Sara Gast
Colchester
Summary
Accomplished Store Manager with a proven track record at The Home Depot, driving a store to #1 in the district through exceptional team leadership and robust financial operations management. Expert in fostering customer relations and maximizing profitability, demonstrated by significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings. Skilled in relationship building, ensuring a collaborative and efficient workplace.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Store Manager
The Home Depot
Montville And Waterford, CT
11.2019 - Current
- Managed 45 to 70 million dollar stores and all aspects of the store operations, including organization, maintenance, purchasing functions, and profitability. Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs. Driving the Montville store to #1 in the district and region.
- Recruited, interviewed, and hired staff members who brought talent, diversity, enthusiasm, and experience to the workplace.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Conducted weekly staff meetings to motivate staff member, address concerns and question, plan improvements, and evaluate progress toward goals.
Merchandising Assistant Store Manager
The Home Depot
Lisbon, CT
08.2018 - 11.2019
- Supported the Store Manager operating a 35 million dollar store and all aspects of store operations as needed, maintaining optimal efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Provided ongoing coaching to team members, empowering them to excel in their roles while driving overall store performance.
- Managed a team of 100 associates, ensuring proper training, scheduling, and adherence to company policies.
- Improved customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and promptly addressing concerns.
- Walk competition to gain market share.
- Reduced out-of-stock instances with diligent monitoring of inventory levels and timely reordering of products.
Operations Assistant Store Manager
The Home Depot
Bristol And Glastonbury, CT
08.2011 - 08.2018
- Supported the Store Manager operating 45 to 60 million dollar stores and all aspects of the store operations as needed.
- Solved problems timely and effectively, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Managed day-to-day department operations with effective workflow coordination.
- Supported daily operations by organizing office spaces for maximum functionality and ease of use.
- Assisted operations assistant store manager within the district with planning of routine operations and special projects.
- Conducted store inventories once per year.
- Increasing profits through effective sales training and troubleshooting profit loss areas.
- Manage profit and loss statements.
Specialty Assistant Store Manger
The Home Depot
Bloomfield, CT
08.2007 - 08.2011
- Supporting the Store Manager operating a 40 million dollar store and all aspects of store operations as needed.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by effectively addressing and resolving escalated issues.
- Managed inventory levels, ensuring optimal stock availability and minimizing overstock situations.
- Achieved monthly sales targets by motivating staff members to excel in their roles through recognition programs or incentives when appropriate.
- Established strong vendor relationships to maintain and support the business.
- Managed Specialty Departments and Store Install sales through processes and pipeline for growth.
- Managed and supervised 150 people.
- Interviewed job candidates and made staffing decisions.
Department Supervisor With Keys
The Home Depot
Manchester, CT
08.2004 - 08.2007
- Conducted regular performance evaluations to identify areas of improvement and provide constructive feedback for employee growth.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient scheduling and task delegation strategies.
- Assisted in hiring, onboarding, and training new employees, ultimately creating a more skilled workforce.
- Organized store merchandised racks by size, style, and seasonality.
- Strengthened merchandising and promotional strategies to drive customer engagement and boost sales.
- Offered hands on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Opened and closed store 2-3 days per week by counting registers, making deposits, and storing and filing all daily paperwork.
Cashier/Head Cashier, Appliances, Kitchen Designer
The Home Depot
Manchester, CT
10.2001 - 08.2004
- Managed multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
- Developed innovative design concepts for improved brand recognition and customer engagement.
- Produced high-quality mockups for client approval during the iterative design process, saving time on revisions later down the line.
- Presented creative solutions to client challenges, resulting in high levels of client satisfaction and repeat business opportunities.
- Maintained a clean and organized work area, contributing to a pleasant shopping environment for customers.
- Mentored new cashiers, providing comprehensive training that resulted in increased productivity.
- Helped customers complete purchases, locate items, and join reward programs.
- Handled escalated customer concerns with professionalism and empathy, working diligently toward satisfactory resolutions.
Store Manager
Discount Auto Parts
Fort Pierce, FL
10.1999 - 08.2001
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
- Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
- Improved customer satisfaction through staff training in customer service and product knowledge.
- Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
- Conducted store inventories once per year.
- Manage profit and loss statements.
Education
No Degree - Accounting And Finance
Indian River State College
Ft. Pierce, FL04-2001
High School Diploma -
Fort Pierce Central High School
Fort Pierce, FT07-1998
Skills
- Relationship building and management
- Team leadership and developing
- Maximizing profitability
- Goals and performance
- Financial operations management
- Customer relations
- Visual merchandising
- Employee relations
- Patience and empathy
Timeline
Store Manager
The Home Depot
11.2019 - Current
Merchandising Assistant Store Manager
The Home Depot
08.2018 - 11.2019
Operations Assistant Store Manager
The Home Depot
08.2011 - 08.2018
Specialty Assistant Store Manger
The Home Depot
08.2007 - 08.2011
Department Supervisor With Keys
The Home Depot
08.2004 - 08.2007
Cashier/Head Cashier, Appliances, Kitchen Designer
The Home Depot
10.2001 - 08.2004
Store Manager
Discount Auto Parts
10.1999 - 08.2001
No Degree - Accounting And Finance
Indian River State College
High School Diploma -
Fort Pierce Central High School