Sales Manager

DENNIS DWYER

Rockville Centre, NY ***** 917-***-**** ******.*****@*****.***

Senior Executive – Luxury Retail Industry

team leadership – revenue & profit acceleration – sales & brand strategy

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Strategic and highly creative leader with 20 years of experience helping luxury retailers accelerate growth and profitability in chaotic and competitive markets through compelling sales and management strategies that drive customer engagement, brand loyalty and operational excellence. Entrepreneurial style with exceptional problem-solving skills and a keen ability to conceptualize “out of the box” solutions to boost revenue. Trusted business advisor with a passion and talent for building positive relationships and leading teams to inspire collaboration, accountability and results.

Areas of Expertise:

Strategic Planning

Sales & Operations Management

Customer Service & Experience

Team Leadership & Motivation

Staff Development & Training

Brand Strategy

Vendor Management

Pricing & Negotiations

P&L Management/Budgets

Merchandising/Visual Displays

Special Events & Promotions

Community Outreach & Partnerships

Consumer Trends & Insights

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

NAT SHERMAN INTERNATIONAL, New York, NY 2017 – October 2020

Director of Nat Sherman Townhouse

Spearheading the brand and growth strategy for Nat Sherman’s flagship store to deliver an exceptional customer experience and drive brand loyalty and spend. Directing a 14-person team with full strategic planning, organizational leadership, P&L and operations management responsibility for retail store and private membership club offering premium tobacco products and upscale accessories. Selected achievements:

Achieved 13% sales increase in first year of hire and boosted average sale by 29% over 2-year period during an intensely competitive and difficult economic and regulatory climate for the industry.

Transformed the organizational culture by developing a highly skilled, data-driven and motivated sales team. Realigned roles and responsibilities and provided consistent coaching and training to dramatically elevate skills.

Captured over $50,000 in savings through meticulous review and analysis of vendor invoices to ensure accuracy and competitive pricing. Leveraged negotiation skills to reduce fees and eliminate excessive charges across multiple receipts, achieving significant bottom-line savings.

Conceptualized and built a highly profitable event venue business, introducing a new revenue stream by capitalizing on the store’s unique private club space. Developed marketing strategy and pricing models, and held ticketed events with leading industry speakers, as well as corporate and private parties.

Developed a customer loyalty rewards program, including program design, staff training and communications, to strengthen customer relationships and accelerate sales of Nat Sherman branded products.

Launched a Brand Ambassador program to revive sales of the store’s highest-end accessory brand. Partnered with vendor to update product mix and train staff as “go-to” brand expert, resulting in 30% sales increase in first year.

BALLY FLAGSHIP, New York, NY 2016 – 2017

General Manager

Provided strategic direction to support successful turnaround of Madison Avenue flagship store for Swiss luxury retailer offering men’s and women’s footwear, apparel and accessories. Led team of 10+ employees with responsibility for day-to-day management, including hiring and training, brand strategy, and customer experience. Selected achievements:

Delivered a 30-60-90-day action plan at start accelerating profits, re-organize and re-energize store and team.

DENNIS DWYER – PAGE 2

Grew yearly revenue by 10% and increased conversion rate and average sales ticket through structured sales strategies, training, and client development.

Conducted audit of team performance to identify gaps and learning needs in order to bring store in alignment with corporate goals. Recruited and hired majority of staff and trained team to strengthen capabilities.

Designed a CRM platform with tools for capturing and analyzing customer data. Coached team on building a personal book of business through strategic data analysis, goal-setting and customer outreach.

Created new revenue streams, including an after-care shoe program, to drive sales and elevate customer service.

Launched store discount and incentive programs for employees of L'Oréal, Baron Capital and Barneys New York.

Hosted promotional events in partnership with local artists, small businesses and nonprofits to build community engagement, generating positive and continuous ROI.

Significantly expanded Bally’s high-end clientele business by revamping and promoting a personal stylist incentive program to attract high-wealth customers and launching “Club Scribe,” a loyalist club for its signature collection.

BERLUTI, New York, NY 2013 – 2016

Manager, Men’s Shoe’s and Specialist of Bespoke for US

Led strategy and execution for successful launch and major expansion of Berluti’s NY Madison “Masion,” a subsidiary of LVMH offering collections of bespoke shoes, luxury apparel and leather goods. Directed team of 6 employees, including supervising and coaching staff to optimize performance. Selected achievements:

Delivered action plan to accelerate profits for the focal footwear business, with targeted objectives to improve product strategy, operations, customer service and staff talent. Exceeded all store goals in first year.

Transformed the bespoke business to create a highly profitable and customer-oriented business. Cultivated trusted relationships with high-profile/celebrity clients, providing personalized services and incentives to boost sales.

Hosted events at exclusive NYC clubs to increase brand visibility, resulting in substantial new and recurring business.

Designed and delivered sales team training to build knowledge of the luxury footwear industry across competitor brands in order to meet luxury buyers’ expectations.

