General Manager

Joseph Hand

***** ******** *****. 703-***-****

Orlando, Fl 32824 United States ************@*****.***

PROFILE

Retail Manager with proven experience managing all aspects of single and multi-unit store operations and profitability. Prior military who is a Highly motivated, proactive, and energetic leader, who creates a thriving team-environment to consistently deliver strong results. Excels in developing solutions, building teams, and driving morale.

Key Management Experience:

• Controlling Operating Expenses

• Competitor Shopping

• Analyzing Trends & Identifying Opportunities

• Processes, Procedures & Standards

• High Customer Satisfaction & Customer Service

• Merchandising / Store Presentation

• Transaction / Receipt Accountability

• Shrink & Safety Management

• Maximizing Store Sales & Profitability

• Planning & Forecasting

• Freight Flow & Inventory Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Empire Today, LLC. Orlando, Fl.

General Manager November 2014-Present

• Currently managing the highest revenue producing market in the company (nationwide)

• Currently the number one ranked market in the company based on scorecard results and overall revenue. Leading in all areas to include repair pay and accommodation, monthly performance growth, chargeback percentage, Office management, and accounting management. Always in the top 3.

• Created a culture around inventory management to create focus among processes and procedures leading to the top 5 ranked inventory in the company.

• Implemented a future leader program designed to teach the business and basic leadership fundamentals in efforts to create a bench team for vacancies due to promotions and/or involuntary attrition.

• Assisted in the training and development of the leadership team and staff for our first brick and mortar locations.

• Reevaluated the markets internal vendor and supply program leading to YTD annual average savings of $40k to the bottom line.

Strategically implemented the LUNA and Empire flooring integration successfully though resource utilization and proactive measures designed to ensure the customer experience is not negatively impacted throughout the merger.

Harbor Freight Tools, Glen Burnie, Md November 2013-November 2014

Store Manager

• Managed the 9th highest volume store in the company (500 stores)

• Implemented personal and company best practices while driving standard operating procedures to positively impact the store P & L from a -12% controllable operating profit to exceeding budget by 9% in 60 days. This helped leverage the overall district and greatly impacted the region.

• Maximized Gross Margin percent and dollars and was consistently in the top 3 stores in the region weekly.

• Utilized internal and external communications to ensure adequate staffing that matched the customer base and the geographical location overall maximizing top line and bottom line sales.

• Managed payroll and company expenses daily to company standards to balance retention percent and drive development of leadership team.

• Have utilized performance management to help develop 4 associates to the department manager level, had 3 leaders ready to be assistant managers, and 1 Assistant manager ready for General Manager.

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, Manassas, VA November 2012 -November 2013

General Manager

• Consistently grew the business by exceeding all sales and profitability targets while managing payroll in conformity with company strategy and core values.

• Implemented a life cycle of product spreadsheet designed to ensure proper rotation of product versus manufacturer date significantly decreasing the stores markdown rate and enhancing gross margin by 17% over the previous year.

• Utilized a Commercial retention program to maximize top line sales growth while effectively maximizing gross margin rate. Gross margin impact of 8%

• Monitored and managed inventory to ensure maximum profitability and product availability.

• Maintained store appearance and merchandising above established standards and enhancing the customer experience.

• Selected, trained, developed and retained quality team members; effectively coached team members to full potential.

• Number one store with add on sales leading to a 37% positive impact on monthly gross margin.

HOLIDAY RETIREMENT, Charlotte, NC June 2012 - November 2012

Regional Strategic Team / Community Manager

• Provided leadership, supervision, training, guidance and communication while assisting with all aspects of Holiday Community Management and strategic sales.

• Developed and implement techniques and resources designed to attain and maintain one hundred percent occupancy through effective community relations, special events, direct-inquiry calls, tours, etc.

• Assessed resident satisfaction through continued personal interactions. Identified areas of concern regarding residents’ well-being and suitability to reside in the Holiday Community.

• Strategically implemented best practices to recover $45,000 in potential loss/shrink among 4 Communities.

• Developed and maintained staff that provided quality service and ensured resident satisfaction. This includes direct responsibility for hiring, training, supervision, scheduling of hours, performance management, discipline and discharge.

THE HOME DEPOT, Fairfax, VA 2006 - May 2012

Store Manager

Managed one of the most overall successful Home Depots in the company, with a $65M dollar annual business. Oversees all operations, expense management, customer service, business analysis, merchandising, buying and personnel. Managed 7 salaried managers, 16 supervisors and 250+ associates.

• Top ranked customer service Home Depot in the district, out of 6 stores.

• Recognized as Top Performing Store Manager in the company, out of 2,270 Store Managers. Store exceeded sales goal by 10+% and out-performed expense budget by 10%, 2010.

• Saved over $750K in expenses in 2011 through strategic challenging of leadership team, vendor and overall associate awareness. Expenses include payroll, shrink, buyer IMU%, charge backs, etc.

• Only Store Manager to achieve sales plan and SCOP (store controllable operating profit) all 8 quarters in 2009 and 2010; earned a company ring and 2 diamonds for performance.

• Earned the “Giving Back” award for the region, out of 92 Managers for: community engagement, maintaining a positive work environment, influencing associates to embrace change and for having 20+ associates/managers promoted with a year, 2011.

• Drives strong results and recognized as top performer in 7 out of 11 departments in the district, 2009 - 2012. Earned 200+ trophies due to this performance.

• Implemented new training program that is now utilized region wide to maintain associate hours in the Store to drive sales. Implemented to cross train and develop all associates outside allocated departments to increase associates ability to the customer and positively improve overall sales.

• Evaluated store allocations for hours to benefit stores in high traffic areas. Created to maximize associate hours in high traffic customer areas by eliminating back office and computer room payroll during power hours and utilizing them on the sales floor. Utilized region wide.

• Monitored competitor businesses and leveraged knowledge to drive my store’s sales.

• Implemented best practices to ensure my store or company would not lose any business to our competitors. Challenged my leadership team to competitor shops weekly and debrief with the team during staff meeting, any potential threats or negatively impactful to our business.

THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, Key West, FL and Portsmouth, VA 2002 - 2006

Telecommunications Specialist

• Monitored top secret message traffic and relayed pertinent information to the commanding officer. Completed 26+ patrols resulting in numerous migrant interdictions and drug busts.

• Earned “Sailor of the Quarter” out of 100 Sailors, for tireless efforts during patrols.

• Served as Boarding Officer on 50+ boarding’s in multiple migrant and drug interdictions, 2004/2005.

• Promoted to an E5 within 2.5 years versus the average 5 years, due to devotion and service.

• Boarding officer of the second largest drug bust in marine time history; recovering millions of dollars of drugs in a single effort, 2005.

LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT, Gadsden, AL 1997 - 2002

Assistant Manager

• Earned ‘Associate of the Month’, 12 times in 2 years.

• Promoted to Assistant Manager and earned fast track opportunity to become Store Manager.

• Utilized numerous sales tactics and competitive shopping techniques to enhance sales and customer service levels throughout my allotted departments.

• Taught, trained and developed individuals to advance and progress in their careers.

Successfully completed the management training course designated for future Store Managers

COMPUTER SKILLS

Windows; Adobe Acrobat / PDF; Microsoft Suite: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Access, Unix, numerous point of sale software, LRT/Inventory management software

EDUCATION

• Telecommunications School, The United States Coast Guard, 2003 – 2004

High School diploma, Florence Al. 3.4 GPA

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