Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Hi, I’m

TAKARA GULBRANDSON

Lakeville

Summary

Dynamic retail leader with 15+ years of experience enhancing performance and profitability in complex store settings. Proven ability to revitalize underperforming locations and lead large-scale operations. Demonstrated success in boosting sales, improving guest experiences, and fostering employee engagement. Known for cultivating strong team cultures and executing successful enterprise initiatives.

Overview

14
years of professional experience
1
Certification

Work History

Target

Director, District Operations Captain
01.2024 - Current

Job overview

  • Promoted to lead a historically underperforming location. Developed and executed turnaround strategy, delivering rapid improvement across KPIs and team engagement.
  • Reversed a 5-year sales decline, driving +0.86% YoY growth (ranked 3rd in district, up from 10th)
  • Increased digital sales by 13.8% and Guest Loyalty from 51% to 64%
  • Improved safety standards and team engagement (+21 points YoY)
  • Developed 6 executive leaders and onboarded 2 new leaders
  • Managed budget and saved $31,000 YTD

Target

Director, District Talent Captain
01.2022 - 01.2024

Job overview

  • Led a high-volume, complex store and district talent initiatives. Transformed performance across sales, service, and culture. Oversee 9 executive leaders, 20 department managers, and 350+ associates in a complex, high-traffic building that serves as a test store for new initiatives.
  • Reversed -5% sales trend and drove growth to $80M (from $68M)
  • Took location from 10th to 1st in YoY sales; improved online fulfillment from -12.5% to +7.5%
  • Raised customer satisfaction from 41% to 72% and gross margin from 30.2% to 33.7%
  • Reduced turnover by 42% in year 1 and another 25% in year 2
  • Developed/mentored 35+ team members across district; created onboarding and succession tools

Target

Director, District Trainer, District Operations Captain
01.2015 - 01.2022

Job overview

  • Turned around a struggling location, leading it to consistent top performance. Drove growth, culture, and operational excellence. Led a talented team that included 6 executive leaders, 15 department managers, and 250+ associates.
  • Doubled annual sales from $26M to $52M; exceeded sales goals 6 straight years
  • Improved engagement (team: 67%=>89%, exec: 53%=>93%) and reduced turnover to
  • Delivered top-2 gross profit margin (33.2%) and
  • Trained 5 directors and 70+ leaders as district training center
  • Appointed operations captain – supported 9 directors, built tools adopted company-wide

Target

Executive Leader, District Trainer, District Captain
01.2011 - 01.2015

Job overview

  • Held senior leadership roles across two stores. Led backroom ops, sales floor performance, and major district initiatives.
  • Achieved 97.7% operational score – 1st out of 72 stores
  • Drove consistent sales growth (+5%/yr); raised grocery sales by 28%
  • Reduced turnover by 36%, improved culture and loyalty scores
  • Promoted 7 internal leaders; trained peer execs and led pilot projects
  • Honored 7x as Executive Leader of the Quarter

Education

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Bachelor of Science from Business Finance and Marketing
01.2011

University Overview

Skills

  • Relationship development
  • Strategic initiatives
  • Communication effectiveness
  • Analytical decision-making

Certification

  • Food Protection Manager Certificate
  • Red Cross CPR Certificate
  • Red Cross AED Certificate

Timeline

Director, District Operations Captain
Target
01.2024 - Current
Director, District Talent Captain
Target
01.2022 - 01.2024
Director, District Trainer, District Operations Captain
Target
01.2015 - 01.2022
Executive Leader, District Trainer, District Captain
Target
01.2011 - 01.2015
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Bachelor of Science from Business Finance and Marketing

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