Customer Service Sales
Resume:
Sporting Goods and Outdoor Hard Lines Buying Position
Dear Recruiter,
I have been in the outdoor sporting goods industry for 20+ years,
highlighted by the purchase, turn around and sale of a successful outdoor
retailer located in Colorado. During this tenure I have purchased and
managed for small to large corporations and it seems that my unique blend
of experience, enthusiasm and passion are most closely aligned within a
fast paced outdoor retail environment. My purchasing and operational
history specializes in the outdoor sporting goods industry, and includes a
diverse platform of hard and soft line categories and related products. I
have a passionate belief in the merits of creating and communicating a
purchasing plan that shows a consistent and compelling sales story for the
staff and consumer.
My personal value proposition lies in my comprehensive understanding of the
complex relationship between buyers, operations and ownership's timing and
needs. Using my experience and knowledge to direct the development and
execution of a focused purchasing strategy will allow me to plan dynamic
and profitable programs representing the best values for each targeted
segment of customers. My experience and familiarity with many outdoor
sporting goods vendors, combined with my energetic style, will allow me to
champion a complete product line, helping to bring marketable, salable
products to the forefront in a highly competitive and knowledgeable retail
market. My entrepreneurial and management skills will allow me to
effectively construct and negotiate a cohesive product line-up while
creating a merchandise flow to maximize profitability.
The successful execution of a well choreographed buying strategy includes
negotiating with suppliers on pricing, terms, opportunities, closeouts, and
delivery/shipping methods. I am thoroughly experienced and a strong
understanding of manufacturers programs and lead times. From CDP, to pay
by scan, to guaranteed sell through and buyback programs, I have introduced
and implemented many of these concepts in other sectors of the outdoor
industry in the past. My purchasing experience has taught me to develop a
calculated risk/reward purchasing approach while having multiple types of
contingency strategies for what tomorrow may bring.
Another critical component of a successful buying plan takes place after
the product arrives, where I am adept at communicating the purchasing
strategy in order to facilitate buy-in from the entire purchasing,
merchandising, and operational teams. When the staff understands the
product, merchandising plan, and flow; it makes it easier for them to
confidently sell the appropriate merchandise and add-ons. This is an
example of how I have the unique ability to transcend many of the intrinsic
barriers between buyers and operations personnel, thus championing the
product all the way from the order form to the customer.
My diversified portfolio of accomplishments, experiences, and skills gives
me the insight to understand multiple purchasing strategies and
opportunities that exist in the industry, while allowing me to make
excellent decisions regarding merchandise assortment, branding, and pricing
strategies. My ability to anticipate trends and identify new products can
also help to establish and promote brand development, merchandising, and
sales tactics. My retail and cross-functional team leadership experience
has afforded me an excellent understanding of how to fulfill market trends
and needs in both specialty and commodity products while exceeding pro-
forma financial goals.
I am a passionate, self-motivated, multi-tasking professional, and would
welcome the opportunity to explore the fast-growing company that you are
representing.
Sincerely,
Chris Cremer
abmdxb@r.postjobfree.com
Chris Cremer
406 Lakeview Circle East Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-***-****
abmdxb@r.postjobfree.com
___________________________________________________________
Buyer / Merchandise Manager
Outdoor sporting goods operations and merchandise management professional,
who has consistently driven sales by identifying consumer and product
trends and created merchandise assortments which represent extraordinary
value propositions for both the retailer and consumer. Reliably delivered
increased profits and ROI within highly competitive and dynamic retail
markets. Teamwork oriented leader with an accomplished track record of
successful sales, operations and merchandising savvy in both specialty and
big box retail environments. Use of operational acumen and exceptional
interpersonal relationship skills have helped to acquire, develop, and
retain clients/employees while strengthening strategic vendor
relationships. Identified multiple partnering and trending opportunities
and have utilized this knowledge to construct penetration strategies
resulting in increased market share, revenue and profitability. Created
and maintained relationships by crafting mutually beneficial goals and
alliances. Comprehension and articulation of complex concepts and ideas
has helped to align cross functional teams with key company initiatives.
Core competencies include:
? Strategic and Tactical Planning ? P&L/Financial Ownership ?
Customer/Vendor Relations
? Target Marketing & Penetration ? Operational Management ?
Public Relations & Speaking
? Purchasing and Merchandise Planning ? Consultative Sales Coaching ?
Top/Bottom Line Performance
Professional Experience
The Sports Authority - Vail Store Manager
2009-2010
Agreed to manage the turnaround of the Vail location by earning the unique
opportunity to rework the store layout and merchandising strategies.
