Sarah Underwood
Winston Salem,NC
Summary
Results-driven leader with 29+ years of experience cultivating strategic partnerships to support key business initiatives. Proven success in team leadership, new store openings, and optimizing operational efficiency. Dedicated District Manager with extensive experience directing operations, sales and staffing for numerous locations throughout area.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
Gabe’s Inc-North Carolina
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Demonstrated experience in managing multiple retail stores
- Developed sales plans and strategies, monitoring and increasing the store performance, and hiring, and training new leaders
- Managed 16 successful retail stores with revenue of 100 million in annual sales
- Exceeded all sales goals and targets, significantly reduced costs in all areas of operations
- Developed new sales plans and strategies; opened new locations and provided operational support with any and all issues
- Monitored the overall performance of stores; recruited and coached new store managers
- Increased productivity and developed disciplines and routines
- Reduced turnover and developed a positive culture of growth.
District Training Manager
Gabe’s Inc.-NC
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Helped develop a training program from the ground up for the entire company
- Organized and edited old training best practices and rolled out to the entire district
- Assessed skill gaps for Store Managers, ASM’s and Department Leads and developed a training
- Developed surveys to identify training needs based on projected production to processes and changes
- Tested all training software and hardware prior to commencing training programs
- Managed all exempt employee coaching, training and performance improvement actions
- Trained new hires to perform cross-training exercises with experienced workers
- Developed training materials and curriculum based on performance data and KPI’s, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction surveys
- Problem solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational and training abilities are used often.
Store Manager
Gabe's Inc.
01.2002 - 01.2015
- Provide direction for the entire store: responsible for all operating aspects of the store
- Drive the total store results by consistently managing and measuring work
- Increased revenue streams by reducing costs, P&L management, managing schedules and performing variance and risk analysis to implement corrective actions
- Delivered positive results by controlling the monthly operations budget and limiting financial discrepancies
- Increased profitability by coordinating consistent floor merchandise plan changes to drive sales
- Reduced corporate risk by managing shrink processes and controlling inventory levels
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover
- Ensured that each guest's experience was positive, memorable and consistent
- Strategically scheduled team members to maintain optimal staffing levels at all times
- Assigned work to team members based on company needs, personal strengths and job knowledge
- Sourced, interviewed and hired all staff while controlling turnover.
NC National Guard
06.1995 - 06.2003
Area Sales Manager
Griffin Staffing
Winston Salem, N.C.
06.1999 - 05.2001
- Built lasting relationships with clients through outstanding customer service interactions
- Brought in new accounts through successful networking strategies and promotional approaches
- Addressed problems in a proactive and knowledgeable manner to maintain and enhance client satisfaction
- Visited customer locations to determine needs, set up contracts and provide training.
Zone Manager
Lowe's Companies Inc
Statesville, NC
04.1996 - 05.1999
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones
- Adhered to all safety procedures and company standards and policies
- Mentored new sales associates to contribute to the store's positive culture
- Strategically scheduled team members to maintain optimal staffing levels at all times
- Supervised and directed all merchandise and shipment processing.
Education
High School Diploma -
Wilkes Community College
01.1995
Skills
- Leadership & Management
- Multi-Unit Management
- Operations Management
- Human Resources Management
- Sales & Customer Service
- Sales and Revenue Growth
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Budgeting and Financial Analysis
- Team Development & Communication
- Recruitment
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Inventory Management
- Performance Management
- Conflict Resolution
- New Store Opening
Timeline
District Manager
Gabe’s Inc-North Carolina
01.2020 - 01.2024
District Training Manager
Gabe’s Inc.-NC
01.2015 - 01.2020
Store Manager
Gabe's Inc.
01.2002 - 01.2015
Area Sales Manager
Griffin Staffing
06.1999 - 05.2001
Zone Manager
Lowe's Companies Inc
04.1996 - 05.1999
NC National Guard
06.1995 - 06.2003
High School Diploma -
Wilkes Community College
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