BRAD STEPHEN

**** **** ****** ******, *** Vegas, NV 89166 ~ 805-***-**** ~ advjua@r.postjobfree.com ~ linkedin.com/in/bradstephen696

TOP-RANKED REGIONAL MANAGER/DIRECTOR/OPERATIONS MANAGER

15+ years of district & regional management experience in the ultra-competitive retail footwear industry

Achieved exceptional results in every role, consistently driving districts and regions to top-tier rankings

Proven success in every aspect of multi-unit leadership including people, product, and P&L management Schneiders Saddlery

Consultant and Project Manager Jun 2022 – Present

Hired to consult, plan and run an 8,000 sq. ft. pop-up store for Schneiders Saddlery for the American Quarter Horse Association Congress at the Ohio Exposition Center in Columbus.

Reviewed and recommended change orders or amendments to the specs and plans where needed. Re-worked the existing event plan with all departments (finance, merchandise, marketing, creative, IT and distribution center) using ClickUp

Communicated with key business leaders to provide updates on the status of projects and addressed concerns. Planned specific actions or reactions to ensure on-time and on-budget completion of the project

Oversaw all projects pertaining to the AQHA Congress event remotely

Responsible for recruiting, hiring and training staff of 62 for the event. Staff included independent contractors, hourly associates and temporary associates

Developed, negotiated and approved contracts for selected contractors, sub-contractors and other service providers needed to complete the project

Daily operations of event while constantly training the team.

Exceeded sales goal by 21.3%

Consultant and Project Manager

Accepted new assignment to evaluate warehouse operations which included 3 stand-alone warehouses and on-site retail store

Reported directly to the President and CEO of the company

Reviewed efficiency of the entire operation from inbound to outbound during peak shipping season

Created plan of action to alleviate bottlenecks in the current system and systematically followed those bottlenecks thru the entire process. Setup a plan for future years to assist in eliminating these choke points in the system

Evaluated personnel in each department while setting up control numbers for future years for hiring, positional and cross positional needs based on different incoming and outgoing parameters

Used cost analysis to determine needs for other shifts during peak season while looking at future and planned sales projections as well as deliveries

Setup processes in each of the warehouses to effectively manage product flow with an end goal of maximum peak efficiency

Gravity Defyer Medical Technology Corporation

Operations Director Jan 2021 – March 2022

Hired to start a new warehouse / call center operation in Nashville, TN. Company purchased property after old site struck by tornado in 2020. Provide leadership to all warehouse / call center personnel including onboarding all associates while working closely with California based executives and corporate partners.

Responsible for collecting quotes on all jobs including but not limited to: racking, security and fire alarm, internet, building maintenance, supplies, machinery …

Oversaw all projects pertaining to the Nashville warehouse and call-center

Oversaw new expansion of 60,000 sq. ft. to the existing footprint

Formulated plans to move / setup call center with 40 associates (remote and in-house)

Daily operations of warehouse while training entire team.

Recruited daily as the units processed continually exceed expectations THE WALKING COMPANY (2007–2020)

Regional Manager, West Coast Jun 2018 – December 2020 56-58 stores, 5 districts, 8 states, 1,000 employees Promoted to take over the highest-profile and highest-volume region in the country after tremendous results in the east (below). Oversee up to 58 stores (including 7 of the top 10 locations in the company) in CA, OR, WA, UT, ID, MT, NV, and HI – including the corporate office and 4 flagship stores in California & Las Vegas. Provide leadership to 5 district managers while also working closely with executives and corporate partners.

Guided the region through a time of extraordinary change, including a bankruptcy and new owners

Rebuilt a region that had several open district manager and store manager positions prior to arrival

Consistently ranked 1st in the company (3 regions) for sales volume, sales-per-store, and most KPIs

Ranked 1st in the company for average dollars-per-sale and year-over-year increase in average sale

Ranked 1st in the company for multi-pair shoe sales – improved 5% over LY in 2019

Ranked 1st in the company for customer loyalty program signups – drove the region to 33.2%

Ranked 1st in the company for sales-per-hour and year-over-year increase in sales-per-hour

Ranked 1st in the company for orthotic scanning – a key initiative within the company

Ranked 1st in the company for inventory shrink results – improved from 0.12% to just 0.08%

Turned around a NorCal/Las Vegas district that was down -4% and drove it to +0.8% and +2.2%

