MARKO-HARISH PRASAD

604-***-**** adzl70@r.postjobfree.com

****-*** ******** **., *** WESTMINSTER, B.C.

Objective:

Experienced and accomplished Store and Area Manager with over thirty years of knowledge looking to leverage my extensive background into a Retail Management Role.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Highly developed communication skills: written and verbal.

• Ability to represent a company with professionalism and confidence while maintaining confidentiality.

• Bottom line understanding of financial strategies to increase profitability; proven record in managing large-scale budgets.

• Skilled in recruitment, performance management, and employee relations and development.

• Ability to analyze and address critical issues, while leading by example. EMPLOYMENT

Multi-Unit General Manager at Williams-Sonoma, Inc./ West Elm Stores Vancouver BC

June 2022 to Present

Providing leadership to achieve or exceed budgeted sales, payroll, and controllable expense goals. You will effectively manage store operations, maintain appropriate inventory levels, and maintain visual merchandising standards. You will ensure that all internal and external customers receive exemplary customer service and have a positive store/brand experience. You will ensure that sales associates build relationships with customers. Responsibilities

· Ensure stores meets or exceeds sales and contest goals and meet payroll goals based on current trends

· Prioritize, plan, and adjust schedules and daily agendas to meet business goals; hold team accountable to achieving goals

· Train and motivate all associates through on-going programs in sales, customer service, and product knowledge

· Assess performance and provide on-going feedback

· Complete and deliver performance appraisals and development plans

· Ensure teams provides an exceptional customer experience in the store to achieve world-class service standards

· Maintain presence through effective floor management and ensure staff coverage in all areas of the store as needed

· Create and maintain an environment where all associates are treated fairly and with dignity and respect, in accordance with our “People First” philosophy

· Work with District Managers and peers to develop best practices in stores management.

We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. We will create and nurture a global company culture where we confidently bring our authentic selves to work every day: where the only criteria for advancement are the quality of our work, the contributions we make to our teams and the business, and our ability to lead; and where our individual differences—whatever they may be—are valued, explored and appreciated.

IKEA Group

Store Director

July 2018 - June 2022

Richmond BC

Create and implement action plans and budgets, while continually following up on those goals and targets.

Lead a diverse team through consistent motivation and engagement. Develop knowledge of the local market and business conditions to make commercial decisions based on the information collected. Optimise sales and profitability by encouraging the team to take fast action on both commercial opportunities and customer feedback, in addition to competition and supply and performance analyses. Understand the local market potential and work with various store functions to plan and implement strategies and activities that increase sales.

Work alongside the varying departments to present the width and depth of the IKEA range in order to satisfy and inspire visitors. Ensure the store is in excellent condition with fully stocked sales spaces at all times.

Constantly find new ways of making real connections with customers to maximize sales and profitability.

Levi Strauss & Co. 2017 - 2018

Sr. Store & Area Manager

Western Canada / Richmond BC

• Provided motivation and inspiration to store leaders throughout Western Canada in order to create an environment that ensured consumer satisfaction, profitability, and maximum productivity by implementing a brand developed business plan.

• Coached, trained and incentivized a high performing team of Store Managers to ensure operational and customer service standards were maintained, and that sales and performance goals were met or exceeded.

• Analyzed business trends and created plans to increase sales, control expenses, and drive up overall profitability within the district.

• Made certain that merchandising and customer service disciplines were in place to support the rapid expansion of our retail network.

• Saw to the effective administration of loss prevention, inventory control, and safety and security programs.

• Modelled behavior that respected the background, experience and cultural differences of others while upholding the company’s integrity and values.

• Strategized with the Home Office business partners to maximize opportunities while setting both short and long term business goals.

• Recommended new products to positively impact sales.

• Promoted an environment that encouraged participation, creativity and learning by sharing best practices and building on the ideas of others within the district and region.

Banana Republic Factory Store 2017-2017

General Manager (Support DM)

• Managed all aspects of the business from attracting, hiring and training Brand Ambassadors; executing store strategy; and achieving key business goals.

