career objective                              

multilingual manager eager to contribute sharp business acumen, supplier negotiation background, and team leadership skills toward supporting the employer in optimizing operational and financial performance

profile                                                

ø  offer numerous years of progressive upscale retail apparel experience, with expertise in purchasing, merchandizing, marketing, staff hiring and development, and operational management for diverse businesses ranging from boutiques to multi-unit stores

ø  facilitate a client-focused, service-oriented environment vital to maximizing customer satisfaction and retention; efficiently resolve escalated issues

ø  hire, train, and direct top-performing support teams; strategically plan and coordinate workflow and human resources for optimal coverage while containing labor costs

ø  proactively monitor industry trends and developments to identify and capitalize on opportunities to penetrate and develop highly competitive markets

ø  develop and implement innovative sourcing, project management, and supplier evaluation strategies resulting in superior levels of customer attraction, satisfaction, and retention

ø  dynamic communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills

ø  fluent in english, french, spanish, and arabic

 

~ key achievements ~

• successfully managed all aspects of operations for profitable women s clothing and accessory store with more than $1m in annual purchases and a loyal 5,000+ customer base; led store to continually produce 49% over forecasts
• conducted in-depth research to identify optimal store location and merchandise vendors for clothes for the soul; selected product mix, created floor layout, and developed merchandising plans
• through expert management of purchasing, promotions, operations, and client relations functions, drove armoire to achieve 35% in first year and 25% in second year over projected sales
• achieved projected year 5 sales during second year of operations at complexion rx, a start-up integrated skincare treatment business
• entrusted with managing h20+ western region ranked #1 in companywide volume and highest sales to ly with more than $950k in net profits from 1998 c 1999
• oversaw 15 sales associates, managed all buying duties, directed day-to-day operations, and grew $2m dapy/mca store to rank as the highest volume location out of 480 stores; directed city walk and attain 22% increase over ly, granted annual achievement award, and named to president s club and million dollar performer s circle

professional experience                

owner / operator, clothes for the soul, newport beach, ca                                                                         2005 c 2008

store manager, armoire, newport beach, ca                                                                                               2001 c 2005

director of stores, complexion rx, la jolla, ca                                                                                          1999 c 2001

regional manager, h20+, chicago, il                                                                                                          1998 c 1999

manager of clientele development, bloomingdale s, sherman oaks, ca                                                      1996 c 1998

training supervisor, dapy/mca, los angeles, ca                                                                                     1994 c 1996

beverly center store manager, inwear/matinique, los angeles, ca                                                               1992 c 1994

district director of customer service, cellular one, camarillo, ca                                                                1991 c 1992

education                                           

graduate studies in international relations, east carolina university, greenville, nc

bachelor of social science in international relations, with honors, birmingham university, birmingham, england