Opened 2 new stores (including 1 of the company’s first factory outlets), relocated 1, and closed 3

Promoted 2 new district managers, 3 area managers, and 4 training store managers internally

Recruited 1 new district manager externally to take over the flagship district in Los Angeles

Created a new district manager bonus program that rolled out to every district company-wide

Piloted several new concepts and programs and provided recommendations to the new co-CEOs Regional Manager, East Coast Aug 2015 – May 2018

74-78 stores, 6 districts, 13 states, 1,200 employees Promoted to take over an eastern region that included up to 78 stores (highest store count in the company) in ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, and FL – including high-profile flagship locations in New York City (Madison Avenue) and Tysons Corner (ABEO brand). Led a team of 6 district managers.

Took over a well-run region from a recently promoted RM and drove it to even greater heights

Lifted the region from 3rd to 2nd in the company for sales performance vs. budget by 2017

Surpassed the annual sales budget 2 out of the 3 years with positive year-over year comp growth

Ranked top 2 in the company in metrics such as average sale, sales-per-hour, and customer loyalty

Reduced shrink from 0.24% to 0.14% – improved from 2nd to 1st in the company for shrink control

Drove the average loss prevention audit score from 88% to 95% – highest in the company

Opened 9 stores and closed 13 locations – met all timelines, budgets, and company expectations

Recruited 2 high-potential store managers – developed and promoted both to district manager roles

Identified, developed, and promoted 6 area managers and 4 training store managers internally District Manager, Northeast Feb 2011 – Aug 2015

14-18 stores, 5 states, 250 employees

Selected to relocate to the northeast to rebuild and turn around another underperforming district after great success in California (below). Oversaw up to 18 locations in NY, CT, NJ, PA, and DE – including high-profile, high-volume flagship stores in New York City (Madison Avenue) and New Jersey (Short Hills).

Took over a district that was in complete disarray prior to arrival – turned it completely around

Drove the district from 14th to 3rd in the entire company (18 districts) for profit performance

Improved from 6th to 3rd for total sales volume – grew the district in sales

Generated positive comp sales growth 3 out of the last 4 years – averaged +4.7% over LY

Improved KPIs such as average sale (4th in the company) and sales-per-hour (6th in the company)

Cut shrink in half from 0.35% to just 0.17% – improved from 13th to 6th in the company

Increased the average loss prevention audit score from 78% to a near-perfect 97%

Developed and promoted 2 district managers, 2 area managers, and 8 store managers internally

Recruited 6 highly experienced store managers to the company from other retailers

Hand-picked by senior executives to train and mentor 4 out of 6 new district managers in the region District Manager, West Nov 2008 – Feb 2011

12-19 stores, 6 states, 275 employees

Selected to turn around an underperforming Northern California district that extended to Reno, UT, MT, ID, and eventually HI. This district was struggling in virtually every area of the business prior to arrival.

Increased total district sales as well as adding 7 stores in Hawaii in early 2010

Lifted the district from 4th to 2nd in the entire company (18 districts) for total annual sales volume

Established higher standards across the board and significantly improved key performance metrics

Drove the district from 12th to 1st in the entire company for inventory shrink results

Trained and mentored 2 high-potential area managers who were promoted up to district manager

Identified, developed, and promoted 2 new area managers and 5 store managers internally

Recruited and hired 4 store managers and 3 assistant store managers externally District Manager, Southern California Feb 2007 – Oct 2008 16-18 stores, 290 employees

Recruited to The Walking Company by the president to take over a Southern California district while working from the corporate office. Oversaw 3 high-profile flagships in Costa Mesa, Santa Barbara, and San Diego.

Consistently ranked 1st in the region and entire company (18 districts) for total annual sales volume

Oversaw the setup and opening of 2 new stores – opened both on schedule and under budget

“Brad is very detail oriented and organized. He sets clear expectations for his team and is very consistent with his feedback leading to his success over the 13 plus years at The Walking Company. His willingness to relocate and invest the time required to make the necessary adjustments speaks volume of his character. He has been a true asset to the company.” J. Ziemkowski – Former Retail Director, The Walking Company (2020 LinkedIn Recommendation) Previous experience in multi-unit retail management as a district manager for Foot Locker. Promoted to the flagship district in Manhattan, NY (2004-2006) after managing districts in Texas and California (2001-2004). Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management – Indiana University Brad Stephen ~ advjua@r.postjobfree.com

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