Suzanne Grace Ott
ColoradoSprings,Colorado
Summary
Store and district-level manager with experience leading people, processes, and store presentation in fast-moving retail settings. Combines inventory control, budget management, recruiting, and staff development with practical oversight of cash procedures, pricing, and customer service to support smooth operations and sales performance.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Stores
Life Network Family Thrift Stores
Colorado Springs, CO
10.2022 - Current
- Directed daily operations at family thrift store locations
- Oversaw merchandising, pricing, and sales floor presentation
- Managed overall inventory levels of merchandise by monitoring stock rotation and ordering new items.
- Hired, trained, and supervised store personnel including cashiers, stockers, department managers, and assistant directors.
- Supervised store teams, volunteers, and scheduling
- Developed and optimized store schedules to meet expected coverage demands and maintain optimal service levels.
- Coached, counseled, recruited, trained and disciplined employees and evaluated on-the-job performance.
- Monitored employee performance and identified performance gaps for corrective action.
- Fostered healthy team environments to promote collaboration and boost productivity.
- Created incentive programs for employees to encourage higher levels of productivity.
- Provided leadership during periods of change by communicating effectively with employees about changes in policy or procedure.
- Maintained a high level of customer service standards across all departments in the store.
- Identified potential opportunities for growth within the store and developed plans to capitalize on them.
- Met budget targets by controlling expenses and eliminating wasteful behaviors.
- Secured store perimeter and enforced safety procedures to minimize losses and protect assets.
- Designed store displays to enhance visual appeal and attract customers. and attended trade shows to identify new products and services.
- Managed donation intake, sorting, and processing workflows
- Conducted weekly meetings with staff members to ensure that goals were met in a timely manner.
Store Manager
Kirkland’s
Colorado
01.2022 - Current
- Oversaw store operations, merchandising, and human resources to ensure smooth daily functions.
- Delivered excellent customer service and adhered to standard practices to maximize sales and minimize shrinkage.
- Meet daily sales, credit and online ordering goals
- Managed recruitment, interviews, and training for new associates, enhancing team capabilities.
- Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss.
- Oversaw storewide merchandising benchmarks to maintain operational excellence.
- Process truck, freight, floor sets, price changes and markdowns
Assistant Manager
Goodwill of Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
09.2021 - 01.2022
- Within the hardlines area I managed 5 departments and ensured that daily sales performance and production goals were met
- Directed and led employees, supervising activities to drive productivity and efficiency.
- Mentored staff to enhance skills and achieve daily targets, using hands-on and motivational leadership
- Onboarded and trained new associates, facilitating their integration into departments.
- Merchandised products across 5 departments while training department leads on best practices.
- Scheduled, opened, and closed the store while balancing the cash office.
- Coordinated monthly meetings to recognize associates who exceeded performance expectations.
- Supported volunteers during community service events
District Manager & Store Manager
Common Threads Thrift, Christian Thrift Store
Fairview Park, Ohio
10.2018 - 03.2021
- Oversaw operations, merchandising, and human resources to streamline processes and enhance overall store performance
- Supervised department leads and MOD to align sales strategies with goals and optimize team productivity
- Conducted training sessions for staff to enhance skills and knowledge, budgeting, planning, scheduling, recruiting and exceeding revenue goals
- Cultivated rapport with associates and leadership to foster a collaborative and motivated work environment.
- Implemented safety protocols to ensure a secure work environment and loss prevention at both locations.
- Assist in the selection of upcoming new store locations and logistics
- Oversaw store merchandising, brand exposure and product availability.
Education
Business Diploma -
Lutheran West High School
Rocky River, OhioSkills
- Retail Management
- Inventory Management
- Store Merchandising
- Merchandising planning
- Retail operations
- Theft prevention
- Staff Supervision
- Staff Scheduling
- Talent acquisition
- Onboarding process
- Employee training
- Staff motivation
- Team Leadership
- Team oversight
- Conflict resolution
- Team building
- Decision Making
- Financial management
- Budget Control
- Expense management
- Customer management
- Payroll Management
- Multitasking and Organization
- Inventory control
- Onboarding process
- Employee training
Timeline
Director of Stores
Life Network Family Thrift Stores
10.2022 - Current
Store Manager
Kirkland’s
01.2022 - Current
Assistant Manager
Goodwill of Colorado
09.2021 - 01.2022
District Manager & Store Manager
Common Threads Thrift, Christian Thrift Store
10.2018 - 03.2021
Business Diploma -
Lutheran West High School