Project Manager Management

WENDY DEFOE

**** ********** ****** ~ Belmont, CA 94002

(c) 415-***-**** ~ (e) abl2p7@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/wendydefoe

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Versatile professional with over 13 years of experience leading diverse

teams in retail development projects across the U.S. and Canada.

Influential partner who consistently delivers projects on time and within

budget while adhering to brand standards. Strategic thinker adept at

transforming ineffective and costly processes into best-in-class practices

without reducing quality. Knowledgeable in all aspects of project

management, from project inception to architectural design, construction

and project close out. Additional expertise in:

Construction Oversight Sourcing & Procurement Team Building

Drawing Review & Plan Process Innovation Training & Development

Check

Project Sequencing Contract Negotiations Vendor Relations

Schedule Coordination Expense & Budget Reporting &Communications

Management

2 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LONGS DRUG STORES / CVS PHARMACY, Walnut Creek, CA

Director of Fixture Planning & Special Construction Projects

2008-2009

Recruited to transform the Fixture Planning group into a high-performance

team responsible for procuring over $70 million in store fixtures, supplies

and equipment each year. Managed a team of seven that completed more than

50 new and full-gut remodel store projects annually as well as 475

unplanned capital project requests.

. Partnered with Sourcing to execute a Request for Proposal (RFP) that

allowed competitive contract pricing and reduced fixture expenses by 25%

-- worth approx $3 million over a 2-year period.

. Trained existing staff on new processes and supporting technology while

bringing outsourced project managers on board to manage fluctuations in

workflow.

. For the first time in department history, created and managed a budget

for unplanned capital projects, reported status updates to the field and

tracked forecast spend against the capital budget.

. Led the successful remodel of a 24-hour store while keeping the location

open for business. Completed the project on time and within 5% of the

original budget despite unforeseen complexities in site conditions.

EDDIE BAUER, INC., Bellevue, WA

Director of Construction

2006-2008

Led all phases of construction management for both new and remodel stores,

delivering 50 projects worth $70 million annually. Piloted an outsourced

project management model that established new benchmarks in quality and

efficiency while managing expenses. Mentored project managers and

developed a cohesive team using regular site visits to ensure strict

adherence to schedules, prototype design specifications and quality

standards.

. Increased on-time project delivery record from only 70% to 95%, saving at

least $1 million in lost revenue due to delayed store openings.

Introduced industry best practices such as a plan check, competitive

bidding and change order approval process to reduce project timeline,

manage project budgets and improve overall quality.

. Improved expense management through project based estimating, competitive

bidding, close out processes and an in-depth assessment of prior year

project costs. Increased project cost estimate accuracy with rollout of

a new process that included delivery conditions, regional cost

differentials and project scope variance from prototype.

. Established communications model with Store Operations and other internal

business partners that improved turnkey success rate, garnered support

for internal process changes and shared ideas on the overall pipeline

process.

. Collected over $10 million in tenant improvement allowances through a

rigid close out process, this included allowances from prior year

projects that were uncollected due to process gaps.

GAP, INC., San Bruno, CA

Senior Manager, Construction Operations

2005-2006

Selected as a subject matter expert for a special assignment to implement

an enterprise wide real estate management / project management system

(Tririga) to replace several legacy systems. Acted as the primary point of

contact to define the current construction process using Six Sigma

methodologies and then optimize the process using the Tririga tool.

Completed data collection, process mapping, improvement identification and

weekly dashboard updates while working with cross-functional partners and

garnering support from senior management.

. Streamlined a cross-brand Project Manager Toolbox (a web-based portal

with process maps, template forms, and construction schedules) for over

40 team members across all Gap brands.

. Designed and delivered regional training on brand standards and process

improvements as well as dashboard reporting on cost, schedule and quality

goals.

Senior Project Manager 2004-2005

Managed a team of four direct reports and several outsourced project

manager for both new and remodel projects for the Banana Republic (BR)

portfolio in the U.S. and Canada. Delivered ~80 projects worth $60 million

in annual capital spend and led BR brand consistency across seven regional

offices. Developed and maintained strategic partnerships with Real Estate,

Legal, Brand Operations, Finance, Procurement and Store Design to achieve

the highest quality execution as scheduled and within budget.

. Rolled out a new store prototype project worth ~$32 million that included

the complete gut and remodel of 18 locations across the U.S. within a 9-

month period.

. Reduced project schedules from 14 to 12 weeks by updating template plans,

implementing third party plan checking and improving construction

sequencing. This improved speed to market, lowered contractor costs and

increased sales weeks.

. Developed and implemented a training program to bring outsourced project

managers on board based on a new, regionally outsourced construction

model. Delivered quarterly training presentations for project teams at

all seven regional offices.

Project Manager 2000-2004

Directed over 100 projects and an average of $30 million in annual capital

spend for the BR brand in addition to managing multi-brand projects for BR,

Old Navy and Gap. Identified and resolved on-site construction problems

without impacting the quality, schedule or budget of projects. Built a

deep understanding of regional and jurisdictional factors (local planning

commissions and the landmark preservation commission) by working in various

locations across the U.S. and Canada.

. Led high profile projects and developed an expertise in key metropolitan

areas such as New York (Soho), Chicago, Miami (Dade County), San

Francisco, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

. Conducted extensive process mapping as the remodel subject matter expert

for the Competitive Bid project team that moved Gap to a nationally

sourced contractor bid process.

. Delivered a 10% improvement in budgeted costs versus actual by

consolidating projects by region.

. Consistently exceeded cost, schedule and quality goals set by department

and brand business partners.

. Developed and implemented a national remodel fleet management program for

existing BR stores (MPERE).

. Selected as the functional lead for the Oracle Financial System

implementation team to system test, drive change management and train

peers on the PM module.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chevys Fresh Mex Restaurants, Emeryville, CA ~ Project Manager

The Shorenstein Company, San Francisco, CA ~ Commercial Lease Analyst

John Burnham & Company, San Diego, CA ~ Real Estate Manager

Rawson, Blum & Company, San Francisco, CA ~ Commercial Property Manager

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Attended Trinity College of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Completed "Moving from an Operational Manager to a Strategic Thinker" ~

American Management Association

Completed Situational Leadership 2-Day Course ~ Longs Drug Stores

Volunteer - Habitat for Humanity, Glide Memorial Church and San Francisco

Food Bank

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