LISA LASKE

8748 South Beck Place, Hometown, Illinois 60456

Telephone: (708) 296-0053
Email: ll616e28@westpost.net

QUALIFICATIONS PROFILE

More than five years of progressive management

experience delivering the highest levels of sales growth,
profitability and staff performance within the highly
competitive retail industry. Proven track record of
bottom-line success in developing employee talent,
improving store performance and controlling expenses.
Core competencies include:
> Forecasting & Inventory Management
> Staff Training & Leadership Development
> Merchandising & Sales Planning
> Sales, P&L and Shrinkage Improvement
> Store-Wide Productivity Improvement
> Creative Promotions & Marketing
> Organizational Development
> Cost, Quality & Customer Service Controls

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

GENERAL NUTRITION CENTERS, Chicago Ridge Mall: Chicago Ridge, IL

5/2009 to Present
Store Manager
Oversee and direct all operations of a nutrition and
fitness product retail store. Scope of responsibility
includes staffing, sales, inventory control, cost control,
merchandising and customer service.
* Coordinate proper set-up of store displays, signage
and shelving plans for normal, preferred and promotional
merchandise; manage all product receiving and vendor
relations.
* Hire, train and schedule sales associates with an
emphasis on customer service; provide employee
education in product knowledge and assessment of
customer fitness/nutritional goals.
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY, Melrose Park, Illinois
10/2008 to 5/2009
Store Manager
Provided leadership and direction for a team of 16
partners and five shift supervisors in all front and back-
of-house operations at one of the Chicago suburbs'
highest volume locations. Responsible for effectively
implementing plans to drive store sales, minimize
shrinkage and improve customer service while managing
staff schedules (labor) and store inventory to maximize
profitability.
* Hired and trained a top-performing team; conducted
store meetings, provided promotional training and
ensured high levels of customer service to achieve high
secret shopper scores.
* Analyzed stock levels and customer buying trends,
forecasted upcoming needs and placed orders to
maintain optimum inventory levels.
* Oversaw all monetary transactions and records
between the store and the bank; made hourly cash
drops, managed the store safe and prepared bank
deposits.

THE VITAMIN SHOPPE

1/2003 to 9/2008
Store Manager (Burbank, Illinois: 2008 *nine months)
Promoted through progressively responsible
management positions, including hand-picked
assignments to transform struggling locations into
profitable business units. Transferred to Burbank store
in January 2008 to effect an aggressive turnaround in
sales volume and staff performance.
* Full P&L responsibility for all sales goals, loss
prevention, inventory planning, merchandising, product
receiving, labor controls and promotional implementation.
* Coordinated staff schedules and managed store budget
to ensure full staffing; made adjustments according to
business volume without sacrificing quality of customer
service.
Highlights:
>> Developed and implemented sales plans that achieved
129% of sales goals and lowered shrinkage from 2.8% to
0.6%.
>> Rolled out several process improvements that
increased employee retention, service levels and morale.
>> Hired and developed a new Assistant Manager into the
company's next Store Manager.

Store Manager (Lincoln Park, Illinois: 2005-2007)

Assigned to the company's under-performing flagship
store in 2005 and charged with improving performance
to company standards. Responsible for overseeing all
sales, staffing and merchandising with an emphasis on
cost controls, customer service and employee retention.
* Scheduled and trained two assistant managers and
eight sales associates; utilized strong leadership skills to
drive continuous performance improvements.
* Coordinated marketing, sales and special event
planning for the upstairs conference room.
Highlights:
>> Increased store sales from $1.4 million to $1.7 million
(35.5% growth) by implementing an aggressive product
knowledge, sales and customer service training program.
>> Instrumental in launching the pilot Organic Foods
department; engaged in product research, vendor
selection and development of marketing and
merchandising strategies.
>> Improved store sales to more than $2 million within
two years while reducing store shrinkage from 4.5% to
0.5%.

Store Manager (Oak Brook, Illinois: 2005 *four months)

Supervised a team of assistant managers and sales
associates in first position as Store Manager.
Spearheaded local marketing campaigns and community
events, including cross-promotions with health clubs,
wellness centers and chiropractors along with the
Oakbrook Terrace Business Expo.
Highlights:
>> Keynoted for securing a feature business article with
a local newspaper.

Assistant Manager (Orland Park, Illinois: 2003-2005)

Managed all shift operations with oversight of four sales
associates at a time. Provided ongoing staff training
and guidance while controlling inventory, stock rotation,
shrinkage and customer service. Fast-track promotion
from Sales Associate.
Highlights:
>> Implemented new product receiving procedures and
rotation schedules - procedures were rolled out district-
wide; responsible for training the District Manager in new
procedures.

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

Production / Server - Cosi Restaurant - Orland Park,

Illinois, 2002 to 2003
Production / Assembler - Panduit Corporation - Orland
Park, Illinois, 2000 to 2001
Graphic Arts Assistant - Cadore Miller Printing Company
- Hickory Hills, Illinois, 1996 to 1999
Manager - Pizza Plus - Hometown, Illinois, 1987 to 1996