Office Manager/Executive Assistant

Dennis Pawlewicz * Columnberry Court

The Woodlands, Texas 77384 Home: 936-***-****

Cell: 936-***-**** ******.******@*****.***

Available for Relocation

ACCOMPLISHED DISTRICT MANAGER

Dynamic, award-winning, and results-proven DM, TM, and Store Manager, with documented success leading districts and stores to pace-setting, company-leading results in sales, shrink, profit, and service categories. Extensive experience in multi-unit retail operations, DSD, hard-lines experience, Big-Box management, new store setups/remodels, and merchandising/ sales/inventory. Solid background in all aspects of retail operations reinforced by a special talent for leading the turnaround of under-performing units. Accustomed to high levels of responsibility; have served as DM for over 300+ employees and up to 26 stores generating over $34M in annual sales. Expert builder, motivator, and developer of high-performance teams and organizations. Able to coach best practices and instill a shared, enthusiastic commitment to optimal customer service as a key driver in profit goal attainment. Goal-oriented and driven; thrive in fast-paced, competitive environments.

Key Skills

 Multi-Site Retail Store Operations

 Shrink Reduction/Loss Control

 Sales & Margin Improvement  Team Building/Training/Supervision

 Startup & Turnaround Management

 Merchandising & Plan-O-Grams  P&L/Budgetary Management

 Inventory & Cost Control

 Customer & Employee Retention

Professional Experience

Michaels Stores – Houston, TX – National Arts & Crafts Specialty Retailer 02/09-12/09

District Manager

Held full fiscal and operational responsibility for one of the most environmentally challenged districts in the SE Zone, comprised of 11 stores across Houston & the Rio Grande Valley generating over $34M in annual sales. Oversaw a cross-functional management and hourly team of 300+ employees and ensured all store, staff, merchandising, customer service, budgeting, and sales expectations, standards, processes, and procedures were fully aligned with corporate mandates.

Key Accomplishments:

 Led the turnaround of a district that was 16% behind custom framing sales plan upon assignment to the district in April 2009. Took corrective actions to address under-performing frame shops and achieved 5.2% comp sales within four months. Initiated outside marketing programs to increase market share.

 Provided similar change-agent leadership to improve custom floral sales by 50 basis points with improved inventory selection, price point and value within each market.

 Coached, developed, and promoted one internal assistant manager to position of store manager and hired three external store managers to replace existing under-performers.

 Co-created with Zone HR Director new “On Boarding Guidelines” designed to reduce turnover, scheduling conflicts and staffing gaps.

 Piloted new sales building programs designed to increase average unit retail by 15% through improved customer interaction, inspired competitive mentality to exceed sales plan, and delivered results above the Zone expectations.

 Achieved improved levels of morale through quality visitations, increased interaction with rank and file team, instilled an “Approachable” mentality with key members of management, and delivered a “Teach before preach” management style that fostered a team building environment.

CVS/Caremark – Katy, Sugar Land, Brazoria County, TX– Nationwide Leader in HBA/Pharmacy 01/07-02/09

District Manager

Recruited to CVS to elevate the operational levels of the “Eckerd based stores” to meet CVS core standards. Held full fiscal and operational responsibility for 18 stores that generated total store revenue of $104M in annual sales. Drove sales and improved profitability, ensured that all stores met company standards in regards to appearance, customer service, in-stocks, DSD vendors, promotions, and adherence to company programs/budgets/payroll. Directly supervised 18 store managers and assistants, conducted interviewing, coaching/counseling, and motivation to peak performance.

Key Accomplishments:

 $473K improvements to the total front store shrink line resulting in 1.06% net shrink result. This was a 1.65% improvement over the prior fiscal year and ranked as the top 5 best in the chain.

 Received Regional recognition for best shrink, Extra Care enrollment and store brand sales. These results were driven through detailed execution on company programs, extensive follow-up and aggressive accountability.

 Implemented “Best Practice” for recognition programs. Created district ranking system designed to drive the top 6 company KPI’s. This resulted in a 22% improvement in Extra Care scanning, 150 basis point increase in store brands and 225 basis point improvement on sales reducing activities.

 Further distinguished the district through launch of sales driving “Grand Opening” programs at 2 new locations resulting in a 52.7 and 29.5% increase over planned budget. Achieved a 6.9% savings in payroll, beat RX script budget by 78.9% and received recognition from the Area VP.

 Selected to present to the region the 2007 “Ordinary Miracles” program rolled out to the chain at the CVS annual meeting. Coordinated the project with key field managers, co-created visual/audio segments, reached over 90% of the total region associates and achieved overwhelming support to the program.

GNC, Greensboro, NC – World’s Largest Retailer of Supplements and Vitamins 04/01- 12/06

Regional Sales Director- 26 stores in NC, TN & VA.

Held full operational, P&L, and physical responsibility for daily, multi-function operations consisting of nutritional products exceeding $8M in annual sales. Recruited, hired, trained, and supervised 100+ staff members, managed merchandising/inventory control functions, with accountability for meeting corporate budget, shrink, sales, and margin goals.

Key Accomplishments:

 Achieved “worst-to-first” turnaround of shrink-riddled stores through improved attention to replenishment, quality hiring and training, first class customer service and adherence to company shrink SOP’s.

 Established outside marketing programs designed to increase customer base through establishing business partnerships with local health organizations, educating local school athletes on nutritional benefits, increased sampling events and creating “Better Health” programs for local employers to increase productivity.

 Improved hiring practices that resulted in a 48% reduction in P/T staff turnover. This was accomplished through a better applicant pool from the district designed recruiting tips, compliance to training program completion and mandatory observed selling/role playing designed to sharpen all team members selling skills.

 Created district “Best Practice Selling Tips” program from team members exceeding company goals for each KPI. Staff members achieved 5-7% improvements within the first selling period.

 Placed first in annual company wide sales event within the division on private label sports nutrition for 4 years, improving monthly Gold Card sales week 5-7% for the sports nutrition category.

 Developed and promoted 5 Senior Store Managers & 9 internal store managers.

Michaels Stores, Ft. Lauderdale, FL- National Retailer of Arts & Crafts 09/96-04/01

Store Manager (Pembroke Pines) 1998 to 2001

Senior Store Manager 2000 to 2001 Store Manager (Davie) 1996 to 1998

District Training Store Manager 1999 to 2001

Rapidly advanced as the leader within the district for achieving best store standards, selected to open new store in Pembroke Pines, developed 2 assistants to store managers, 3 department managers to assistants, maintained 8-12% increase in comp sales, achieved full bonus each year, developed outside marketing programs to increase custom floral/framing sales and was selected to frame 500 units for the Super Bowl Committee.

Office Depot, South Florida- National retailer of office supplies and printing services 08/92-09/96

Assistant Manager (Davie) 1992-1993 Store Manager (N. Miami) 1993-1996

Transformed environmentally challenged $10M North Miami location into core standards within the first 90 days. Re-established company operational procedures, re-trained existing team, replaced under-performers, elevated customer service levels above the district average, sustained 7-9% sales comp growth each year and achieved shrink budget.

Training & Professional Development

Specialized Training: Union Avoidance 1986, 1994, 1998, 2007, 2009. Train the Trainer 2000. Coaching and Counseling Skills 1995

Education: Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY. Retail Management

Technology: MS Office (Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint), Windows 7/Vista/XP/ME/98/95, POS systems

Website: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dennis-pawlewicz/18/564/a99

Contact this candidate