I have a passion for sports and the outdoors
Rykker Tom
Salt Lake City
Summary
Dynamic retail leader and buyer with a proven track record in driving high-volume operations and managing diverse product lines, overseeing teams of over 50 associates. Expertise in procurement across various categories, including baseball, alpine skiing, snowboarding, licensed apparel, reloading supplies, optics, and snowmobiles, ensures a comprehensive approach to inventory selection. Proficient in strategic budgeting and vendor negotiations, utilizing data-driven insights and tools such as Internal sales reports, AS400 and Microsoft Office Suite to optimize operational efficiency. Committed to fostering a collaborative team environment that enhances performance and achieves organizational goals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Store Leader
Scheels
Sandy, UT
09.2021 - Current
- Direct sales floor operations during peak business hours to optimize customer engagement, staffing levels, and operational efficiency.
- Train leadership and associates on Open-to-Buy (OTB) processes, sales planning, and inventory management strategies.
- Analyze financial reports and cash flow projections to inform strategic inventory procurement and buying decisions.
- Facilitate performance reviews, interviews, and professional development planning to cultivate high-performing teams and internal leadership pipelines.
- Uphold rigorous standards for store organization, visual merchandising, and operational execution.
- Partner with the store leader to develop and implement new initiatives, programs and operational improvements.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, employment laws, and regulatory procedures.
- Manage complex financial transactions, including cash handling approvals, high-value refunds, and specialized account management.
- Facilitate consistent communication between staff and clientele to expedite conflict resolution and enhance the overall customer experience.
- Assisted in purchasing youth and adult licensed clothing for various teams including Utah Jazz, Utah Mammoth, Salt Lake Bees, Utah Utes, BYU, and Real Salt Lake. Supported acquisition of baseball gear, hunting optics, snowmobile clothing, alpine ski equipment, snowboarding gear, and reloading supplies. Collaborated with marketing teams to promote product offerings effectively.
- Manage store budget and direct purchasing strategies to optimize financial performance.
- Assist marketing team in organizing community events. Supported execution of social media campaigns. Aided in managing charitable donation programs.
- Oversee merchandising team to uphold brand standards and execute strategies that enhance customer experience.
- Organize and lead weekly staff meetings to review past events and coordinate preparations for upcoming months.
- Facilitated comprehensive leadership training for five associates to enhance their skills and provide guidance on leadership challenges.
- Assist in managing inventory location system by coordinating tasks with team members. Supported the development of a consistent workflow to enhance operational efficiency.
- Organize training programs for new associates to enhance proficiency in visual merchandising techniques.
- Monitor and enforce compliance with ATF guidelines to safeguard business practices in the firearm industry.
- Conduct weekly discussions with vendors regarding pricing and inventory shipments to align stock levels with customer demand.
Co Owner
BlackSheep Inn
Cedar City, UT
08.2021 - Current
- Managed digital reservation systems to streamline booking processes, enhancing customer satisfaction through real-time updates and scheduling optimization.
- Implemented systematic maintenance protocols to ensure property upkeep and operational readiness in compliance with safety standards.
- Resolved complex operational challenges by implementing proactive solutions that minimized downtime and enhanced overall productivity.
- Cultivated a customer-centric environment by modeling professional interactions, resulting in high satisfaction levels and increased repeat business.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring high-quality service and guest satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented marketing strategies to increase brand visibility and attract clientele.
Assistant Baseball Coach
Marshall Gates Foundation
Salt Lake City, UT
06.2016 - 08.2022
- Developed and executed comprehensive training programs for over 30 athletes, resulting in significant improvements in team performance and individual skill proficiency.
- Leveraged data analysis and Microsoft Excel to track player statistics, identifying performance gaps and optimizing training strategies through quantitative insights.
- Mentored athletes to foster a high-performance team culture, promoting personal growth and academic accountability alongside athletic achievement.
Ranch Hand
Clark Livestock
Cedar City, UT
03.2020 - 06.2020
- Established and maintained rigorous feeding schedules for large livestock populations, ensuring optimal animal health and efficient resource allocation.
- Directed a maintenance team in the construction and repair of fencing systems to ensure livestock safety and property security.
- Operated and maintained farm equipment for efficient livestock management.
Education
BS - Psychology
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT06-2021
Skills
- Budget management
- Proficient in AS400 systems
- Microsoft Excel
- Effective team leadership
- Visual merchandising expertise
- Performance improvement strategies
- Talent acquisition expertise
- Customer Experience
- Inventory purchasing strategy
- Project Management
- Sales performance analysis
- Inventory control
- Effective vendor negotiation
- Marketing
- Performance assessment
- Compliance management
- Employee relations
- Customer relationships
- Store operations
- Health and safety
- Team management
Accomplishments
2024 Assistant Store Leader of the year.
Certification
Baseball Buying Show (2021)
Baseball Buying Show (2022)
Baseball New Store Merchandise Set (2022)
Baseball New Store Merchandise Set (2023)
College Licensing New Store Merchandise Set (2024)
New ASL Leadership Training (2022)
Intermediate ASL Leadership Training (2023)
Potential Store Leader Candidate Training (2025)
Leadership Summit (2025)
Leadership Summit (2026)
Human Resource Training (2026)
Interests
Timeline
Assistant Store Leader
Scheels
09.2021 - Current
Co Owner
BlackSheep Inn
08.2021 - Current
Ranch Hand
Clark Livestock
03.2020 - 06.2020
Assistant Baseball Coach
Marshall Gates Foundation
06.2016 - 08.2022
BS - Psychology
University of Utah