Utilized trending, consumer, and product knowledge to create the
development of store specific, go-forward product and marketing and
merchandising strategies. Identified underperforming categories and
reduced targeted inventory in order to increase profitability while
exceeding visual merchandising standards.
. Utilized financial discipline and market knowledge to surpass budgeted
bottom line projections by $238,000 in fiscal 2009, while top line
sales were down by almost 9%. This was accomplished by increasing
gross margins by 6.4%, increasing units per transaction, average
transaction amounts, conversion rates and decreasing shrinkage,
payroll and other controllable expenses over previous year and company
averages.
. Developed and established additional sales and technical training
protocols; writing briefs and coaching district/store/department
managers and employees as requested by Regional Senior Vice President.
Sports Specialty Ventures - Keystone Store Manager
2008-2009
Hired to manage the second largest ski rental fleet in North America,
improved both internal and external operational and customer service
benchmarks to create a significant bottom line contribution. Quickly
learned company policies and procedures and supervised an entirely new
staff and management team of 40+ to profitably offer world class customer
service as measured daily by an external auditing agency.
. Exceeded the company Net Promoter Score (NPS) benchmark expectation of
60% by posting a 78% average. The NPS scores are a key metric to
measure customer service and loyalty.
. Controlled and improved all operational components and variable costs
in 2 stores and 1 warehouse to efficiently execute an increase in
bottom line contributions while improving customer service benchmarks.
ITS-Executive Marketing Firm Senior Sales Consultant
2007-2008
Utilized a technology based, highly consultative and educational sales
process to sell marketing services to executive-level job seekers
throughout the country. Recruited to join a national sales team based out
of Denver, CO, became a consistent substantial single sales contributor but
wanted to relocate to Breckenridge.
Christy Sports LLC Buyer/Manager-Alpenglow
2003 - 2006
Alpenglow MountainSport, Inc. Buyer/Owner/President
1993 - 2003
Purchased Alpenglow MountainSport, Inc. in 1993 and directed its financial
turnaround by effectively branding the name and retail merchandise
selection. Identified and capitalized on several market opportunities in
the outdoor/sporting goods industry, capturing market share and fueling
growth in both winter and summer categories. Attractively positioned and
engineered the sale of Alpenglow MountainSport, Inc. and assets to a
company with 40+ storefronts in 2003, by creating a diversification
opportunity. Retained by new ownership to establish and coach key
personnel in purchasing and merchandise planning strategies to compete with
big box retailers such as REI, Sports Authority, SSV and Eastern Mountain
Sports. In three year blitz we grew to dominate specialty categories with
60%+ market share. Throughout this succession I was responsible for
traveling in the field while strategizing and implementing all marketing,
operational and merchandising/purchasing components involved to
successfully direct and integrate the Alpenglow name and product mix into
multiple new locations and ecommerce sales channels.
. Possessed complete accountability for regional forecasting, budgeting,
profit and loss/financial reporting, sales, human resources,
marketing, advertising, insurance, and legal compliance. Identified,
developed and sold distinctive products and trends, exploding annual
sales by over 1200%. Grew company sales from $100,000 to $1.2 million
in annual revenue before selling the company and grew sales to $2.1
million by 2006 after adding an additional 4 in-store concept
locations in Colorado and Utah.
. Championed new products and vendors by looking into congruent
industries and utilized early adopters and grass roots marketing
techniques to brand Alpenglow as a leader in providing innovative
products and services. Leveraged Brick and Mortar business model to
develop and establish an ecommerce information and distribution
channel.
. Repeatedly identified market gaps and helped vendors/manufacturers to
design/modify appropriate, new products and bring them to fruition
supporting merchandise differentiation strategies. Synchronized
advertising, training, and marketing strategies with inventory
purchases which yielded consistent increases in annual sales and
operating profits.
. Established and implemented product and sales training which improved
customer service and loyalty by utilizing consultative selling and
reinforcement techniques. Coupled with changes in the product mix,
this increased average transaction amounts 159% and resulted in
expanding market share from 10% to 60% in marquis categories while
increasing turns and margins.
. Created and capitalized on public relations opportunities with local
television/radio/media as well as speaking on and influencing industry-
related issues at national/regional legislative hearings and trade
shows. This SME exposure spearheaded the adoption and implementation
of pricing policies and other best practices in the paddle sports
industry.
. Purchased and integrated operational software which synchronized
accounting, inventory, and customer data in an employee-friendly
environment while maintaining all quantitative/comparative historical
records. Utilized software to identify and expand opportunities and
knowledge of customer base.
Education
West Virginia University
WVU Varsity Soccer and Debate Teams
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