Kelly Howard Objective

**** ****** ****

Portsmouth,

Virginia 23703

757-***-****

luluandtadie@msn.c

om

Searching for a challenging position with career growth

potential. Hands-on manager able to build a cohesive,

productive sales team that maintains high customer service

standards.

Work Experience

Office Manager

4/2009 - Present Kayak Nature Tours, LTD, Norfolk, VA

Run all office operations of a local kayak guided tour

company: book and confirm all reservations, give customers

detailed directions to launch sites, information about

their tour. Increased sales by 30% over prior year by

making office operations more efficient through computer

programs, web advertising and providing excellent customer

service via phone. Process payroll and write company

checks for expenses. Maintain sales figures, tour guide

schedules, and other day to day operations.

Advertising and Special Events Coordinator

9/2007 - 10/2008 Care-A-Lot Pet Supply, Virginia Beach, VA

Responsible for all local store advertising: newspaper,

phone book, bill board, direct mail and television. Worked

with buying staff to create monthly store ads and ensure

proper stock levels were obtained. Worked with graphic

artist to design the look of all ads. Scheduled company

events, including local store events and out of state pet

expositions. Responsible for training crew, creating stock

mix for each show and merchandising it within a 400 square

foot booth. Booked all travel arrangements, packed and

drove 24' trailer containing company product. Promoted the

catalog and website at out of town events to increase

overall company sales.

Store Manager

7/2004 - 9/2007 Care-A-Lot Pet Supply, Virginia Beach, VA

Hired, trained and scheduled all store personnel (average

of 25-35 employees). Merchandised various pet supplies and

foods to increase sales on a daily basis. Store of 40000

square feet included Fresh and Saltwater fish sales,

Grooming Salon and large volume daily sales. Trained all

employees on Customer Service standards and expectations.

Scheduled store events such as adoption days for area

animal shelters.

Bookseller

2/2004 - 11/2005 Barnes & Noble, Virginia Beach, VA

Customer service, cashier, floor maintenance, display

implementation, stocking and reshelving of all books,

magazines and movies

Store Manager

11/2003 - 7/2004 Yankee Candle Company, Virginia Beach, VA

Hired and trained all store associates. Conducted weekly

product orders from corporate warehouse to maintain proper

inventory levels. Received, processed and merchandised all

incoming merchandise according to plan-a-grams.

District Manager

1/2000 - 5/2003 Blockbuster Entertainment, Virginia Beach,

Virginia

Managed the assets and employees of 12 retail video stores

including: managing within budgeted guidelines for

payroll, inventory shrink, and bad debt. Model behavior

and reinforce the importance of excellent customer service

to employees. Develop staff while creating a fun,

supportive work environment. Managed the appearance of all

stores to comply with company standards.

Store Manager

4/1997 - 1/2000 Blockbuster Entertainment, Yorktown,

Virginia

Hired, trained and developed all store employees.

Maintained high sales and customer service levels.

Controlled expenses and inventory loss on a daily basis.

Maintained store appearance and merchandising standards,

per company plan-a-grams. Monitored the day to day

operations and assisted the Store Managers of two other

store locations. Actively participated in all new store

set ups and grand openings within our region.

Senior Assistant Manager

5/1996 - 4/1997 Blockbuster Entertainment, Hampton,

Virginia

Assist Store Manager in hiring and training all employees.

Grow sales, while controlling expenses.

Group Sales Manager

7/1993 - 5/1996 Proffitt's Department Stores, Virginia

Beach, Virginia

Responsible for the merchandising and sale set up in the

Home Store (China, crystal, house wares, bedding, bath and

gift departments). Opened and closed the store as

scheduled. Handled customer services inquiries in the

store. Trained sales associates on product knowledge,

sales and service techniques.

Customer Service Representative

7/1995 - 5/1996 Blockbuster Entertainment, Norfolk,

Virginia

Assisted customers on the sales floor and at checkout.

Suggestively sold additional items to all customers.

Helped with the daily cleaning and upkeep needed in the

store.

Store Manager

11/1991 - 7/1993 One Price Clothing, Chesapeake, Virginia

Oversaw all daily operations in a fast paced, discount

clothing store. Processed and merchandised daily inventory

shipments. Maintained proper expense management. Tracked

sales on a daily basis to insure goals were met.

District Manager

9/1990 - 11/1991 Score Sportswear, Virginia Beach,

Virginia

Oversaw daily operations and sales in 8 retail stores in

Tidewater and Richmond, Virginia.

Education

9/1983 - 5/1988 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor of Science in Business with majors in Finance and

Business Management

Skills

Skill Name Skill

Level Last Used/Experience

Counterpoint POS System Expert

Currently used/4

Forklift Certified Intermediate 1

year ago/3

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Intermediate Currently

used/15

Languages

English (Fluent - Full Knowledge)

Additional Info

March 2003-Blockbuster Rewards Membership Drive

Regional Leader

October 2000-Blockbuster Regional Marketing Execution Award

winner

April 1994-Proffitt's Chairman's Award Winner for Customer

Service

Contact this candidate