LORD AND TAYLOR, a division of the May Department Stores Company (1980-2003)
DIVISIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, (1993-2003)New York, NY
Supervision and direct P&L responsibility for all non-merchandise revenue centers, including 12 restaurants, 86 alterations workrooms, 7 beauty salons, 3 photo studio special events and planning and development of 5 fur salons. Continually expanding responsibilities including overall divisional general management, hands-on strategic planning and execution, customer service development, personnel management, operations, and divisional purchasing. Developed and conducted staff and executive training. Serve as liaison and conduct contract negotiations with third party beauty salon, fur salon, and photo studio operators.
* Upgraded food quality and menu content while significantly reducing expenses, improving restaurant sales volume by 12% and achieving profitability of 14% of sales.
* Exceeded rising profitability targets by 3-9% in each of 7 years.
* Planned and successfully opened 4 new restaurants and 22 alterations workrooms.
* Automated labor forecasting and productivity tracking reducing alterations expense by 26%($2.5 million) while maintaining high customer service standards.
* Developed alterations customer feedback system including tracking and response methodology, achieving a 90.1% customer satisfaction rating.
* Designed all divisional training materials and standard procedures.
* Initiated event driven photo partnership with the Picture People, a division of Hallmark.
DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING AND SUPPORT SERVICES, (1989-1993)New York, NY
Personally responsible for purchasing and distribution of all non-merchandise commodities annually totaling $25 million, supervised operation of in-house print shop, mailroom, and managed fulfillment of stocked item orders for stores and central headquarters.
* Redesigned packaging program, levering competitive bids to reduce expenses by 30%($7 million).
* Involved in 15 new store openings including developing new-store order package.
* Achieved total turnaround of departmental credibility through a culture of “we deliver”.
* Streamlined usage tracking, implemented automated order and invoice processing.
* Standardized stocking methodology and automated store orders.
* Consolidated 51% of forms eliminating duplication of effort.
PROFIT IMPROVEMENT COORDINATOR, (1987-1989)New York, NY
Created this new position, reporting to the President, COO, responsible for financial analysis, benchmarking operations against other retailers, proposing, developing and implementing cost savings strategies through establishing teamwork among all levels of management.
* Implemented $13 million in annual cost savings through developing projects in such diverse areas as credit, financial planning, facilities, and warehousing.
* Established credibility and benefits as first incumbent of position, function expanded to four individuals upon promotion.
* Coordinated activities between divisions of Lord and Taylor and across May divisions.
* Obtained $5 million in corporate funding by presenting savings ROI analysis.
OPERATIONS MANAGER, (1984-1987)Washington, DC
OPERATIONS MANAGER, (1982-1984)Ridgewood, NJ
OPERATIONS MANAGER, (1982)Millburn, NJ
Solely responsible as senior operational executive for all non-merchandising functions of these anchor stores including: customer service, budgeting, staffing and scheduling, supply ordering, merchandise processing and stocking, conducting semi-annual inventories and overseeing human resources, housekeeping and security. Fully accountable, in partnership with General Merchandise Manager, for achieving store level financial results.
* Consistently promoted to larger volume locations, culminating in second largest branch store before promotion to corporate position.
* Called in often as troubleshooter to turnaround under performing operations.
* Developed and implemented policies, procedures and training programs which significantly reduced inventory shrinkage.
* Built strong operations teams through effective recruiting and training.
FLOOR MANAGER, (1979-1982)New York, NY
Responsible for operation of multiple floors at the flagship store, maintaining supplies, scheduling and conducting training to achieve appropriate customer service and staffing levels.
TEACHER, THE CHAPIN SCHOOL, NY, NY (1977-1979)New York, NY
Taught science at lower and middle school level, developed botany elective for upper school science students, coordinated greenhouse activities and related community outreach.
EDUCATION
1977, B.S. Botany, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
Dimensional Management Training
MEMBERSHIPS
Member National Restaurant Association
Member IACDE Retail Council
Montclair Parent Teacher Association Treasurer, Executive Secretary
Member of Montclair High School Redesign Committee
SKILLS
Conversational Spanish, Dutch, Excel, Word and other standard office PC applications |
