Sales Customer Service
Resume:
James Houston
***A Oak Street
Greenville, AL ***37
PROFILE
Retail Executive
• With extensive management experience directing inventory control and merchandising
operations, while driving revenues from the sale of national and private brand name
merchandise.
• Managed departments such as inside lawn and garden, outside lawn and garden, plumbing, appliances,
flooring, electrical, paint, tools, hardware, millworks, and building materials.
• Communicated successfully with customers, vendors, buyers, general merchandise
managers, outside representatives, sales consultants, and other executive team
members.
• Maintained creativity while working within guidelines and standards set forth by
the company.
• Computer skills include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Outlook
Express), as well as in-house inventory, sales, and client databases.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• •
Contract Negotiations Regulatory Compliance
• •
Business Development Policy and Procedure Development
• •
Customer Service and Retention Purchasing Management
• •
Budgeting – Capital and Staffing and Management Development
•
Operating Project Planning, Staffing, And Management
• Recruitment, Training, and
Leadership
EXPERIENCE
LOWE’S – Troy, Alabama 2008 to Present
Zone Manager\Assistant Manager – Home Improvement Industry
• Responsible for achieving budgeted sales and margins for a $25 million dollar store.
• Responsible for ensuring all corporate merchandising standards are maintained on a daily basis including
but not limited to merchandise resets, zone recovery, freight flow, daily inventory replenishment, price
integrity, promotional and seasonal sets, merchandise displays, product literature and housekeeping.
• Responsible for the overall safety, security, supervision, training, mentoring, and scheduling of all
assigned personnel.
• Support the Store Manager to ensure that superior customer service is provided daily across the store.
• Greet and acknowledge all customers in a friendly, professional manner.
W. L. PETREY WHOLESALE – Montgomery, Alabama 2006 to 2008
Sales Manager – Wholesale Grocery Industry
• Regarded as a valued contributor in the development, evolution and growth of this
$85 million dollar company.
• Single-handedly designed and built a solid base of business in upscale Montgomery
area, growing territory from the ground up to a stable, revenue-producing sales region
(currently 85 accounts generating a total of $4 million annually.
• Manage all aspects of the sales process in local and national markets, including chain
accounts. Submit bids, negotiate contracts, create consultative sales solutions and monitor
account activity (e.g., accounts receivable).
• Win over business from competition by demonstrating keen product expertise and by
providing superior service. Keep abreast of changes in the grocery industry.
• Chosen to participate in company's pride committee, a select "think-tank" group of
sales representatives and sales managers who meet to discuss new business strategies and
improvements in customer service and product offerings.
MOORE’S FAMILY CLOTHING – 2001 to 2006
Ozark, Alabama
District Manager – Clothing
Apparel (Business Closed 2006)
Managed all operations of 10 retail
stores, generating $40 million in
annual revenues. Supervised 10
store managers, 20 assistant
managers, 70 department managers
and 95 sales associates. Reported
to the regional manager.
• Upon close of business was 42%
ahead of last year’s sales year-to-
date.
• Achieved 70% of sales plan for
increase in evening business with
remodeling of designer areas per
department.
• Reduced shrinkage and
improved efficiency by motivating
receiving and
sales staff to maintain more
accurate records.
• Increased sell through on special
orders from 52% to 94%, which is
100% of company standard by
retraining staff to use a
commitment
contract and resell items.
• Managed a 22% turnover in staff to produce a team interested in producing top sales,
managing their book of customers, and exceeding customer expectations, with no
turnover in personnel since mid-year 2003.
• Generated $40,000 of sales from Agnier designs and attained excellent return on
investment.
MOORE’S FAMILY CLOTHING – Blakely, Georgia 1994 to 2001
Store Manager – Clothing Apparel
Coordinated and directed $5 million in annual sales. This included handbags, accessories,
fashion jewelry, family shoes, intimate apparel, cosmetics, children’s, men’s, bridal, and 4
departments of women’s ready-to-wear. Supervised 2 assistant managers, 9 department
managers, and 15 sales associates.
• Built accessory and home furnishings business from $1.6 million to $2.5 million within
two years, achieving 45% of sales plan by recognizing need to increase merchandise
depth and linear feet accessories, handbags, home furnishings and shoes to meet
customer needs.
• Reduced shrinkage and improved efficiency by motivating receiving and sales staff to
maintain more accurate records.
EDUCATION
Bachelor Degree – APPLIED MANAGEMENT – G.C.U.
Retail Management – CERTIFICATE – Moore’s
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