• Drove team productivity to achieve financial and expense targets.

• Monitored sales forecasts to ensure labor was utilized in order to optimize traffic and sales.

• Lead implementation of product placement, marketing, and promotional strategies.

• Made certain that the team executed operational excellence by engaging customers through a service mindset.

• Worked with the team to measure the success of brand initiatives, in-store trends, and market insights to drive growth.

• Represented the brand within the market, understanding our competitors as well as driving community relationships.

• Promoted store involvement in Community in Action programs.

• Upheld a high-quality store experience for the external and internal customer.

• Built effective relationships with cross-divisional and store-center partners.

• Held accountability for team performance through consistent coaching and feedback while adhering to the Gap Inc. standards of performance.

• Created development plans that supported performance needs and career growth for personal and direct report.

Polo Ralph Lauren, Flagship Store 2015-2017

General Manager

Richmond BC

• Was directly responsible for sales and profit performance, ensuring that margin goals were met.

• Partnered with Senior Management to develop operating budgets and monitor performance.

• Was responsible for achieving store shrinkage goals and for the establishment and implementation of both new and existing loss prevention procedures.

• Established and monitored all work and store standards with the Operations Manager and individual Department Managers to ensure successful implementation.

• Saw to the recruitment, selection, supervision, and development of store staff to maximize sales and profit performance.

• Coached and mentored staff to achieve optimal results, including succession planning for current and future positions.

• Provided consistent feedback to buyers and planners to identify items and merchandise classifications of high sales and profit potential.

• Placed a high priority on providing input to both the Buying Divisions and the Visual Presentation team in regards to merchandise presentation and maintenance of an in-store environment, consistent with Polo Ralph Laurens desired image and character.

• Directed the execution of Polo’s promotional strategies and programs assuring that they support Polo Ralph Laurens sales, marketing, and profit objectives.

• Maintained a leadership role in community and charity events. Victoria Secret 2013-2015

Associate Experience Manager

• Provided leadership that drove store results with specific ownership for the culture and holistic talent pieces of the store including: recruitment, staffing, associate connectivity and the internal customer.

• Garnered results by developing and executing short-term action plans and long-term strategies.

• Fostered a customer centric culture.

• Served on the Sales Leadership team responsible for total store results.

• Maximized sales potential by spending 20% of scheduled time on sales floor.

• Supported, modeled, and enhanced all selling and sales support behaviors to ensure a seamless internal customer experience.

• Created SMART action plans that improved the work culture and results.

• Held focus groups with associate team members to provide feedback and implement action plans when necessary.

• Analyzed the customer experience, turnover reports and addressed opportunities accordingly.

• Coordinated onboarding sessions and conducted ‘Train the Trainer’ sessions for members of management team. And conducted exit interviews

• Partnered with the Store Manager and Human Resources to establish clear performance goals and objectives.

H&M Hennes and Mauritz Inc. 2008-2013

General Manager flagship store

Vancouver BC

• Managed the extremely profitable flagship location.

• Recruited, trained, and developed succession planning for all staff and management team in the store.

• Created actionable plans for the future development needs of the store.

• Maintained an overview of all Employee Relations responsibilities in the store to ensure a positive work environment.

• Maximized sales through joint operational and commercial focus.

• Guaranteed that the garment presentation, level, and visual standards were presented according to H&M’s expectations.

• Established, monitored, and followed up on: sales goals, sales plans, and sales budgets to optimize profit.

• Followed and executed safety and security routines to prevent loss and guaranteed employee and customer safety.

• Ensured high quality customer service by providing the best shopping experience for each customer.

• Established and oversaw plans, budgets, and variable costs for the store to maximize profitability.

EDUCATION

• 2008 First Aid Training

• Certificate in Computer Programming

• 2001 Institute of Corporate Learning and Business of Vancouver · Emphasis on Windows, Excel, Lotus, Doc and Microsoft Word REFERENCES

Available upon request

Contact this candidate