Store Leader and Operational Excellence Expert
Resume:
JOANNE MERTZ
********@*****.***
www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-mertz
Experienced retail professional with a proven track record in delivering exceptional customer satisfaction and operational excellence. Skilled in diverse team management and fostering seamless operations. Exceptional communicator with a diplomatic leadership style that consistently inspires excellence and aligns teams with brand standards. Led high-performing teams, adapting leadership strategies to meet seasonal demands while maintaining year-round operational excellence. Expertise includes talent acquisition, development, and retention, coupled with a focus on visual and operational standards. Well-versed in managing supply logistics, conducting thorough store evaluations, and leveraging technology for enhanced customer engagement.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Superior Customer Satisfaction - Coach, Trainer, and Mentor - Strategic Retail Visionary - Team Development
Operational Support - Retail Product Specialist - Excellent Communication - Talent Management
Efficient Task Management - Diplomatic Leadership - Collaborative Team Player - Operational Excellence
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Fabletics Aug 2025-present
Store Manager
Manage a team of 30-35 members in a very fast-paced environment, ensuring consistent operational
excellence and year-round team productivity.
Lead store operations: Act as a business owner with ultimate responsibility for daily operations, ensuring
alignment with brand goals and personal stretch goals to achieve the necessary growth in sales,
Effective communication and accountability: Establish clear expectations for all staff members, hold
the team accountable to brand performance standards, behavior standards, as well as lead weekly
leadership meetings to drive business standards as well as communicate any behavior problems
other leaders are experiencing. Follow-up on previous feedback is also discussed.
Financial Management: Manage store business plan execution, analyze sales trends specific to the Mall of America, make strategic decisions, and train the team on business acumen to be able to achieve all financial
and expense targets.
White House Black Market Nov 23-Aug 2025
Store Manager
Oversaw a team of 15 associates, ensuring seamless operations and beating the brand goals set for
this specialty location.
Delegated tasks to appropriate staff to allow a seamless workflow and monitored progress to ensure
consistent operational excellence and customer service.
Visual excellence: ensured compliance with company brand standards and followed up with regional
feedback to ensure compliance.
Talent Management: recruit, hire, and properly develop and retain a management and associate
team. Provided ongoing feedback and coaching for individual and team development.
Financial Management: Manage store business plan execution, analyze sales trends, make strategic decisions, and train the team on business acumen to achieve financial and expense targets. Utilize technology and social media to enhance customer engagement and drive results.
Aerie - Minneapolis, Minnesota July 2022-Nov 2023
Store Manager
Managed a team of 25-30 members, showcasing adaptability in leadership strategies tailored to seasonal demands, ensuring consistent operational excellence and team productivity year-round.
Lead store operations: Act as the business owner with ultimate responsibility for daily operations, ensuring alignment with brand standards and operational excellence.
Develop high-performing leadership team: Train and coach store management, fostering a team that achieves sales goals and upholds brand values and customer service standards.
Inspire team: Motivate associates through compelling vision and purpose rooted in American Eagle Outfitters’ core values, consistently modeling customer service standards and behaviors.
Effective communication and accountability: Establish clear expectations, hold the team accountable for brand, performance, and behavior standards, and lead weekly leadership meetings to drive the business strategy.
Talent management: Recruit, hire, develop, and retain a high-performing management and associate team. Implement performance management tools and processes, providing ongoing feedback, and coaching for individual and team development.
Financial management: Manage store business plan execution, analyze sales trends, make strategic decisions, and train the team on business acumen to achieve financial and expense targets. Utilize technology and social media to enhance customer engagement and drive results.
Visual and operational excellence: Ensure compliance with company brand standards, supervise merchandise handling, execute visual directives, and maintain operational procedures. Maintain store audit compliance and adhere to loss prevention standards.
J.Crew - Edina, Minnesota August 2021-May 2022
Associate Manager
Oversaw a dedicated team of 15-20 staff members, ensuring seamless operations and consistently achieving store goals. Collaborated closely with the store manager to implement strategic improvements, driving enhanced performance and goal attainment.
Managed supply logistics effectively by overseeing the timely placement of bi-weekly orders, guaranteeing the store had essential supplies for uninterrupted operations, showcasing exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
Played a pivotal role in talent acquisition and development by conducting interviews, making strategic hires, and providing comprehensive training to team members, fostering a skilled and motivated workforce.
Enforced visual company standards meticulously each month, guaranteeing the store's presentation met the highest quality, and reinforcing the brand's image and customer experience.
Dynamically delegated tasks among team members and closely monitored progress, ensuring seamless workflow. Proactively addressed inquiries, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
Conducted thorough store evaluations post-floor set, capturing images for review by the corporate visual team. Acted upon feedback promptly, making necessary adjustments to enhance store aesthetics and customer appeal.
Levi Strauss & Co. - Bloomington, Minnesota January 2018-August 2021
Assistant Manager
Managed a dynamic team of 12-15 staff members, fostering a positive and productive work environment while ensuring seamless operations and superior customer service.
Led the talent acquisition process, conducting interviews, making strategic hires, and providing comprehensive training to team members. Elevated the team's skillset and motivation, contributing to the store's overall success.
Maintained an unwavering commitment to visual excellence by meticulously setting up the store to current company standards each month, enhancing the brand's image and ensuring a compelling customer experience.
Efficiently delegated tasks among team members and closely monitored progress, proactively addressing inquiries and challenges. Fostered open communication and teamwork, ensuring tasks were completed effectively and efficiently.
Carters - Bloomington, Minnesota July 2015-August 2018
Assistant Manager
Drove operational excellence, implementing strategies that optimized customer experience and bolstered sales.
EDUCATION
Buffalo State College - Buffalo, New York
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Contact this candidate