Catherine R. Gilman

** ****** *****, ******, ** *1241

Telephone: 309-***-****

Email: zukjqc@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE

I am seeking a store management position to utilize over thirty years of successful sales, operations and leadership experience in diverse business environments. I am highly motivated, organized and resourceful; outgoing and energetic and am looking for an opportunity to thrive in a fast paced environment.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts – Board of Trustee – May 2004

Western Illinois University – Macomb, Illinois

Major: Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Merchandise Coordinator- Winston Retail Services-San Francisco, CA – 2010-present

• Client liaison with retailers ensuring compelling, accurate, and creative visual presentation.

• Completion of standard/specialized reports highlighting any opportunities for improvement and training Sales Associates/Specialists/Department and Visual Managers on client merchandising initiatives and brand recognition.

• Independent contractor that receives assignments updates and brand knowledge on internal Winston Retail Service web site. Brand knowledge, reporting, invoicing, and assignment completion are all completed through the Winston Retail Services web site.

• Assistant Manager, Merchandising – Burlington Coat Factory – Bettendorf, IA – 2009-2010

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of all sales departments.

• Executed merchandising plans, maintained inventory levels, oversaw markdown compliance, controlled expenses and payroll budgets.

• Assisted in hiring, training, coaching and development of Area/Department Mangers and Associates in execution of daily tasks.

• Coordinated sales promotions, oversaw floor moves, merchandise displays and presentations.

• Maximize sales and measure sales performance on a daily basis by reference to class sales reports from year prior.

Sales Manager – Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (Younkers) – Davenport, IA – 2005-2010

• Co-managed a 12 million dollar store through the M.O. D. program. Responsible for increasing profits and controlling revenue. Manage daily operations of entire store while micro managing areas of responsibility.

• Successfully managed sales associates in all ready-to-wear, children and outerwear departments to achieve an annual sales goal of 3.7 million.

• Provide excellent leadership to sales associates through analyzing and meeting customer needs and negotiating positive solutions to build solid, long-term client relationships and problem solving to achieve win-win solutions using positive interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ensure training is received in a timely and effective manner of all new hires in my departments and the store and provide support to maximize retention.

Sales Associate and Sales Manager in Training – Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (Younkers) – Davenport, IA – 2003- 2005

• Trained with Assistant Store Manager on all aspects of management: operations, human resources, store budget and resource/project management.

• Supported management in the daily operations of the business.

• Directed and prioritized workload for sales associates, maintained store standards, ensuring replenishment and recovery where accurate and complete and coached sales staff to reach sales quota’s and company objectives.

Regional Manger & Manager – Goodwill Industries – Iowa City, IA –1999 –2001

• Oversaw and coordinated all retail operations of the four stores in east region.

• Assisted mangers in analyzing, monitoring, and controlling store expenses to ensure efficiency in all areas of store operations.

• Developed and promoted successful management teams through strong interpersonal skills and solid energetic work values.

• Lead the east region to consistently achieve and exceed sales quotas assigned by the Director of Retail Operations.

Sales Associate – Z Galleries – Schaumburg, IL – 1997-1998

• Became one of the top sales associates in three months and surpassed sales expectations by acquiring great depth in product knowledge and building a professional working relationship with clients and corporate contacts.

• Trained with store management on front-end and back-end operations and merchandising techniques.

• Responsible for following through on customer orders and delivery dates to ensure customer satisfaction according to company standards.

Operations Manager – Express, Limited Corporation – Aurora, IL – 1994-1997

• Assisted management in all aspects of store operations

• Monitor the accuracy of receiving, transfers, debits/damages and RTV’s.

• Assisted in the recruitment and hiring of the most qualified applicants to meet store needs.

• Ensured that daily freight was completed and ready for floor according to company gu