Sales Manager

DONNA PACZKOWSKI

**** ********* **** ***** #** • Plymouth, Minnesota 55446

612-***-**** • *****.**********@*****.***

REGIONAL / DISTRICT RETAIL MANAGEMENT

Senior-level retail management strategist with a superb track record for achieving ambitious corporate objectives. Excellent problem solver with proven leadership and mentoring abilities with the demonstrated ability to maximize staff morale and performance. Advanced expertise in merchandising, inventory management, and shrink control. More than 14 years of experience complemented by a bachelor’s degree in business.

Strategic Planning • Retail Operations • Operations Management • Territory Management

P&L Accountability • Budgets • Pricing • Team Leadership • Vendor Relations • Branding

Market Analysis • Inventory Management • Merchandising • Shrink Control

Recruitment • Staff Development • Coaching • Team Building

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WINMARK CORPORATION, Minneapolis, Minnesota • 2000 – 2012

Franchise comprised of 4 retail brands and 800 locations.

Field Operations Manager

Commanded operations and strategic direction of a key territory comprised of 38 franchise locations of Play It Again Sports brand. Devised and implemented growth plans to achieve sales goals. Performed financial analysis, developed merchandising plans, and adjusted pricing levels. Built and led a top-performing team, administered training. Conducted on-site visits to assess operational performance and presided over regional meetings. Collaborated with marketing team to devise effective branding campaigns.

• Ranked #1 for the number of new store launches in 2011, and led the opening of 8 new stores in 2 years.

• Bolstered sales by 15% within 3 years and expanded margins from 49% to 52%.

• Played a key role in projected 50% growth for Q4 2012, delivering a 25% increase in used merchandise sales and a 75% increase in used merchandise acquisition.

• Innovated Gold Standards program to implement best practices and raise quality standards.

• Led region containing Store of the Year recipients for 2 years in a row.

JCPENNEY CORPORATION, Minneapolis, Minnesota • 1998 – 2000

Major department store with 1000+ locations across the United States.

Senior Merchandise Manager

Oversaw merchandising strategy development and implementation across multiple business segments including junior apparel, women’s accessories, lingerie, cosmetics, and jewelry departments. Orchestrated and mentored a top-performing team of 60 associates and 3 assistant managers. Drove inventory activities and liaised with third-party vendors and sales representatives. Created assortment plans, managed budgets, and generated sales estimates. Coordinated display setups and relocations, and oversaw development of weekly event materials. Performed trend analysis and reporting, and executed markdown processes. Conducted onsite competitor visits.

• Achieved shrink rate of less than 1%, far surpassing industry standard of 3%.

• Launched a successful focus group by forging a strategic partnership with Hennepin Technical College to utilize fashion merchandising students for market research.

• Drove product purchasing activities totaling $4M across multiple departments to achieve sales objectives.

• Improved staff retention through effective mentoring and coaching.

• Earned numerous district honors, including the Top Million Dollar Jewelry Department and Top Catalog Referral Department.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Business • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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