SUSAN CLARKIN
*** ***** ****** **. ********, ON, L8T 3T7, 905-***-****, ********@*******.***
PROFILE
• Extensive experience in Senior Operations, Customer Service Leadership and Management in
the retail industry.
• A builder of motivated and results driven teams, who shows exceptional strength in recognizing
and solving problems.
• Expertise in retail management, performance management, team recruitment and training, store
operations and customer service.
• Strong communicator and dynamic public speaker with a contagious enthusiasm and
commanding public presence.
• Versatile and analytical thinker with an eye for detail and adept at problem solving. Disciplined,
conscientious and driven.
• Able to work independently, within a team environment and taking own initiative.
• Excellent at identifying operational targets – planning and executing on deadline and within or
under budget.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
LAURA CANADA TORONTO, ON 2003 TO 2013
REGIONAL MANAGER
• Led the Greater Toronto Area for Laura Canada overseeing and managing 22 stores
• Indirectly responsible for approximately 280 Store Associates, 26 Store Management and a
District Manager.
• Mentored and developed direct report to be promoted to DM and RM positions.
• Provided in depth store feedback to the marketing, buying and allocation departments as the
liaison from Operations regarding inventory levels, fashion and customer feedback.
• Instrumental in the creation, development and roll out of a National Customer Service Training
Program.
• Championed from concept to execution, an annual Q4 National Recognition Program supporting
increased comp performance by 10%.
• Consecutively achieved and held the #1 single highest volume Friends & Family sales event. The
following year we beat our own best by 45%.
• Developed, led and facilitated Body Shape Training for Laura Canada.
• Consistently achieved sales year after year
MOBILIA TORONTO, ON 2001 TO 2003
REGIONAL MANAGER
• Responsible for the overall operations and financial performance of the Toronto Area, consisting
of 6 Mobilia and Thomasville stores and a warehouse.
• Responsible for the overall customer experience from sales through to delivery and service
provided in all the Toronto stores.
• Analyzed and re-evaluated the service level provided at store level in Toronto. Identified the need
to change the environment from sales at any cost to a customer focused environment.
• Developed a hiring profile for both the Sales Manager and Sales Associate positions. Directly
identified and recruited decorating professionals from the competition for improved customer
experience and sales growth.
• Analyzed and re-evaluated the Delivery process. Recruited a highly experienced Customer
Service Manager. Negotiated a contract with a new delivery company to lower expenses while
improving the level of service provided.
• Actively involved as a Company Director in the 1st ever Mobilia strategic plan. Participated in
defining key corporate strategies to address in 2003.
DYLEX LTD TORONTO, ON 1984 TO 2000
REGIONAL MANAGER 1987 TO 2000
• Flexible and adaptable in managing two separate and distinct businesses simultaneously
• Recruited, trained and developed a successful team of 26 management, 3 visual display
technicians and indirectly responsible for 250-300 store level associates.
• Achieved continual growth in both sales and profit in the region.
SPORTSWEAR BUYER 1984 TO 1987
• Achieved results focused in the area of sales, gross margin, inventory turns, open to buy and
flow of receipts for approximately $4 million in inventory across 140 stores in the blouse
category.
• Developed effective negotiation skills and vendor relations to ensure both the quality and pricing
were as good as or better than the competition.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
541 EATERY AND EXCHANGE HAMILTON, ON JULY 2013 TO PRESENT
• Pay it forward program – button sales, counter help, assisting with food orders, cash, hostess
THE ARTHRITIS SOCIETY TORONTO, ON 2013-TO PRESENT
ROCK THE JOINT COMMITTEE MEMBER
• Raffle ticket sales 2013 were +100% LY
• 2014 successfully solicited the highest number of auction and raffle prizes for assigned area
ART GALLERY OF HAMILTON – ANNEX HAMILTON, ON 2013TO 2014
• Commercial Sales
DEVELOPMENT COURSES
Leadership for Excellence, Ken Blanchard
Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Programs Insights Profile Training
Managing for Motivation, Xerox Canada Multi Store Supervision- Harry Friedman
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Fashion Hiking Decorating