Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
StoreManager

Kay Ryan

Oshkosh,WI

Summary

With over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, merchandising, and customer service across the retail, music, and food industries, I have developed a diverse skill set. I have also gained valuable experience caring for both the elderly and children. As a goal-driven retail sales professional, I am well-versed in handling various mobile devices, brands, and providers. My expertise lies in managing inventory, setting up displays, and ensuring store security. My passion for sales shines through my natural ability to build relationships with customers. I take pride in organizing retail spaces creatively and attractively while developing a comprehensive knowledge of products and services. Operating point of sale computer systems is second nature to me, and I am adept at training new team members in software operation. As an energetic team player, I support the sales staff by providing valuable sales data, market trends, forecasts, account analyses, and new product information while addressing customer service requests. I have successfully planned marketing campaigns and branding initiatives for product collections. In my role as a positive manager of a marketing team engaged in advertising, product positioning support, and promotion, I have demonstrated my knowledge in researching products and delivering exceptional customer service. My resourcefulness and reliability are well-known among colleagues. As a Sales and Marketing Director with a proven track record of success, I have devised strategic plans that have led to increased market share and improved profit and loss ratios. My ability to project industry trends and forecast needs has allowed me to establish area performance targets effectively. Through my contributions, I have played an instrumental role in bringing in more annual revenue for previous employers.

Overview

2025
2025
years of professional experience

Work History

E-COMMERCE SALES

Self-employeed
01.2007 - Current
  • 30 years of sales / marketing, merchandising, and customer service experience in the retail, music and food industries
  • Implemented analytics tools to track consumer trends and adjust sales strategies accordingly.
  • Promoted seasonal specials and new items to customers, driving increased interest and sales of featured products.
  • Boosted sales performance through strategic placement of high-demand products in prominent locations.
  • Implemented innovative sales strategies, resulting in increased revenue from new and existing accounts.
  • Proactively addressed potential customer objections, offering tailored solutions that resulted in increased sales conversions.
  • Designed, filled, and arranged eye-catching product floorsets to increase sales.
  • Improved operational efficiency by adopting new technology for inventory management & Improved online presence with a user-friendly website redesign, increasing web traffic and e-commerce sales.

Sales, Merchandising, Management, Security

THE EXCHANGE
11.2022 - 07.2024
  • Company Overview: Chicago
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
  • Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
  • Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
  • Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
  • Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
  • Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
  • Improved operational efficiency by adopting new technology for inventory management & Improved local presence which drove sales up by more than 75%.

Night Manager

Hour Glass Dry Cleaners
01.2014 - 12.2015
  • Prepared nightly deposits by accurately counting cash, filling out deposit slips and securing deposit in vault.
  • Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain satisfaction.
  • Improved operational efficiency by adopting new technology for inventory management & Improved online presence with a user-friendly website redesign, increasing web traffic and sales.
  • Handled emergency situations calmly and professionally, coordinating with necessary personnel to ensure guest safety and minimal disruption to their stay.
  • Restocked inventory on shelves by unpacking backroom boxes and filling empty space on shelves with appropriate items.
  • Conducted nightly inventory management procedures to track sales and stock levels.
  • Trained and mentored new and existing staff to achieve best practices.
  • Managed 2 employees in delivering smooth, productive night shift operations.
  • Improved guest satisfaction by efficiently managing night operations and promptly addressing customer concerns.
  • Supported the development of new initiatives aimed at enhancing guest experiences during their visit, contributing valuable insights based on firsthand observations from nightly operations.

Co-Producer & Music Promotion

KFAI-FM Minneapolis
01.2008 - 12.2012
  • Developed strong relationships with industry professionals, creating valuable networking opportunities for future projects.
  • Collaborated with directors and writers to refine scripts, leading to more engaging and impactful stories.
  • Conducted market research on audience preferences and industry trends to inform content creation decisions that resonated with target demographics.
  • Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered teamwork, collaboration, creativity among cast members through effective leadership and support.
  • Contributed to the development of an engaging social media presence, building a strong online following that increased brand awareness and fan engagement.
  • Improved project efficiency by implementing new organization systems and processes that streamlined communication and workflow between departments.
  • Coordinated with distribution partners for successful releases, maximizing audience reach and generating positive word-of-mouth advertising.
  • Oversaw marketing efforts for completed projects, leading to increased visibility at festivals and award ceremonies which strengthened company reputation within the industry.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors and talent agencies for favorable terms that supported the project''s financial objectives.
  • Presented production ideas and determined creative scenarios for production and delivery.
  • Participated in meetings with producers and production crew to keep program in step with creative vision.

