Sales Customer Service

Craig Christiansen

**** ******* ****** ( Lincoln, NE 68526

402-***-**** ( **********@***.***

High-performing retail management executive with proficiency in increasing

sales and bottom line profit, developing and implementing processes, tools

and metrics to maximize business results in manufacturing and service

industry settings. Accomplished strategist who transforms plans into

sustainable solutions delivering optimal results. Skilled project leader

with proven success directing highly diverse work groups. Areas of

expertise:

Process Improvement ( Revenue Growth ( Enhanced Productivity

Strategic Planning & Leadership ( Change Management ( Negotiation &

Communication

Team Recruitment/Management/Development ( Project Planning/Execution

Customer Satisfaction ( Creative Problem Solving

Building Material Industry

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lowe's ( Lincoln, Nebraska ( 2002-Present

Retail Store Manager:

Lowe's is a global supplier of building materials, hard lines, home d cor

and maintenance products serving DIY, Contractor and Commercial customers.

Expertise in the execution of marketing top performing categories

influencing brand awareness and company profitability including Garden

Center logistics and operations, Engineered Wood Products, Building

Materials, Millwork, Flooring, Kitchen Cabinets, Outdoor Power Equipment,

Appliances, Electrical & Lighting, Plumbing, Paint & Home D cor' and the

selling functions of Installed Sales, Special Order Sales and

Commercial/Contractor Sales. Oversee $28+M annual budget and 150 employees.

Continually develops initiatives to exceed operational targets, improve

sales productivity, enhance business processes and drive brand performance.

> Exceeded Company Top Line Sales and Bottom Line Profit Objectives for

11 consecutive years.

> Recognized as the #1 Customer Service Location in the Midwest Region 4

times within 10 years.

> Managed company growth from $25M in sales to $30M with no cost increase

in controllable expenses/wages & salaries.

> Tripled Contractor/Commercial sales by recruiting and developing Sales

Associates in face to face selling skills.

> Directed all development plans/processes related to launch of up to 200

new plan-o-grams annually.

> Introduced incentives that doubled Special Order and Installed Sales

close rates boosting annual revenue by $2M annually

> Established Inventory Management Standards that reduced inventory

shrink to 0.26% of annual sales and recognized as a top performing

inventory management location for 10 consecutive years.

> Created critical associate training tools where none existed: project

estimating, special order resource guidelines, inventory procedures,

interdepartmental workflows & communication requirements.

> Produced the Top Performing Specialty Sales Office for Audit Compliance

and Customer Service.

> Led the planning and logistics for the holiday merchandising effort

producing the Midwest Regions highest percentage over plan for sales

and inventory sell thru.

> Implemented and executed IT enhancements and conversions to IPhone

enabling customer orders to be processed from the POS in the aisle.

> Captained Community Improvement events enhancing awareness and

promoting goodwill through company grant programs, Toolbox for

Education and Lowe's Heroes Programs.

> Consistently leveraged payroll percent to sales ratio maximizing sales

per FTE.

Carhart Lumber ( Norfolk, NE ( 1996-2002

Chief Operating Officer:

A multi-location Regional Supplier of building materials, engineered wood

products and construction services serving Nebraska and Iowa

Contractor/Commercial and DIY Customers. Expertise in the execution of

Advertising and Marketing, Merchandising, Manufacturing, Installed Sales,

Construction Services, IT Creation and implementation, Human Resources,

Training & Development and Vendor Relations. Oversee $22+M annual budget

and 150 employees. Continually develops initiatives to exceed operational

targets, improve sales productivity, enhance business processes and drive

brand performance.

> Created staffing and succession plans for the recruiting, hiring and

development of personnel to provide for a sustainable and increasingly

profitable path for the company.

> Increased top line sales by 20% in first year and 7% annualized

thereafter.

> Reduced non-productive inventory by over 2.5 Million while reducing

Inventory shrink to 0.33%

> Established/managed a complete process of revitalizing the company's

inventory productivity by establishing objectives that could sustain

profitability and meet the needs of the customers within the markets we

served.

> Negotiated purchasing programs with National and Local suppliers

maximizing investment and improving GMROI by 40%.

> Oversaw remerchandising of top 8 performing locations revitalizing the

brand, presentation and improving the customer experience.

Payless Cashways Inc. ( Sioux City, Iowa ( 1974-1996

Store Manager:

> A Supplier of building materials serving Northwest Iowa, Southeast

South Dakota and Northeast Nebraska Contractor/Commercial, Farm and

Ranch and DIY Customers. Expertise in the execution of Advertising and

Marketing, Merchandising, Millwork, Manufacturing, Construction Sales

and Services, Retail Sales and Operations, IT Implementation, Human

Resources, Training & Development and Vendor Relations. Oversee $20+M

annual budget and 150 employees. Continually develops initiatives to

exceed operational targets, improve sales productivity, enhance

business processes and drive brand performance.

> Achieved Company's highest awards recognizing store sales performance

in consecutive years from 1983-1990 including Gold, Silver and Red

Arrow awards.

> Store Manager of the Year for three consecutive years, 1986-1989.

> Developed 16 future Store Managers fueling company growth and

expansion.

> Coordinated a 1.2 million dollar store remodel and renovation in 90

days without a business interruption and resulting in a 25% increase in

sales.

> Recognized as #1 sales volume store in key product categories,

Millwork, Farm, Flooring, Kitchens and Lighting.

> Consistently leveraged Controllable Expense to below company

benchmarks,

> Recognized as a top performing inventory management location by

implementing processes designed to Increase Inventory turns and reduce

inventory shrink.

> Appointed to Company Leadership Team responsible for improving

performance of poor performing locations.

EDUCATION

U of Maryland, USAF Extension-Thailand Campus 1971-1972

Completed numerous Business Courses in Business Management and Leadership.

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