Sales Manager

Location:

Posted:

March 09, 2010

Helen Studer

*******@*****.***

SUMMARY

I have 5 years experience as a district manager of softlines. As a district manager in upstate New

York, I had full responsibility of sales, profit, and ensuring all associates were customer focused. I

increased the profitability and sales following corporate directives, mentoring the teams and holding

managers accountable. My success in the field was rewarded by promotion to the home office into

the buying area. As a customer focused buyer I still coached my team, followed strict financial

plans, and communicated direction to stores.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

KMart, Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, NY 1984 to 1989

Apparel operations. I started as an assistant in Syracuse NY, then promoted to manager running 2

stores in the Binghamton area. I was promoted as a District manager in 2 NY districts. I had the

total responsibility to achieve plan and maximized sales of $60 million and increased gross profit in

the district. I mentored my teams giving guidance to procedures directed from the sales and

operations departments. I coached and developed team members, strengthening assistants and

managers for promotion to higher volume stores. I also had the responsibility to hire applicants for

the corporate training program in field operations.

KMart

Planner / Asst Buyer, Detroit, MI 1989 to 1992

I was promoted to the Home office. I allocated hosiery and accessory products after analysis of

sales and history, and worked with the buyer for future assortments based on sell thrus. I was then

promoted to assistant buyer with the responsibility to work financial plans, advertising, allocation

and procurement of product lines working with the buyer. I developed product lines that achieved

planned sales and margin.

Sears Holdings / KMart, 1992 to Feb 2008

Apparel Buyer Hoffman Estates, IL

I led a cross functional team that developed assortment plans in categories that aligned with

corporate strategies delivering sales up to $250,000,000. Working with product development,

design, sourcing, advertising and domestic vendors, I built a product line that was customer

focused, priced correctly and well balanced between Brands, key items and fashion. I had full

accountability for sales and profit plans developed with the financial team that met corporate goals.

I executed the plan driving sales through pricing, advertising, promotions and controlling

markdowns. I coached and mentored assistant buyers to develop skills and understanding of the

total buying process, including understanding of the customer. I gave guidance and suggestions

encouraging and motivating the team to work together in making decisions and solving problems.

EDUCATION and TRAINING

Purdue University

University of Eastern Kentucky