Sales Manager

LIsa M. Kitchen

** ********* ********, ****** *****, ONTARIO, L8E 6G8

C: 905-***-**** *******@**.*** CA.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/LISAKITCHEN PROFILE

Accomplished Retail Operations executive with 10+ years of national operations management experience and 20 years of expertise in directly supporting top level leaders. Combines initiative and a genuine passion for operations and excellence with a proven ability to drive efficiency, resolve challenges, and improve team and organizational performance. CORE COMPETENCIES

Retail operations management Training & development Policy development Strategic planning Performance management Standards & compliance Program & project leadership Workflow optimization Store openings & closures Business strategy Employee engagement Communications WORK EXPERIENCE

RED APPLE STORES INC.

Red Apple Stores is a nationwide chain of 156 value retail stores serving Canadians under the Red Apple and The Bargain! Shop banners. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation ($1.1B+ in capital resources www.redapplestores.com).

Store Operations Manager Mississauga, Ontario July 2011 - April 2015 Roles: Developed and led national retail operations for a 156-store chain employing 2,000 associates and generating

$136M in annual sales; managed Store Operations programs and strategies to improve business performance, profitability and service; oversaw 11 District Managers; administered a $130M+ budget; established and communicated store policies and procedures impacting sales, customer experience, inventory and merchandising; ensured compliance through store monitoring and visits; served as Store Communications Specialist and Head office’s subject matter expert on all aspects of store processes; developed annual sales and wage hours budgets; managed training programs; participated in recruiting; collaborated cross-functionally with Marketing, Merchandising, IT, Logistics, Construction and Real Estate departments. Achievements:

Planned, led and managed 100 store closings, 11 store openings and more than 40 renovations (6-8 week projects), including establishing budgets, timeframes, critical path and managing liquidations while maintaining positive margins.

Led key Operational initiatives including a) implementing a chain-wide zone pricing strategy that increased profits, b) establishing standards to improve chain-wide execution and accountability, c) launching a new visual merchandising program, and d) rolling out a more efficient POS software nationally to improve Head Office’s access to real-time data.

Oversaw a major customer experience and satisfaction survey project to optimize pricing, product mix, store processes and promotions and led all aspects from development through to monitoring of store level performance.

Reduced costs and overhead by leveraging buying power and negotiating with major vendors.

Developed and led the rollout of chain-wide initiatives, including a gift card program, seasonal sales incentives as well as transitions to new wholesale partners (i.e. vendors of greeting cards, tobacco and DVDs).

Instrumental in increasing sales and profitability by partnering with senior management as a key player in the “Polish the Apple” initiative that included intuitively aligning store layouts to customer preferences, behaviours and needs.

Reduced store maintenance costs by approximately 25% by proactively implementing a review of monthly invoicing cost and identifying areas of savings.

Improved decision support by developing weekly and monthly reporting tools to monitor status of stores/districts and provide major KPI data at any time.

Consistently earned outstanding performance reviews and the highest percentage increases in the Operations Group.

(LISA M. KITCHEN RESUME CONTINUED PG 2 OF 2)

ANDREW PELLER LIMITED

Andrew Peller Ltd. (TSX:ADW.B) is a Canadian wine making consortium that produces and markets award-winning premium and ultra-premium brands and owns/operates retail locations in Ontario (www.andrewpeller.com). Retail Supervisor Grimsby, Ontario April 2007 - July 2011 Roles: Oversaw operations for 100+ independent retailers in Ontario staffed by 1,000 employees and operating under The Wine Shop and Aisle 43 brands; led the planning and implementation of retail and brand strategies, strategic vision, operational best practices, training, visual merchandising, compliance, and employee engagement initiatives; managed 2 direct reports and 4 District Managers; negotiated leases and contract renewals; led processes for store openings, renovations and closings; developed and/or approved all store communications; contributed as a key member of the Health & Safety Committee; managed relationships and administered documentation associated with Alcohol and Gaming Commission, The Wine Council of Ontario and various municipalities; travelled extensively throughout Ontario. Achievements:

Developed the Retail division’s 5-year business strategy as well as chain level business plans for 100 locations that generated approximately $55M in annual sales.

Increased store productivity by implementing analyses of store performance KPIs, creating weekly/monthly/quarterly plans, and developing a reporting tool that was employed in all stores.

Rewrote the company’s Store Policies and Procedure Manual to promote uniform best practices and compliance.

Led the successful phased rollout of new POS terminals to 100 stores (6-month project). PAYLESS SHOESOURCE CANADA LP

The Canadian division of the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere employed more than 3,500 associates across the country and generated approximately $275M in sales from 300+ stores in 2007 (www.payless.com). Office Manager & Executive Assistant to the President Mississauga, Ontario March 1998 - April 2007 Roles: Excelled in a managerial leadership role within the Division office; managed 5 direct reports and 11 District Managers; ensured smooth daily office operations and national business administration; managed high level relationships with vendors, affiliates and business associates; planned, managed and participated in all aspects of divisional meetings and workshops, including travel, venue and logistics; coordinated annual Performance Appraisals and the Executive Development Review program; led recruitment and hiring; tracked/ verified field expenses and administered a $1M budget; developed analyses and reports for all Board meetings; provided administrative support to the President, including maintaining calendar, coordinating all travel, drafting communications and managing confidential matters. Achievements:

Supported the President during a time of rapid organizational expansion from 10 to 300 stores.

Developed and led incentive programs including President’s Club for stores exceeding $1M in annual sales volume.

Planned and managed divisional events, workshops and national sales meetings attended by 1,000+ people. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE (details available on LinkedIn) Store Operations Coordinator - Fairweather & Braemar, Dylex Women’s Wear Group, Toronto, ON, August 1994 - March 1998 EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts program (Psychology), Carleton University, 1994 Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD, honours in Business Math), Orchard Park Secondary School, 1991 CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) First Aid Certified Health & Safety Management Representative - JHSC Certification Part I Time Management (Franklin Covey) 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Franklin Covey) 4 Disciplines of Execution (Franklin Covey)

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