MICHELE M. SIMPSON Chelsea, Alabama | t: 404.797.0260 | e: ms1163010@westpost.

net PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Best known for abilities in multi-unit retail store management, merchandising, b uilding markets, measurable goals and shrink reduction. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY District Manager 2002 - 2010 Ross Dress for Less (Alabama/Georgia) is a chain of American off-price clothing department stores. - Responsible for 11 stores with volume $60 Million, with consistent sales incre ases year-on-year by analyzing daily, weekly and monthly business results and vi sit stores to pursue ways to drive great performance levels. - Managed up to 21 stores between Alabama, Georgia and the Pan Handle. - Built markets by opening 14 stores between Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, res ulting in 20% increased volume. - Increased internal promotions to 42% management by building high performance t eams through recruiting, developing, coaching, retention and succession planning of top talent. - Ensured execution of all company merchandising and operational standards by po sitioning the company strategically, analyzing business metrics (sizing, custome r service, markdowns and hard tagging) and performing root cause analysis to max imize productivity to exceed the company objectives. - Achieved district business metrics and objectives for comparative sales 109%, profitability 29% vs. 26%, and shrink 1.29% vs. 1.67%, by establishing clear com munication, compelling vision for the team that inspires empowerment to meet and exceed the company objectives. - Ensured exceptional customer experiences through the effective implementation of the Manager on Duty program and collecting feedback from customers to increas e the results of 95% vs. 92% of the company objective, while creating a customer friendly environment. - Executed company merchandising and visual direction to positively impact sales and the customer experience, by ensuring that all stores have a trained merchan dise specialist to follow up daily on the company directives. - Worked closely with corporate business partners to capitalize on business oppo rtunities on various projects: low volume merchandising, new store manual, manag ement responsibility changes and effective scheduling. The results of these prog rams improved the stores productivity, control of payroll, better floor coverage , store cleanliness, customer service and sales increases. Co-Manager 2000 - 2002 Lane Bryant (Kennesaw, Georgia) is a retail women's clothing store focusing on p lus-size clothing. - Provided operational duties (customer service, merchandising, credit accounts, and store audits to impact the sales results of 4% increase. - Coordinated sales promotions and visual merchandising changes by ensuring the company directive for merchandise and sign placement was accurate at all times f or our customers. - Achieved shrink reduction from 4% to 2% by training the staff on great custome r service, consistent follow up on isolated areas of the store and proper mercha ndise security. - Conducted managerial responsibilities by analyzing daily, weekly, and monthly business results to ensure objectives were achieved and communicating to the tea m.

District Manager 1999 - 2000 TotesISOTONER (Atlanta, Georgia) is an international umbrella, footwear, and col d weather accessory supplier. - Provided management of all sales, merchandising, and operations of 10 location s (including Georgia and South Carolina) by controlling budgets, supervising sal es, training and developing management teams, monitoring inventory, merchandisin g and setting operational standards to company standards. - Coordinated stores opening, closing and relocation for the outlet stores by co llaborating with the corporate office on deadlines, staffing decisions and merch andise set up and consolidations to stay inline with company lease agreements. - Performed human resources management by recruiting, hiring, and developing tal ent for outlet stores, evaluating employee annual performances, and terminations for poor performance or violations. SKILLS PROFILE - Office Tools:Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - Other: Sales, budget control, operations, supervision, training and developmen t, merchandising, inventory control, project management, recruiting, performance evaluation, position termination, shrink reduction, multi-unit retail store man agement, human resources, deliver measurable results. EDUCATION Associate's Degree of Arts in Interior Design Certificate of completion for Cosmetology Relocatable and references available