Alan W. Adams
**** ********** ***** **********, ** 45044
Cell 513-***-****
Dear Hiring Manager:
I have combined a top school M.B.A. with executive skills in strategic
planning, marketing, sales management, and general management to drive
performance three fantastic companies. I have taken the lead in
instituting major competitive change, cost reductions, and productivity
improvements that have accelerated the company's turnaround efforts both in
the field and at headquarters positions. Two of my true passions are
talent acquisition and development, human resources and productivity
improvement initiatives where I have lead operational teams. I can deliver
on creating brand awareness and product categories to maximize sales and
profitability.
After reviewing your current opening and opportunity, I believe my
education, experiences and skills sets are a perfect match for this
opportunity. Although I have been very successful with my near 10-year
career with Target Corporation, I have a passion for learning and am eager
to enhance my managerial skills while continuing to develop
professionally with an innovative and dynamic company like yours.
Accomplishments critical to my success at Target Corp., Pella Windows &
Doors, Inc. and Sears Holdings included:
o As District General Manager-Principle Development Program, profitably
directed the $52 m P & L spanning 9 (multi-unit) locations through-out
the state of Colorado: responsibilities executed in directing 6
managers overseeing sales, installation business, cost reductions,
business process improvement events and advertising
o Generated $210 m in cost saving reductions during my position as
leader of -Tool Territory at Sears, to be realized in 2004/5:
Implemented an entire new compensation program; utilize change
management strategies to drive development, engagement and
relationships to win in retail; lead the training to drive Protection
Agreement penetration rates.
o Additionally, I have strong marketing experience including launching
of new products that increased sales by $30 million in the first year.
I have a great talent for coaching and teaching how to achieve better
sales results. I also forecast sales on a multidivisional and
national level.
I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and
experiences in more detail. Thank you for the consideration. I can be
reached at on my cell at 513-***-**** or ****.******@*****.***. I look
forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Alan W. Adams
Alan W. Adams, M.B.A.
6109 Lancashire Trail, Cincinnati, OH 45044
Email: ****.******@*****.***
Phone: 513-***-****
__
Executive Summary:
Management experiences include 24 years results in human resources,
retail, sales and operations with up to 450 employees and $2.1 Billion in
sales. Recognized for ability to identify continuous change actions to
reduce cost, enhance quality, drive service contracts and increase margins.
Supervised up to 18 direct reports with responsibilities in financial
reporting, planning, forecasting, human resources, strategy, and
productivity improvement. As the leader of the building, I have overall
responsibility for development and execution of strategic plans, business
plans, budgeting, department hiring. Enjoy driving new improvements with a
6sigma thought process and obtaining sales goals. Provide career
counseling, coaching, and development to both new and experienced managers.
Talent development is a true passion and I will deliver the same results
for your company.
Career Summary:
CAREER SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE
* Marketing/Sales Experience * General Management * Analytical
* Revenue growth strategies * Business Restructuring *
Leadership Skills
* Profit Maximization * Talent Management *
Strategic Planning
* Manage Execution * Competitive Strategies *
Driving Sales Performances
Work History:
Director of Sales-Tool Territory, August 2001 to Jan 2003
Sears, Roebuck & Co. ~ Hoffman Estates, Illinois
o Total P&L accountability of $2.1 b P&L Tool Territory; including
policy changes affecting operations and human resources
o Leadership of this strategic initiative provided a sales increase of
14.6% and ROI of 9.6%
o Ensure promotions are profitable and deliver significant ROI.
o Works closely with cross-functional leadership around product
development, business/finance, content and business development to
ensure we build robust and sustainable business.
o Analyze data from SAS and NPD retail tracking reports to make
assumptions and communicate to executive leaders including the
president of Home Improvement.
o Directed 600 sales managers and 32 district managers on consultative
selling practices.
o Lead insight-gathering research into consumers, competitive, category
and retailers to secure knowledge that can be utilized to deliver
growth opportunities.
o Grow sales by identifying new customers for our products though market
research and promotion.
General Manager - Store Team Leader (GM), Sept. 2005-Present
Target Corp.- Cincinnati, OH
o HR Execution that ensures that the store operates in full compliance
with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies for 250 team
members.
o Drive extended service plans and credit to achieve overall top line
sales.
o P&L accountability for $53 m retail operation.
o Developed a training program to teach new GMs on how to use their
reports to drive the business around financial profitability.
o Mollify legal risk in the event of charges of harassment or
discrimination or any other HR policy violations.
o District Recruitment Captain, Leader for internships and Strategic
Planning.
o Provides direction to team leaders seeking career
development/advancement.
o Responsibility for development and execution of strategic plans,
business plans, budgeting & hiring.
o Works closely with cross-functional leadership around product
development, business/finance, content and business development to
ensure we build robust and sustainable business
Adjunct Professor, Fall 2009 - present
Miami University ~ Oxford, OH
o Teaching junior level principles of marketing 291 and case studying
management
General Manager, March 2004 - Sept. 2005
Sears, Roebuck and Co.- Evansville, IN
o HR Execution that ensures that the store operates in full compliance
with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
o Accountable for the store's profit performance to plan, including
sales and miscellaneous revenue growth; optimizing credit performance,
enhancing margin, and effectively managing inventory and expenses; P&L
accountability of $43 m retail operation.
