Michael J. Grabowski

Senior Director of Retail

adsae7@r.postjobfree.com • LinkedIn

646-***-****

Qualifications

Summary

Dedicated and results-driven executive highly skilled at implementing retail operations, process’ and team development. Consistent history of ensuring strong ROI and market share acquisition by partnering with corporate executives, divisional heads, design teams and store line management/associate teams. Outside of the box self-starter. Organizational change maker who thrives and succeeds in challenging markets, surpassing goals, and ensuring superior store line execution. Keen negotiator who ensures brand’s bottom line goals fully actualized. A natural leader with excellent communication skills and the ability to partner cross-functionally across the organization.

P&L Management

Multi-Unit Management

Corporate Interface

VM Training

Team Builder

Digital Marketing

Social Media Analysis

VM Planning

ROI Analysis

Market Analysis

Pipeline Builder

VM Execution

Career

Experience

Centric Brands, Global Brands, Li & Fung, Fishman & Tobin 2007 to 2020

New York, New York

Senior Director of Retail & Store Planning

Developed and managed retail account/store merchandising organization in US/Canada for $90M men’s/women’s/children’s divisions.

(20+ US/Canada district managers/store teams 100 specialists and 500+ store associates)

Accounts – Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom’s, Hudson Bays, Belk, JC Penny, and brand specialty stores – (1000 dept. store doors and 155 multi-unit specialty stores)

Brands - Tommy, Calvin Klein, Buffalo, Nautica, Sean John, Izod, and Under Armor

Created/executed Centric Men’s/Kids/Women’s yearly retail VM guidelines/playbooks/plan-o-grams.

Managed all Men’s/Kids store planning/visual functions for all national accounts.

Developed country-wide web based seasonal training process saving 100K yearly.

Managed all HR hiring process’ for Retail Development managers/specialists/associates.

Created and launched Centric Brands Men’s/Kids web-based reporting platform simplifying reports.

Developed market trend, revenue, and inventory management analyses on platform.

Developed quantitative sales analysis on platform illustrating ROI for VM division.

Posted +5% annual TY vs LY sales/stock yearly increase and margin improvement.

Developed market trend, revenue, and inventory management analyses on platform.

Managed program P&L/budget, ensuring profitability and adequate divisional coverage.

Created divisional management layers ensuring managerial next steps for program associates.

Created US/Canada program internship ensuring trained talent pool as needs of business dictate

BDS Marketing, LLC - Retail Marketing/Merchandising Firm 2003 to 2007

Irvine, CA

National Retail Program Director

Directed all apparel merchandising programs/personnel including program managers, administrative personnel, and store line support teams ($50 M combined volume)

Brands – XOXO, DKNY Kids, Burberry Kids, PUMA Men’s/Women’s, Carhart, GEOX and several independent merchandise launches.

Accounts – Macys, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom’s, Belk, Lord & Taylor, and all multi-unit specialty stores

Chief client’s contact for all apparel clients ensuring superior execution and satisfaction.

Managed district managers, coverage schematics and transitional plans based on volume and needs of each business unit.

Developed and executed account focused training on corporate and regionally focused visual merchandising standards.

Responsible for all hiring and review processes along with P&L budget responsibility for all apparel division contracts with +5% sales/margin increase year over year.

Negotiated new and existing program contracts yearly with Apparel President.

Women's Nautica Jeans Company 2000-2003

New York, NY

National Program Manager

Developed Nautica Women's wholesale/retail RC program (in Macys/Bloomingdales/Dillards)

from 4 to 10 RCs and an annual budget of 500K+

Managed P&L productivity under the guidance of VP Retail Development; ensuring budgetary plans were achieved/exceeded

RCs all hired from my active retail coordinator contact network

Created RC training materials, including seasonal look books register guides, ensuring RCs and store management/associates properly trained and executing divisional merchandising priorities

Developed regional to corporate communication structure to highlight opportunities/issues

Tommy Hilfiger 1994-2000

New York, NY

Northeast Regional Manager

Began Tommy career as Long Island Retail Coordinator (1994) with daily responsibility for 20 Tommy Hilfiger shops/stores in region

Daily responsibility for staffing, sales training, merchandising and P &L

Excelled as LI RC and was promoted to NY Metro District Manager (1995)

Continued responsibility for 5 stores while adding managerial responsibilities for 4 other retail coordinators and regions (50 stores/shops)

Managerial role for the proper store/shop execution, growth, and development of 5 retail coordinators and their teams

Perry Ellis International 1993-1994

Merchandise Coordinator

New York City, NY

Macys Herald Square 1992-1993

Department Manager/Start Team - Managerial Program

New York City, NY

Tommy Hilfiger 1991-1992

Shop/Store Manager

West Farms, Connecticut

Education

B.S. in History, Political Science, Sociology

The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY

Cornell – Digital Marketing Certification, December ‘21

Udemy – The Complete Digital Marketing Landscape, November ‘21

Contact this candidate