SUSAN CLARKIN

*** ***** ****** **. ********, ON, L8T 3T7, 905-***-****, acovn6@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE

• Extensive experience in Senior Operations, Customer Service Leadership and Management in

the retail industry.

• A builder of motivated and results driven teams, who shows exceptional strength in recognizing

and solving problems.

• Expertise in retail management, performance management, team recruitment and training, store

operations and customer service.

• Strong communicator and dynamic public speaker with a contagious enthusiasm and

commanding public presence.

• Versatile and analytical thinker with an eye for detail and adept at problem solving. Disciplined,

conscientious and driven.

• Able to work independently, within a team environment and taking own initiative.

• Excellent at identifying operational targets – planning and executing on deadline and within or

under budget.

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

LAURA CANADA TORONTO, ON 2003 TO 2013

REGIONAL MANAGER

• Led the Greater Toronto Area for Laura Canada overseeing and managing 22 stores

• Indirectly responsible for approximately 280 Store Associates, 26 Store Management and a

District Manager.

• Mentored and developed direct report to be promoted to DM and RM positions.

• Provided in depth store feedback to the marketing, buying and allocation departments as the

liaison from Operations regarding inventory levels, fashion and customer feedback.

• Instrumental in the creation, development and roll out of a National Customer Service Training

Program.

• Championed from concept to execution, an annual Q4 National Recognition Program supporting

increased comp performance by 10%.

• Consecutively achieved and held the #1 single highest volume Friends & Family sales event. The

following year we beat our own best by 45%.

• Developed, led and facilitated Body Shape Training for Laura Canada.

• Consistently achieved sales year after year

MOBILIA TORONTO, ON 2001 TO 2003

REGIONAL MANAGER

• Responsible for the overall operations and financial performance of the Toronto Area, consisting

of 6 Mobilia and Thomasville stores and a warehouse.

• Responsible for the overall customer experience from sales through to delivery and service

provided in all the Toronto stores.

• Analyzed and re-evaluated the service level provided at store level in Toronto. Identified the need

to change the environment from sales at any cost to a customer focused environment.

• Developed a hiring profile for both the Sales Manager and Sales Associate positions. Directly

identified and recruited decorating professionals from the competition for improved customer

experience and sales growth.

• Analyzed and re-evaluated the Delivery process. Recruited a highly experienced Customer

Service Manager. Negotiated a contract with a new delivery company to lower expenses while

improving the level of service provided.

• Actively involved as a Company Director in the 1st ever Mobilia strategic plan. Participated in

defining key corporate strategies to address in 2003.

DYLEX LTD TORONTO, ON 1984 TO 2000

REGIONAL MANAGER 1987 TO 2000

• Flexible and adaptable in managing two separate and distinct businesses simultaneously

• Recruited, trained and developed a successful team of 26 management, 3 visual display

technicians and indirectly responsible for 250-300 store level associates.

• Achieved continual growth in both sales and profit in the region.

SPORTSWEAR BUYER 1984 TO 1987

• Achieved results focused in the area of sales, gross margin, inventory turns, open to buy and

flow of receipts for approximately $4 million in inventory across 140 stores in the blouse

category.

• Developed effective negotiation skills and vendor relations to ensure both the quality and pricing

were as good as or better than the competition.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

541 EATERY AND EXCHANGE HAMILTON, ON JULY 2013 TO PRESENT

• Pay it forward program – button sales, counter help, assisting with food orders, cash, hostess

THE ARTHRITIS SOCIETY TORONTO, ON 2013-TO PRESENT

ROCK THE JOINT COMMITTEE MEMBER

• Raffle ticket sales 2013 were +100% LY

• 2014 successfully solicited the highest number of auction and raffle prizes for assigned area

ART GALLERY OF HAMILTON – ANNEX HAMILTON, ON 2013TO 2014

• Commercial Sales

DEVELOPMENT COURSES

Leadership for Excellence, Ken Blanchard

Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Programs Insights Profile Training

Managing for Motivation, Xerox Canada Multi Store Supervision- Harry Friedman

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Fashion Hiking Decorating

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