food orders on 1POS system while maintaining the highest level of customer service, quality, and professionalism.
- Multitasking to manage and meet customer, business operations, and server needs.
- Motivating team by giving constructive feedback to deliver exceptional patron experiences to clientele.
Customer Service Representative
The Wine Cellar
Memphis, TN
10.2012 - 03.2014
- Assessed customer needs and upsold products and services to maximize Wine and Spirit's sales.
- Delivered high level of service and support to each customer, paving way for future business opportunities.
- Trained and oversaw new employees regarding procedures and policies in order to maximize team performance.
- Greeted customers, answered questions, and gave excellent and professional customer service at all times.
- Educated customers on special pricing opportunities and company offerings.
- Worked with managers to develop service improvement initiatives.
Assistant Manager
Regal Auto Wash and Detail
Memphis, TN
08.2011 - 10.2012
- Directed and led up to ten employees, supervising activities to drive productivity and efficiency.
- Implemented training processes for newly hired employees and supervised department managers, shift leads and production personnel.
- Maintained monthly business customer accounts, completed payroll, prepared bank deposits, checked inventory and ordering supplies, completed incident reports.
- Consistently surpassed company and store-wide sales goals, controlled production/labor costs, maintained responsibility for making and completing all sales.
- Completed all standard operating procedures for open and close of business day, including all general sales and end of day reports, and securing premises at close of business.
- Organized schedules, workflows and shift coverage to meet expected business demands.
Education
Master of Science - Management And Leadership
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT08.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TN08.2009
Skills
- Customer service/Sales
- Business acumen/Operations
- Relationship development
- Supervision/Management
- Planning / Coordination
- Organization / Communication
- Team building/Team leading
- Problem resolution/Critical thinking
- Motivating/Inspiring employees
- Corporate citizenship
- Merchandising standards
- Inventory management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Time management
- Scheduling
- Delegating
Professional Experience
PIT and Straddle-Stacker Certified
Responsible Vendor Certified
Designated Manager Certified
Food and Safety Manager Certified
ABC Certified
Performed over 300 hours in rehab clinics such as Alpha Omega Veterans Services
Kappa Sigma Alumni, held positions as Treasurer, Fellowship Chair, and President of By-Law Committee
Accepted into National Honor Society for Psychology Majors (Psi Chi)
Conducted research concerning what factors affect cognitive test-taking and presented results at Mid South Psychology Conference
Presented at MCA and CBU regarding PTSD and how to cope with it in society
Over ten years of management, customer service, and hospitality experience
Accomplishments
- Named Kroger Merchandising Manager of the Year 2026, Delta Division
- Received the Excellence Award for Exemplary work in Strategic Management, Task 1, WGU.
- Received the Excellence Award for Exemplary work in the Application of Ethical Leadership, Task 1, WGU.
- Received the Excellence Award for Exemplary work in the Application of Ethical Leadership, Task 3, WGU.
- Participated in 10+ Kroger Grand and Re-Grand Openings across multiple states to support backroom/receiving Kroger 5s Standards and Grocery Merchandising Standards
Timeline
Assistant Store Manager
Kroger
08.2023 - Current
Assistant Store Manager
Conns
01.2022 - 08.2023
Manager
Huey's Restaurant
03.2013 - 12.2021
Customer Service Representative
The Wine Cellar
10.2012 - 03.2014
Assistant Manager
Regal Auto Wash and Detail
08.2011 - 10.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Christian Brothers University
Master of Science - Management And Leadership
Western Governors University