Instituted a customer follow-up program to provide a more focused and data-driven process for customer development and outreach, positively impacting customer return rate.

BERGDORF GOODMAN, Purchase, NY ` 2012 – 2103

Manager, Dress Furnishings & Men’s Footwear

Recruited by Bergdorf’s executive leadership team to spearhead the relaunch and expansion of the company’s men’s shoe and dress furnishings department. Directed team of 16 employees and oversaw all aspects of sales, customer service and operations of business with $16 million in yearly revenue. Selected achievements:

Led strategy and day-to-day operations for newly created men’s “Shoe Library,” including oversight of product and merchandising strategies, vendor relationships, team performance, and cross-functional partnerships.

Introduced vendor product training seminars and weekly vendor meetings to build product knowledge across sales organization and to strengthen vendor partnerships.

Managed team performance to ensure achievement of all KPI targets. Assessed individual strengths and development needs and conducted ongoing coaching and performance feedback discussions.

Increased inter-department sales by improving cross-selling skills and promoting a collaborative team culture.

Partnered with buying team to analyze sales trends across vendors and implement action plans to boost sales.

INDEPENDENT SALES AGENT/LUXURY MARKET, US Territory 2010 - 2012

Launched a wholesale sales and distribution business, independently sourcing and representing multiple men’s luxury footwear & dress furnishings brands, including Pierre Corthay, Basil Racuk, Faguo, and Naked Brand. Selected achievements:

Introduced and opened US market for men’s bespoke French footwear brand Pierre Corthay. Successfully sold collections to Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and specialty shops nationwide.

Opened US markets for leather accessories company, Basil Racuk, and footwear brands Sabelt and Bonora, selling products to Bergdof Goodman and high-end independent boutiques.

Developed merchandising strategies to maximize sales, including visually engaging in-store product displays.

Conducted seminars and training sessions to build product and industry knowledge across sales teams.

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J.M. WESTON, New York, NY 2007 - 2010

Sales Director, North America

Recruited to reverse downward sales trend of NYC flagship store and significantly grow the distribution business for luxury Parisian footwear brand. Provided strategic direction and hands-on management of Madison Avenue location and led major expansion of operations throughout the US. Selected achievements:

Achieved 15% sales increase in first year by streamlining processes to improve operational efficiency and developing sales team capabilities to build a more strategic and goal-driven organization.

Grew distribution business from $20K to $1 million by cultivating strategic partnerships with luxury retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, and providing customized training and incentive rewards programs to increase sales.

Searched real estate markets nationwide to identity potential new doors for continued expansion.

Revamped the shoe repair service to create a more efficient, cost-effective and customer-friendly experience.

Hosted events and trunk shows to attract high-wealth clients, garnishing positive publicity across fashion industry media outlets. Organized and promoted the NYC “Huemeurs” event featuring celebrities and influencers, exclusive collaborations with “French Tuesday” social club and exhibits at “Pitti Uomo” fashion trade show in Florence, Italy.

MASSIMO BIZZOCCHI/KITON New York, NY 2005 - 2007

Account Representative

Joined company to develop, launch and grow a footwear category for Kiton, an Italian fashion brand known for its bespoke service and men’s suit collections. Selected achievements:

Successfully developed and launched the Kiton footwear division, representing a new category for the brand.

Opened new doors with major retailers and independent high-end boutiques across the country, significantly growing the footwear category for the sales agency.

Promoted brand during period of rapid expansion through trunk shows and seminars for sales staff of accounts.

BARNEYS NEW YORK New York, NY 2002 - 2005

Department Manager, Men’s Shoes & Accessories

Oversaw all aspects of sales and merchandising for men’s shoes and accessories for the NYC flagship location, including directing a 23-person team to achieve aggressive goals and deliver exceptional customer service. Selected achievements:

Increased department sales over consecutive seasons and consistently exceeded charge account opening goals through effective leadership of sales organization.

Introduced the Berluti brand into Barneys collection, representing the first-ever US outpost for Berluti. Gained executive buy-in to launch Berluti as part of a coordinated strategy to promote Barneys’ highest-end brands.

Elevated the customer experience by creating compelling visual displays to capture the attention of shoppers.

Significantly improved department’s “mystery shop” scores, achieving the highest levels of sales and service.

JOHN LOBB/HERMÈS GROUP, New York, NY 1998 - 2002

Flagship Store Manager

Managed the first-ever US location for 150-year old men’s Parisian luxury footwear brand, with focus on successful launch and day-to-day operations of the flagship store. Selected achievements:

Orchestrated grand opening of Madison Avenue store to create a highly successful and memorable event.

Partnered with craftsman to grow bespoke business, including meeting with clients to ensure exceptional service.

Showcased brand at industry events and trunk shows, including at major bi-annual fashion trade show in Paris.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

PACE UNIVERSITY, New York, NY

4TH AVENUE, LUXURY EXECUTIVE CLUB- BOARD OF OFFICERS - NEW MEMBERS COMMITTEE U.S.

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