Darian Jefferson

Los Angeles, CA 310-***-**** ac7pv2@r.postjobfree.com

District Manager / Regional Sales Manager

Strategic leader and customer centered manager with expertise in building and leading teams focused on exceeding goals. Drive profitable retail operations with success in capitalizing on growth opportunities, innovative marketing plans, fostering personnel promotions, and upholding fiscal integrity. Articulate communicator and effective trainer to deliver on organizational brand standards.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Planning & Execution P&L Accountability Training & Development

Forecast / Budget Management Operational Best Practices Talent Recruiting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MM Enterprises Inc., Culver City, CA 10/2017 – 8/2018

Director of Retail / Regional Manager

Drove development of customer oriented, high performing service/retail operational teams producing $140 million in annual sales in 15 locations. Full P&L accountability; recognized for creating business plans and managing performance to plans. Pioneered strategies to boost efficiency and quality of standards while controlling costs.

Partnered with VP of Sales to achieve overall market share growth and sales objectives in 3 states (CA, NV, NY) and facilitated the opening of 5 stores. Direct oversight for purchasing, vendor relations, product security/inventory control management, and accounting.

Exceeded P&L goal for 2017-2018 by +4%.

Led a team of 6 managers (district, store, operations, and visual merchandise). Recruited, hired, coached and developed a high performing sales team of 600 personnel to support growth plan.

Wrote standard operating procedures, training curriculum, and updated job descriptions. Created best practices and operational checklists for key business activities including legal compliance.

Collaborated with Marketing for branding and content development for website, social media, mobile app, digital marketing, print advertising and in store signage.

Created tracking tool which improved accuracy of customer forecasting as well as a heightened understanding of monthly sales and future sales potential by location.

Negotiated volume-based contracts with key suppliers, partnering with Purchasing.

Launched new brand in CA achieving $125K in quarterly sales; exceeded forecast by 2%.

Conducted weekly one-on-ones with District Mangers on key performance indicators. KPIs included activity tracking, weekly sales, market insight and product sell through.

Elevated visual merchandising standards, pricing strategies and promotion strategies with Visual Merchandising Manager for a consistent store experience in each store, regardless of size or location.

Following acquisitions of new stores, transited retained employees through onboarding and training.

Expanded traffic upwards by 11% through faster service times, cleaner stores and superior store talent.

National Stores, Inc., Gardena, CA 10/2015 – 10/2017

Sr. District Manager

Provided leadership and direction in all facets of operations within Los Angeles and Orange County markets, ensuring compliance with corporate SOPs for 36 stores producing $145 million in sales.

Partnered with CEO and EVP for strategic planning and training workshops for employees.

Inspired 36 Store Managers and their teams to ensure a positive learning environment and boost morale by implementing rewards with recognition plans.

Averaged 15% annual revenue growth in district by readjusting policies to be customer friendly and training staff in relationship building. Improved customer retention by 10%; tracked via email surveys.

Effectively managed 3 remodels and closed 2 underperforming stores with expiring leases.

Expanded brand recognition by building relationships with other retailers and charitable organizations.

Ensured loss prevention policies, systems, and procedures were implemented in all stores and that any discrepancies were investigated to minimize the risk loss causing 3% shrink reduction.

Communicated merchandise flow and visual presentation challenges with recommended solutions.

Trained Buyers and Allocation department to identify/act on sell down strategies and maintain visual presentations in all product categories.

Facilitated the training of District Managers from 80 Conway/CW price stores after acquiring brand.

Strategically sourced for open positions through job search sites and professional networking.

Produced weekly, monthly, and annual recruiting reports for staffing forecasting and retention analysis.

Forever 21/XXI Forever, Los Angeles, CA 1/2012 – 10/2015

District Manager

Managed various markets in California (10+ stores) as needed; later relocated to Hawaii to manage 5 locations in HI and Guam; $60 million district in a high profile market.

Translated regional business objectives into positive sales comps and profitability in the last 36 months.

Onboarded key HQ operational personnel and international business partners.

Promoted Sales Managers to higher volume stores on the West Coast to drive top line sales growth.

Outperformed organization on comp sales +10%, payroll control and budget expenses

Chosen to assist with annual planning for strategy meetings with owners and founders of the company.

Produced company launch aligned with movie, television, musical brands (i.e., Glee, Hello Kitty, Barbie)

Analyzed merchandise flow to assist with execution of visual directives in driving sales.

Developed high performance team of managers who achieved financial plans, sales goals and customer service objectives. Conducted performance evaluations and provided feedback and coaching.

Express/Limited Brands, South Bay, CA 5/2003 – 1/2012

Store Manager (5/2003 – 1/2012)

Increased sales from $12 million to $15 million by managing 6 sales leaders and 60 associates. Created training course for new recruits, focused on effective onboarding to speed profitability.

Identified and recruited top talent to impact sales performance and develop next generation of leaders

Created succession plans and bench strength to fill open positions and maintain a fully staffed store.

As a hands on leader, inspired and created a rewarding atmosphere that embodied associate growth. Set high standards to create a desire to excel by recognizing individual and team performance.

Communicated direction to Sales Leadership Team and District Manager through open lines of communication to relay store metrics and relevant information in a timely manner.

District Visual Manager (1/2001 – 5/2003)

Assistant Sales Manager / Visual Merchandise Manager (10/1998 – 1/2001)

EDUCATION

California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA - Business Management

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