Thomas F. Lambert
**A Matawan Road ■ Laurence Harbor, NJ 08879 ■ 732-***-**** ■ **********@*****.*** Results-Driven Retail District Manager
Profit-Focused Leader, Turnaround Specialist, and Team Builder with more than 20 years of retail experience as a District Manager and General Manager. Successful track record of increasing performance and profitability for multiple districts with annual revenue of $50M+. Transformed lackluster stores and districts into highly profitable operations through process improvement, leadership coaching, strategic planning, and merchandising. Built and led top-performing management teams. Earned high-level leadership awards for outstanding performance. Core Capabilities
■ P&L Management & District Management ■ Team Building & Staff Leadership
■ Store Management & Operations Management ■ Merchandising & Assortment Planning
■ Financial Management & Cost Reduction ■ New Store Openings & Renovations
■ Customer Relations & Customer Service ■ Staff Training, Coaching & Mentoring Professional Experience
MODELL’S SPORTING GOODS Dec. 1998 – Apr. 2018
Senior District Manager, Feb. 2010 – Apr. 2018 ■ District Manager, Feb. 2006 – Feb. 2010 Drove substantial revenue growth in multiple districts for a leading national retailer that specializes in Apparel, Footwear, and Sporting Goods. Originally hired as General Manager in 1998 and promoted to District Manager for South Jersey in 2006. Progressed to the higher-volume Brooklyn District and the Central Jersey District, exceeding all performance objectives every year. Promoted to Senior District Manager in 2010 with added responsibility for supervising multiple District Managers (direct reports).
Central Jersey District (Feb. 2017-Apr. 2018): Assumed leadership of a $48.5M district with 12 stores and 275 associates, including 48 managers. Assessed performance of each store to identify strengths and improvement opportunities. Developed strategies to strengthen outcomes and overall profitability. Results included:
• Increased revenue from $48.5M to $52M exceeding growth objective by 40%. Grew district’s store direct profit from $5.8M to $6.5M, an increase of 12%.
• Improved the district’s ranking from #6 to #4 (out of 12) in overall performance and profitability.
• Increased comp stores sales per hour by 2.5% and average sale by 2%. Exceeded loyalty program goal by 5%. Improved store online sales by 14%. Surpassed goals and company average for customer satisfaction and shrink. Led district to win Conversion Contest in June 2017 and Holiday Sales Contest in Dec. 2017.
• Improved gross margin through expense control and inventory management. Spearheaded the markdown, transfer, and liquidation of slow-moving inventory. Restructured merchandise mix to eliminate low-margin products/categories and focus on high-profit, high-volume products.
• Reduced payroll costs through better scheduling based upon sales-per-hour and peak times.
Brooklyn District (2007-2017): Selected to manage the second-highest revenue-producing district in company, with 10 stores and $55M in annual sales, which rose to $65M after opening two additional stores. Achieved performance goals despite significant growth in competition. Won company Leadership Award. Results included:
• Improved the district’s ranking overall benchmark ranking from #5 to #3.
• Produced a $7.4M in store direct profit (#1 in the company) in 2016.
• Increased sales per hour by 2.5%, units-per-transaction by 4%, average sale by 5%, conversion by 3%, and loyalty program participation by 7%. Lowered shrink by 10%.
• Ranked #1 in the company in conversion, average sale, and units-per-transaction increase for 2016
• Planned and managed two store openings and a large-scale renovation.
South Jersey (2006-2007): Increased the district’s performance ranking from #4 to #1 in the company. Improved annual sales from $46M to $50M (11% increase), overseeing 16 stores. Supervised one new store opening. Thomas F. Lambert Page 2
Professional Experience
MODELL’S SPORTING GOODS (Continued):
General Manager, Dec. 1998 – Feb. 2006
Managed day-to-day operations of several locations. Opened the Jersey City store and generated $4.5M in revenue after one year, exceeding goal of $4M. Grew revenue in the Staten Island store from $6.7M to $7M in three years. Increased annual revenue from $10.9M to $12M in the company’s flagship store in Times Square. Maintained full P&L responsibility for each store and provided leadership to as many as 45 employees. Managed all staffing, training, merchandising, product assortment, customer relations, and sales promotions activities. Served on the company’s Store Culture Committee.
PARTY CITY, Woodbridge, NJ Mar. 1998 – Dec. 1998
Senior Store Manager
Managed day-to-day operations for a party supply store with annual sales of $4M. Oversaw all store functions including merchandising, inventory control, loss prevention, sales, and customer service. Purchased merchandise for a business that carried more than 15,000 SKUs. Hired, trained, and supervised full-time and seasonal staff. STAPLES, INC., Paramus, NJ 1994 – 1998
General Manager
Managed a retail office supply store with annual sales of $8.1M. Provided leadership, direction, and training to 50 store employees. Selected to serve as District Trainer and conducted training programs for prospective Regional Managers. Hired new Manager-Designates and assigned Managers to stores in the region. Increased revenue and gross margin for capital and consumer goods. Grew client base through outside business development activities. THORN EMI, INC. (Rent-A-Center), Newark, NJ 1991 – 1994 General Manager
Drove revenue and profit growth for a home furnishings store with annual sales of $750K. Designed and executed marketing strategies, advertising campaigns, merchandising plans, and promotional programs. Hired, trained, and supervised store employees. Analyzed monthly P&L statements to identify cost-reduction opportunities. Managed annual operating budget for the store. Consistently achieved or exceeded revenue objectives. GETTY PETROLEUM, Newark, NJ 1987 – 1991
District Manager
Managed a $23M district that consisted of 23 locations, including 3 convenience stores, throughout central New Jersey. Conducted audits to identify strengths and improvement opportunities for each location. Negotiated lease renewals for franchisees. Reviewed and reconciled dealers' monthly financial statements. Solicited and negotiated new dealer contracts. Grew sales by instituting dealer rebate incentive programs and developing new/existing convenience stores. Received Director Award for "Contribution and dedication to the Getty team." Education
• Albright College, Reading, PA- Accounting
• Professional Development – Completed many managerial, supervisory, and customer service programs