Tod Ericsson
Algonquin,IL
Summary
Dynamic General Manager with a proven track record at Guitar Center and Sam Ash Music stores driving sales growth and enhancing operational efficiency. Expert in team development and relationship building, I successfully implemented strategies that boosted profitability and fostered customer loyalty. Skilled in recruitment and goal setting, I excel in cultivating high-performing teams. I am also eager to get back into the workforce.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Sam Ash Music Stores
06.2013 - 06.2024
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
District Manager
Guitar Center
10.1999 - 08.2011
- Supervised various locations, enforcing high-quality standards of operation.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
- Managed senior-level personnel working in marketing and sales capacities.
General Manager
Guitar Center
04.1996 - 09.1999
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
Drum Buyer
Guitar Center
09.1990 - 04.1994
- Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities.
- Maintained key item stock levels and wrote or expedited purchase orders.
- Developed cost-effective purchasing strategies to maintain inventory levels and improve operational procedures.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
- Collaborated with internal departments to better understand needs and determine purchasing requirements.
- Computed and created purchase orders to monitor stock levels, verify purchase requisitions, and expedite customer orders.
- Developed and improved account relationships.
Education
High School Diploma -
Evanston Township High School
Evanston, IL06-1975
Skills
- Sales
- Advertising and marketing
- Branding
- Sales team development
- Team oversight
- Relationship building
- Recruitment
- Staff motivation
- Goal setting
- Employee development
Timeline
General Manager
Sam Ash Music Stores
06.2013 - 06.2024
District Manager
Guitar Center
10.1999 - 08.2011
General Manager
Guitar Center
04.1996 - 09.1999
Drum Buyer
Guitar Center
09.1990 - 04.1994
High School Diploma -
Evanston Township High School