Candace J. Hart
Safety Harbor, FL. *****
Cell Ph. 305-***-**** Email: ********@***.***
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Extensive experience in all facets of the retail business including General
Management, Merchandising, Buying, Human Resources, Store Planning and
Marketing. Very experienced at developing business relationships through
community networking and making stores shopping destinations. Well
established history of people development and promotion including team
building to achieve company objectives.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Southern Golf Partners
January 2007- January 2010
Apparel Buyer /Company Merchandiser
18 Store Golf Chain
. Developed basic merchandising plan and executed in each store to
provide a uniform presentation for the customer.
. Upgraded apparel and accessory resource structure while increasing
margins and developing continuous repeat customers.
. Instituted uniform signing and pricing program reducing markdowns and
controlling expenses.
Dick's Sporting Goods
August 2006 - January 2007
General Manager - Fayetteville, NC
$15.0 Million Sales Volume.
. Noted as best General Manager to train in the Pineville, NC. by
District Manager
Alf's Golf Shop 2002 - August 2006
Buyer / Merchandiser - Apparel, Footwear and Accessories, Miami, Florida
$10.0 Million Sales Volume.
. Responsible for three Miami locations as well as consultant to one
lease operation
. Increased apparel sales by 90% within two years
. Increased shoe and accessory sales by 50% over two years
. Reduced "aged" merchandise by negotiating returns for new saleable
merchandise
. Negotiated vendor "shops" and fixturing for all stores at no cost
Barnes & Noble Booksellers 1996 - 2002
General Manager - West Kendall location, Miami, Florida
$10.5 Million Sales Volume. Supervised 130 associates and management in
40,000 sq. ft. two story facility.
. Successfully recruited, trained and developed staff to open the first
two story "superstore" in Florida
. Consistently exceeded sales, expense and general performance
objectives
. Store designated as training store for new store managers
. Assisted region in opening five other Barnes and Noble stores
. Managed Starbuck's caf and Music store as part of overall operations
. Maintained #1 ranking for currency in stock
. Recruited and hired community relations manager to develop programs to
specific to local needs
Kidsource
General Manager - Kendall location, Miami, Florida 1995 - 1996
$13.0 Million Sales Volume. Supervised 108 associates and management in
55,000 sq. ft. facility
. Successfully recruited, trained and developed staff to open the
largest Kidsource location
. Consistently met all monthly sales, expense, and performance goals
. Supervised closing and liquidation of stock due to elimination of
venture capital
Mervyns, Dayton Hudson Corp.
General Manager - 163rd Street location, North Miami Beach, Florida 1992 -
1995
$18.5 Million Sales Volume. Supervised 120 associates and management in
130,000 sq. ft. two story facility.
. Considered the most difficult store in Florida due to location and
size/layout of facility
. Consistently exceeded or achieved all performance goals
. Developed and promoted several associates to management and senior
management positions
. Reduced shortage by 40% over three years through associate awareness,
tight control of our receiving operations and stockroom control as
well as a relentless drive to eliminate internal and external thieves
. Developed and promoted several associates to management and senior
management positions
Marshall's 1989 - 1992
General Manager - Coral Way location, Miami, Florida
$7.0 Million Sales Volume. Supervised 45 associates and management in
35,000 sq ft. facility
. Added $675,000 in incremental sales growth in apparel and home
businesses through improved merchandise standards, effective
partnerships with corporate buying team and targeted marketing
campaigns within the community
. Dramatically increased profit through strong sales growth, tight
expense control, and reduction of inventory shortage
. Trained, developed and promoted three area managers to store manager
level
Brandens, Dayton Hudson Corp.
Operations/Assistant Store Manager - Kendall Town and Country Mall, Miami,
Florida 1986 -1989
$24.0 Million Sales Volume. Supervised 180 associates and management in
65,000 sq. ft. facility
. Successfully recruited, trained and developed staff to open first
store in Florida
. Largest volume store in 10 store chain
. Consistently exceeded sales, expense and general performance
objectives
. Developed a program designed to assist special needs associates to
appropriate positions
. Implemented and exercised tight inventory control systems that
required supervision of 40 remote trailers for merchandise storage.
OTHER POSITIONS HELD
Federated Department Stores
. Buyer - Home Furnishings
. Assistant Buyer - Home Furnishings
. Department Manager - Home Furnishings
EDUCATION
Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, Florida
. Associate of Arts, Business Administration
F.I.U., Miami, Florida
. Additional studies in Business Administration