Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Ryan Elke

Mill Valley,CA

Summary

General Manager looking to use the skills I've developed in retail stores to obtain a job with Store Operations.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

General Manager

Athleta
San Francisco, CA
03.2022 - Current
  • Helped open Headquarter storefront concept at 2 Folsom St.
  • Navigated store through opening and finding what success looks like in this unique space.
  • Helped lead team to double digit comp in second year along with being up 20% to budget.
  • Cultivated strategic partnerships with HQ team to help achieve goal of the store as well as goals of HQ team.
  • Managed daily operations of the store, including scheduling and supervising staff.
  • Helped team develop specialized projects and events to realize full potential of store.
  • Helped navigate and create store's "curated" assortment throughout first year.
  • Created and maintained a "best in class experience" environment for HQ shoppers as well as external customers.
  • Coached and developed leadership team to help them get to next.
  • Took on stretch assignment with Store Operations in December 2023 helping to develop Product Knowledge for the field.

Assistant General Manager- Product & Visual

Athleta
Corte Madera, CA
12.2015 - 03.2022
  • Supported the General Manager in driving an innovative and amazing customer experience in an effort to operate sales profitability.
  • Planned, executed and maintained the visual presentation of the store to the highest standard.
  • As the Brand's lab store, participated and facilitated additional brand directed events and projects including monthly leadership walk with HQ business partners, mid-season fleet wide visual updates, visual and marketing pilots and tests, etc.
  • "Be the voice" for stores during HQ walkthroughs by providing in-depth information to department heads around product (results, assortment opportunities, fit, etc) and customer feedback to be used to guide future decision making.
  • Responsible for identifying talent, training and developing a strong, independent visual merchandising team.
  • Supported the development of each associate's individual career path both in-store as well as into HQ roles.
  • Ensured strong associate selling behaviors through the Brand's selling model to drive bottom line results, overall customer experience and the store's net promoter score.
  • Helped support district in visual merchandising preparation before large HQ visits.
  • Acted as a temporary GM between previous and current store GM.

General Manager

Victoria Secret
Monterey, CA
09.2012 - 11.2015
  • Responsible for all aspects of managing store.
  • Operational liability to achieve sales, service, organization, customer satisfaction and profitability goals for the store.
  • Develops and executes short and long-term plans to achieve goals in support of district/region strategy.
  • Ensures the maintenance of expected operational and merchandising standards.
  • Ensures staff maintains store presentation and supports brand consistency.
  • Provides effective training to staff in the areas of customer service, product knowledge, inventory control and merchandising.
  • Foster developmental opportunities for both associates and Sales Leadership team.
  • 4 seasons in a row of double digit volume growth and platinum company performance.

Visual/Product Manager

Victoria Secret
Monterey, CA
09.2011 - 09.2013
  • Grew a customer-centric culture, where the full energy of the team is focused on delivering highly satisfying customer experiences.
  • Served on Sales Leadership Team responsible for total store results.
  • Ensured compelling visual merchandising presentation standards were achieved and maintained, including identifying and driving sell down strategies.
  • Planned all brand guide activity and execution in partnership with category managers.
  • Owned accuracy of physical inventory, including planning, delegation and execution.
  • Used customer experience and business insight reports to mobilize the team accordingly.
  • Drove customer loyalty through current brand strategies, including credit and customer return initiatives.
  • Helped lead 3 new store openings within the region.
  • Helped implement new Merchandise Flow initiative.
  • Built a highly qualified team to support the functions of merchandise flow, operations, staffing, sales support, brand guide and cash wrap.
  • Ensured associates were trained to maintain visual merchandising presentation standards.
  • Recruited new Product Manager to take over my role before I was promoted.

Freelance Graphic Designer

Self Employed Web
Minneapolis, MN
06.2008 - 02.2012
  • Self employed freelance graphic design. I specialized in designing merchandise, marketing and printed illustrations for musical groups and companies. I also was contracted to illustrate wrapping paper and greeting cards for Carlson Craft and Target Corp.

Education

Some College (No Degree) - Graphic Arts

Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN

Skills

  • Trend Research
  • Learning Agility
  • Planning and Organization
  • Time Management
  • Business Insight and Acumen
  • Proficient in Powerpoint, Word, Excel and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

Timeline

General Manager

Athleta
03.2022 - Current

Assistant General Manager- Product & Visual

Athleta
12.2015 - 03.2022

General Manager

Victoria Secret
09.2012 - 11.2015

Visual/Product Manager

Victoria Secret
09.2011 - 09.2013

Freelance Graphic Designer

Self Employed Web
06.2008 - 02.2012

Some College (No Degree) - Graphic Arts

Minnesota State University - Mankato

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Ryan Elke