Customer Service Inventory Control

Brian Hodges

*** *** *****, *******, ** *****

Email: *************@***.*** Phone: 256-***-****

Objective

Seeking a management position where I can lead a high-performing team in customer service, sales, inventory control, and operational excellence.

Professional Experience

Young’s Plant Farms

Regional Manager

January 2021 – Present

- Oversee merchandising operations across Lowe’s stores in three major markets: Huntsville, AL; Memphis, TN; and Jackson, TN.

- Serve as the primary liaison between Young’s Plant Farms and Lowe’s, aligning store performance with corporate expectations.

- Conduct regular store visits to ensure compliance with merchandising standards and execution of Lowe’s corporate plans.

- Provide training and support to store-level teams and field representatives.

- Analyze inventory levels, sales trends, and margins to optimize performance and identify opportunities for growth.

- Manage competitive analysis to maintain market positioning and drive profitability.

Key Accomplishments:

- Developed a strong working relationship with the Memphis district team, who regularly recognize you as a valuable asset—this district leads the company in YTD performance.

- Consistently maintain the lowest average Non-Productive Inventory (NPI) among all four regional managers.

- Achieved top-level merchandising execution, with 95% of stores rated excellent during buyer store walks.

- Recognized for professionalism and leadership in all business situations.

Garden Vision – Costa Farms

Area Manager

May 2012 – January 1, 2021

- Managed merchandising operations across 64 Lowe’s garden center locations in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

- Oversaw staffing, scheduling, payroll, and execution of planograms to ensure high standards of presentation and productivity.

- Acted as a key liaison between Garden Vision leadership, store management, and field employees.

- Conducted regular store audits, led conference calls, and supported training and operational consistency across all locations.

Staples, Inc. – Athens, AL

General Manager

March 2000 – December 2009

- Progressed through roles including Operations Manager, Sales Manager, and General Manager across four locations in North Alabama.

- Managed all aspects of sales, customer service, staff development, inventory, payroll, and P&L performance.

- Led Athens store to achieve "Store of the Year" for Region 15 (AL, MS, FL).

- Ensured compliance with corporate standards on merchandising, cleanliness, and promotional execution.

Education

Calhoun Community College – Decatur, AL

Business Coursework

1990 – 1993

Skills & Qualifications

- Strong leadership and team-building abilities

- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel)

- Experienced with CRM databases and inventory management systems

- Business owner with hands-on experience in scaling and managing operations

Interests

- Developing high-performing teams

- Building customer relationships that drive business success

- Continuous learning in sales and leadership strategies

- Founded and operated a traditional martial arts school, managing all aspects of business operations and instruction.

- Developed curriculum, taught classes, and promoted community engagement through seminars and events.

- Built a strong student base and successfully ran the school full-time before scaling operations to part-time in 2012.

Genbukan Fudoshin Dojo – Madison, AL

Owner and Head Instructor

January 2009 – May 2012

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