Museum Shop Coordinator, Store Manager

Elmhurst Art Museum
06.2008 - 06.2009
  • Coordinated daily shop operations, ensuring a smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
  • Contributed to strategic planning discussions by offering valuable insights derived from firsthand experience on the shop floor.
  • Collaborated with marketing team to develop promotional strategies for increasing foot traffic and sales at the store.
  • Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery of products and negotiate favorable pricing terms.
  • Streamlined inventory management by implementing an efficient organization system for products and supplies.
  • Optimized scheduling process taking into account staff availability which resulted in reduced labor costs without compromising on customer experience.
  • Maintained a clean, organized, and inviting shop environment to maximize customer satisfaction.
  • Maintained accurate records of transactions, inventory levels, employee hours worked, and reconciled cash drawers daily for financial accuracy.
  • Achieved cost reduction by diligently tracking expenses, identifying inefficiencies, and recommending budget adjustments where necessary.
  • Participated in regular team meetings sharing feedback and ideas for continuous improvement of shop operations and overall performance.
  • Created visually appealing merchandise displays that generated interest in featured products leading to increased sales.
  • Monitored sales data to identify trends, adjust inventory levels accordingly, and anticipate future customer needs.
  • Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
  • Maintained proper product levels and inventory controls for merchandise and organized backroom to facilitate effective ordering and stock rotation.
  • Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
  • Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
  • Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
  • Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Implemented daily operating procedures to keep store clean, adequately stocked, and well-organized.
  • Volunteered for extra shifts during holidays and other busy periods to alleviate staffing shortages.
  • Marked-down clearance items and relocated merchandise to proper store areas.
  • Trained newly hired sales team in upselling techniques.
  • Promoted business' development by building and maintaining relationships with new clients.
  • Successfully drove new product lines to increase annual profits by 90%.
  • Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.

Assistant Manager

Claire's Boutique
  • Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
  • Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
  • Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
  • Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
  • Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accurate financial reporting and minimizing discrepancies.
  • Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
  • Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies, and forecast future needs.
  • Managed inventory levels to minimize stockouts while reducing overhead costs.
  • Mentored junior staff members in their professional development by offering guidance/support in their assigned roles.
  • Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service.
  • Increased sales through effective merchandising strategies and targeted promotions.
  • Ensured compliance with all safety regulations by conducting regular inspections of equipment/operations within the store.
  • Monitored sales trends to adjust pricing strategies for optimal profitability.
  • Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust inventory orders accordingly.
  • Maintained compliance with health and safety regulations, ensuring safe environment for both staff and customers.
  • Optimized scheduling to ensure adequate staffing during peak hours, improving service efficiency.
  • Implemented loss prevention strategies, significantly reducing shrinkage.
  • Oversaw daily operations to maintain store cleanliness and organization.
  • Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
  • Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.

Education

Some College (No Degree) -

College of DuPage
Illinois

Skills

  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Merchandising
  • Customer Service
  • Management
  • Salesmanship and persuasion
  • Sales acumen
  • Sales and Promotion Strategies
  • Understanding of sales retention
  • Proven Sales Experience
  • Sales and Marketing Abilities
  • Product Sales Forecasting
  • Sales Consultations and Presentations
  • Sales psychology
  • Marketing and Sales Strategies
  • Internet sales
  • Sales and Pricing Strategies
  • Retail Sales Analysis
  • Sales strategics
  • Talented salesperson

Timeline

Sales, Merchandising, Management, Security

THE EXCHANGE
11.2022 - 07.2024

Night Manager

Hour Glass Dry Cleaners
01.2014 - 12.2015

Museum Shop Coordinator, Store Manager

Elmhurst Art Museum
06.2008 - 06.2009

Co-Producer & Music Promotion

KFAI-FM Minneapolis
01.2008 - 12.2012

E-COMMERCE SALES

Self-employeed
01.2007 - Current

Assistant Manager

Claire's Boutique

Some College (No Degree) -

College of DuPage
Kay Ryan