VICTORIA L.

GIRARD
2109 East Lawrence Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016
* 602.265.2955 (H) * 602.689.7524 (C)
Team Leader / Marketing Manager
Market Analysis / Turnaround Management / Profit Optimization
Territory Expansion / National Retail Operations / Revenue Growth /Customer S
ervice Excellence
Profit-driven manager leveraging talents in directing successful merchandising,
staff supervision, and operations for multimillion-dollar national retail chains
to lead marketing and advertising initiatives. Highly skilled in analyzing mark
et trends, crafting innovative promotional campaigns, positioning retail product
s to move, and driving brand awareness and customer traffic to increase sales an
d profit margins. Excellent planning, organizational, and project implementation
capabilities, with extensive experience coordinating multiple tasks, while hold
ing full P&L accountability. Solid leadership, team building, training, and staf
f development abilities to ensure consistent top performance and advancement.
Marketing and Management Strengths:
* Strategic Program Planning & Implementation
* Market Analysis & Strategies
* Marketing & Promotional Initiatives
* Sales Promotions / Campaigns
* Visual Merchandising / Product Display
* Customer Acquisition / Relations
* P&L Accountability / Budget Administration
* Quality Customer Service
* Staff Training & Development Programs
* Recruiting, Team Building & Leadership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
COST PLUS WORLD MARKET - Phoenix, AZ
District Manager (2000 to 2009)
Provided leadership and oversight in all aspects of merchandising and sales to e
nsure profitability for leading specialty retailer of casual home living and ent
ertaining products with 296 stores in 33 states.
Charged with directing day-to-day operations, logistics, and visual merchandisin
g in four different districts, throughout New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona and Cr
afted strategic business plans and budgets, with full P&L accountability, to mee
t business objectives and sales goals with annual revenues running between $59-7
2MM. Analyzed market trends, forecasted selling trends, developed and implemente
d marketing initiatives, sales programs, and merchandising strategies to optimiz
e store layout, drive traffic, and fuel district sales. Hired, trained, led, and
developed team of as many as 16 General Managers. Ultimately responsible for, a
nd motivated as many as 300 employees to improve individual and store performanc
e, ensuring excellent customer experience and service. Monitored and tracked sto
re performance, reporting periodically to senior management.
* Set record as only District Manager to exceed sales targets four years in a r
ow, FY 2000 through FY 2004.
* Spearheaded Arizona marketing plan, partnering with local TV station to scrip
t and produce spots with tips on gift giving and entertaining for morning show p
rogram during third and fourth quarters to promote brand awareness, build custom
er traffic, and raise sales.
* Turned around underperforming Las Vegas market within first year, generating
positive 12% sales from a former negative 10-12% to support growth for opening a
third store.
* Led poorly producing, logistically and visually challenged Santa Fe location
from losses averaging between 12-20% to a positive 15% with Albuquerque store ac
hieving $9.5MM in sales volume to place second companywide and supporting launch
of a second store in Albuquerque.
* Achieved lowest General Manager turnover rate companywide in FY 2005 and FY 2
006.
* Conducted leadership seminars across all management hierarchies to establish
well-trained team prepared for advancement.
Store Manager / Assistant Manager (1994 to 2000)
Rapidly promoted within five months of hire to manage daily operations in four P
hoenix area stores with sales ranging from $2.2MM to $5.8MM annually. Hired, tra
ined, and developed all staff in each location and orchestrated all aspects of o
pening new store. Applied merchandising, sales, leadership, and management exper
tise to meet and surpass budget and profitability targets at all locations. Coll
aborated with inventory analysts to evaluate market and departmental selling tre
nds for each store and establish models for optimum product mix. Contributed to
corporate committees on restructuring of customer service and HR guidelines.
* Created and implemented more efficient procedures for receiving all direct st
ore orders that has since been instituted as company policy.
* Triggered increase in sales revenues between 6-18% at each of the existing fo
ur locations and surpassed sales target at new location by an average of 20% wit
hin the first year.
* Conceptualized and introduced innovative training strategy for new employees
that was adopted in 1998 and continues to be updated and used as primary trainin
g tool throughout company.
* Successfully mentored and developed four assistant managers to become store m
anagers over five year period.
WHOLE FOODS MARKET - San Antonio, TX
Gourmet Department Buyer / Team Leader (1993 to 1994)
Designed, opened, and managed wine and gourmet department for new location of wo
rld's largest retailer of natural and organic foods, with stores throughout Nort
h America and the United Kingdom.
Rapidly accelerated sales of extensively stocked wine department during opening
months; subsequently promoted to Team Lead position. Supervised staff of seven,
collaborating on all buying decisions for cheese, beer, wine, chocolates, and al
l gourmet items. Triggered increased departmental sales by organizing and delive
ring series of educational tastings on pairing and matching foods and wines.
* Achieved and surpassed weekly target margins with wine sales exceeding all st
ores nationwide within first four months.
* Presented analysis and recommendations on buying and setting for future store
openings to President/CEO.
WOODSTOCK FARMER'S MARKET - Woodstock, VT
Director of Operations / Vice President of Board of Directors (1990 to 1993)
Developed concept and started up highly profitable, independently-owned gourmet
specialty market in upscale Vermont community. (www.woodstockfarmersmarket.com)
Conducted all industry and market research and devised strategic media and adver
tising campaigns to launch "top-of-the-line" marketing theme. Hired and supervis
ed staff, including two Culinary Institute chefs to oversee prepared food operat
ion, as well as market clerks and horticulturist. Inventoried over 300 grocery i
tems, featured fresh produce, seafood, bakery and prepared foods, as well as loc
al produce and game such as venison, quail, turkey, and free range chicken when
available. Oversaw large seasonal greenhouse operation. Consulted and negotiated
with suppliers on shipping, delivery, and best pricing.
** Additional experience as Beverage Director for Ritz Carlton Hotel Company.**
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Science in International Agricultural Business
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - Tempe, AZ
Dean's List Senior Year
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Studies
University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, MN