Sales Customer Service

SARA RIPPLE

** ******* *** ********, ** *****

cell phone: (440) 241- 4095 email: abnuic@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Multidimensional, self motivated, energetic sales management and marketing professional with a proven

ability to drive business growth through aggressive sales and marketing initiatives that produce revenue

growth, market share and new market penetration. Creative and strategic planner with the ability to analyze

trends and sales results, determine appropriate merchandising mix, and create product displays to maximize sales

opportunities. Effective team leader with a gift to generate enthusiasm, participation and support from individuals

and teams at all levels, both internal and external. Utilizes innate ability to develop strong customer relationships

by understanding business needs from the customer’s perspective and assure complete customer satisfaction

through communication, thorough follow-up, delivery on promises and exceptional attention to detail.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

AURAFIN (Division of The Richline Group: a gold jewelry manufacturing company), Columbus, Oh

Midwest Regional Territory Manager 2007-Present

Developing market presence and boosting brand in new territory by research and prospecting,

product training seminars, extensive industry trade show participation, cold calls and direct mail.

Intricate role in the purchasing of new merchandise through meetings with vendors and manufacturers

to select the most profitable product assortment to be featured in our most current catalog.

Successfully rebuilt customer and buyer relationships in an abandoned territory of more than a

year after inheriting through a company restructuring.

Proactively managing multiple projects, adapting flexibly to changing priorities and varying tasks

with the ability to not only work hard but smart.

RESULTS:

Opened 2 new major accounts with combined sales of $78,000 in an industry recessionary

period.

Increased existing account by $20,000 through applying solution-oriented customer service.

Invited to exclusive annual vendor event held by customer in which our company had never

previously attended.

AMERICAN GREETINGS, Cleveland, Oh

Area Sales Manager 2003-2007

Accountable for driving product sales of 102 accounts with sales of $3.75 million through retail

store accounts. Developed Initiatives Included: Up-sale most profitable product mix to increase

product penetration in each account with increased shelf-space through strategic merchandising.

Directly supervised a staff of 42 employees, including an assistant, by completion of two performance

evaluations per year on each merchandiser, communicated specific program initiatives from American

Greetings World Headquarters regarding national program for promotion and responsible for the

recruiting, hiring and training of personnel for accounts.

Responsible for assisting retail managers in realizing profitability of products to increase sales

and revenue with creative merchandising to drive customer flow.

Created business plans to manage expenses through accurate planning and cost-effective operating

procedures.

Conducted forecasting analysis for independent vendors on a monthly basis to drive key demand

for certain product.

Established relationships with key clients by troubleshooting problems and concerns to diffuse

potentially volatile situations, reported sales figures and offered suggestions to increase sales by evaluating

the card department.

Project coordinator for timely revisions to card departments by tracking shipments of fixtures and

product, scheduled installation crew to setup fixtures and notified vendors of changes to department.

RESULTS:

Developed seasonal sales plan with $74,153 generated in supplemental sales.

Exceeded District Sales Figures by 17.6%.

FY07: cost to sell 105.8%

SARA RIPPLE

cell phone: 440-***-**** email: abnuic@r.postjobfree.com

Resume Page 2

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, continued

MACY’S EAST, Columbus, Oh

Merchandiser 2001-2003

Maintained and applied brand correct standards to maximize profit by evaluating displays in an

aesthetically pleasing manner as to increase customer awareness and sales potential.

Accountable for communicating and setting weekly goals for sales staff.

Ensured sales plan was met by strategically merchandising the Gen-Now department.

RESULTS

Awarded 2002 Rookie of the Year.

Directly contributed to 28% of Macy’s East store business.

EDUCATION

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, Columbus, OH

Bachelor of Science 2003

Degree: Fashion Merchandising

ACTIVITIES

SALVATION ARMY, Columbus, Oh December 2007

Christmas Cheer Volunteer

BHUMI’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER, Strongsville, Oh April 2006

Certified Yoga Instructor

SUSAN G. KOMEN, Columbus, Oh October 2003-present

Race for the Cure Volunteer

KAPPA ALPHA THETA SORORITY, Columbus, Oh March 1998-present (alumni)

Alpha Gamma Chapter member

CASA, Columbus, Oh March 1998-2002

Convention Volunteer

HANNA NEIL FOUNDATION, Columbus, Oh December 1999-2002

Christmas Volunteer

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