Stephen Howard Sr.
Houston,TX
Summary
Dynamic Retail Store Manager with over 10 years of experience driving high-volume retail operations to success. Expertise in enhancing sales performance, optimizing inventory accuracy, reducing shrinkage, improving labor efficiency, and elevating customer satisfaction. Recognized for exceptional leadership skills and a data-driven approach to decision-making, consistently achieving or surpassing company KPIs through disciplined execution and effective team development. Committed to fostering a positive work environment that empowers teams to excel and deliver outstanding results.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Store Manager
Family Dollar
Houston, TX
08.2024 - Current
- Increased overall store sales by 8–12% year-over-year through improved merchandising execution, labor alignment, and customer engagement
- Reduced shrink by 15% by strengthening inventory controls, cycle counts, and loss prevention practices
- Improved inventory accuracy to 98%+, reducing out-of-stocks and improving replenishment efficiency
- Recruited, hired, and trained 20+ associates, improving staffing coverage and reducing overtime by 10%
- Improved customer service scores by 10% through associate coaching and service accountability
- Maintained payroll and controllable expenses within budget 100% of the time
- Achieved consistent compliance scores during operational and safety audits
Assistant Store Manager
ALDI
Magnolia, TX
07.2023 - 08.2024
- Supported leadership team in achieving top-tier productivity metrics in a high-volume location
- Helped improve stocking efficiency by 20%, reducing backroom congestion and improving sales floor readiness
- Assisted in reducing labor costs by 8% through optimized scheduling and task prioritization
- Trained and developed 15+ associates, contributing to improved retention and performance
- Maintained 100% compliance with food safety, inventory accuracy, and operational standards
Passenger Service Agent / Gate Lead
Worldwide Flight Services / Air France / KLM
Houston, TX
04.2023 - 07.2023
- Led gate operations for international flights carrying 150–300 passengers
- Improved on-time departure performance by 10% through effective coordination and communication
- Resolved passenger issues efficiently, contributing to improved customer satisfaction scores
- Ensured full compliance with TSA and airline regulations
Event Services Security Officer
Allied Universal / NRG
Houston, TX
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Provided security coverage for events hosting 10,000+ attendees
- Reduced incident response times by 15% through proactive monitoring and communication
- Maintained a strong customer-service-focused security presence
Closing Store Team Leader
Target
Sugar Land, TX
07.2016 - 06.2022
- Led nightly operations for a $60M+ annual revenue store
- Improved closing execution and floor recovery efficiency by 25%
- Reduced operational errors and cash variances by 30% through improved accountability
- Trained and developed 30+ team members, several promoted into leadership roles
- Supported shrink reduction initiatives contributing to double-digit shrink improvement
- Maintained consistent guest satisfaction scores during evening operations
Education
Diploma - Retail Management
Skills
- Store Operations & P&L Management
- Sales Growth & KPI Achievement
- Talent Acquisition, Training & Retention
- Inventory Control & Shrink Reduction
- Visual Merchandising & Store Standards
- Payroll, Labor & Expense Optimization
- Customer Experience & Client Retention
- Policy Compliance & Safety Leadership
- Human Resources & Payroll
- Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Coaching, Mentoring & Team Development
- Sports & Exercise Psychology
- Physical Education – Coaching Techniques & Leadership
Accomplishments
- Managed a store that exceeded company expectations in every category during the 4th quarter of 2024 and throughout 2025.
Certification
- Food Manager Certification
- Forklift Certification
- Security License
Timeline
Store Manager
Family Dollar
08.2024 - Current
Assistant Store Manager
ALDI
07.2023 - 08.2024
Passenger Service Agent / Gate Lead
Worldwide Flight Services / Air France / KLM
04.2023 - 07.2023
Event Services Security Officer
Allied Universal / NRG
07.2022 - 07.2023
Closing Store Team Leader
Target
07.2016 - 06.2022