o Fully optimized the customer experience by promoting a fast, in-stock
and helpful store environment with customer satisfaction scores
improving by 22% in 2004.
o Utilized talent management to develop a high performance management
team overseeing 275 employees.
o Use my Kaizen skills to develop a factory line mentality for receiving
our merchandise.
o Develop a personal selling strategy to drive overall protection
agreement sales to #1 in the district.
o 38% balance of sale in the appliance category for the store
o Lead Merchant accountable for driving sales through execution of
dominant presentations, and by driving national visual and merchandise
presentation standards in our 175,000 sq ft store.
o Developed a matrix for performance management of salary team members
that included weekly store visit reports with action plans for
improvements by business.
Director /GM-Retail Division, January 2003 - March 2004
Pella Windows & Doors, Inc.~ Denver, Colorado
o Created organizational change initiatives at Headquarters geared at
improving institutional efficiency for profitable growth in sales,
logistics and inventory management.
o Lead all human resource activities for 9 stores, 10 sales
representatives and warehouse facility.
o Develop annual budget for select field marketing sources and update
forecast monthly based on results and trends.
o Carry out on going analysis and reporting of program effectiveness by
market, offer training, creative supporting materials and other tests
to come up with the optimal for each program. Compare results to
budget and share findings.
o Devised the marketing 3-year plan with print vendor, intranet updates
and newspapers advertising.
o Provide incomparable leadership and extensive training to staff
concerning effective sales skills and account management techniques,
dramatically increasing market share and corporate profitability.
o Multi-store management of 9 stores in the state of Colorado
o Identify, develop, and evaluate business brand and category marketing
strategies based on knowledge of market characteristics and other
business environments
o Kaizen leader during 3 significant events that have proved to save the
company on average 27% per event.
District Sales Manager, Appliances/Electronics May 2000 to August 2001
Sears, Roebuck & Co. ~ Hoffman Estates, IL
o Facilitated an increased appliance/electronic revenues by 13% to reach
$242 m
o Increased miscellaneous income accounts to rank 5th out of 52
o Developed payroll measurement report to analyze staffing shortages
that help drive overall profitability
o Multi-store management of 17 sales managers in 15 different stores in
an extremely high profile region of company; direct communication on
daily basis with 6 vice presidents
o Utilized performance management techniques to drive 130 bp
improvements in gross margin
o Developed a weekly reporting system that drove sales managers
decisions based on statistics
o Promoted to Director of Sales, Tool Territory initiatives, Hoffman
Estates, IL.
Store General Manager, May 1998 to May 2000
Sears, Roebuck & Co. ~ Bellevue, NE
o Utilized change management practices to drive customer satisfaction to
the #1 spot in 134 store region
o #1 in district in gross margin improvement with a 305 basis point
change.
o Promoted to District Manager, Chicago, IL.
District Business Manager, Dealers Store Program (franchisees), January
1997 to May 1998
Sears, Roebuck & Co. ~ Springfield, MO
o Instrumental in coaching independent owner-operators to increased
sales in their business from $19 m to $28 m throughout the district
o Multi-unit management of 22 owners that earned us the District of the
Year award
o Promoted to General Manager, Sears Store in Bellevue, NE.
National Merchandise Manager, Home Improvement Category, October 1994 to
January 1997
Sears, Roebuck & Co. ~ Hoffman Estates, IL
o Strategically expanded national sales from $122 m to $350 m by
selecting the right product mix
o Promoted to District Business Manager because of consistent
Business Analysts. Home Improvement Category, May 1994 to October 1994
Sales Manager - Sears Home Improvement Category, June1992 to June 1994
Education: Master of Business Administration, Bellevue University
Bachelor of Business Administration, Mt Mercy College
Certifications: Six Sigma, Green Belt - Awarded September 2002
Change Management - Awarded October 2002
Other Major Accomplishments:
o Received the Regional award for Wellness in 2013.
o Ranked 46 in Company for percent of increase in sales YTD 2013
o Ranked #74 in Company for sales to goal in 2012.
o #1 in Group in Productivity, Customer survey scores and checkouts in
2010.
o Ranked 7th out of 1762 Target stores for Sales to Goal (YTD) 2011.
o Ranked 103 in sales out of 1762 Target Stores for Percent of Increase
in 2010.
o Best in Class operational results Group 494 in 2010.
o #1 in region for productivity improvement in logistics in 2009.
o #1 in Group (77 stores) for profitability in store 2008.
o #1 in District on guest survey scores and productivity improvement in
2007
o #1 in District, #10 in Region for Customer Service YTD in 2005
o #1 in District for Account Acquisition in 2004
o #8 in Nation for best Pella Branch Scorecard in 2003
o 3rd Quarter Pella Outstanding Performer Award in 2003
o #1 in Region for Services Revenues in 2000
o #1 in Customer Service for Des Moines District in 2000
o District Winner of the Laundry Sales and Computer Sales Contest in
2000
o District Winner of the Cooking Sales Contest in 2001
o #1 in Sales Growth for District Managers in Region through Aug. 2001