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CHERYL S. KOWALSKI
• Naperville, Illinois 60564
• Cherylk0329@yahoo.com
www.linkedin.com/pub/cherylkowalski/10/98b/410
630-200-0215 for contact informantion.
Visual Display Merchandiser/Results Driven Manager


Summary
Innovative and strong Visual Display Manager whose strengths in creative floor planning, merchandising and training has increased revenues 25%- 40% over a 6-year period for my employer. Sales, Design experience to assist sales team in customer satisfaction.

 Situation: poor showroom presence, lack of interest, lack of communication
 Task; creatively gain footage to add merchandise, increase accessory sales, and spark interest. Enhance customers shopping experience. Ignite customer spark.
 Achievement: rebuilt team morale, optimized space, better track flow, more product
 Results: sales gains of 25%-50, enjoyable work environment, effective team support.

Achievements & Results
Increased sales consistently by re-establishing space to increase productivity gaining visibility, square footage and better traffic direction and merchandise flow daily. Initiated sweeping changes turning more products into sales increasing presentations. (Wickes Furniture & La-z-boy-up to 18 showrooms)

Demonstrated high level energy while motivating and inspiring a more productive team support to complete projects on time and under pressure. Turning around poor attitudes and directing start ups.

Implemented new concept from selling mostly chairs to complete room vignettes generating higher ticket sales ranging from approx $5M to $20M yearly sales depending on showroom. (La-Z-Boy)

Analyzing of reports daily to determine item placement for weekly floor plans producing more sales by approx 25%. ( Wickes Furniture)

Saved inventory shrinkage and loss prevention resulting in a higher profit margin, finding error to save approx 30% to 50% inventory loss by effectively hunting down merchandise and locating SKU’s on the inventory missing status report. (Wickes Furniture) Inventory and P& L report management.

Increased revenues over a 6-year period approx 20%-50% by creating and executing floor plans for better traffic and merchandise flow. Pro-actively have a sense of urgency to improve execution and business results on a store to store basis ( Wickes) Four store Visual Manager.

Communicating effectively at all levels of organization to determine best strategies for increasing volume and sales, optimizing space and monitoring merchandise turnover ranking my stores in top 10% ranking. Working closely with top management creating empowerment and ownership of team and integrity. Gathering customer and staff feedback to offer to buying team to further demographic stores

Developed catalog for store distribution outlining floor plans, total package presentation resulting in management ownership of showroom, more interaction & communication cutting time down by 50%(LZB)


Professional Experience
La-z-boy Furniture Galleries, Bolingbrook, IL. 2008-2009
Design Sales Consultant
• Built rapport with clients by determining wants and needs leading to sales and referral business
• Generate creative lead gathering techniques. Sending out response letters to generate business.
• Generating $10,000 in sales within 2nd month by determining wants and needs of client.
• Provided excellent customer service for placing orders, arranging delivery, depositing payment and coordinating floor schematics.

Ashley Home Furniture, Bolingbrook, IL. 2008-2008
Visual Merchandiser Inventory Management
• Manage new merchandise implementation and monitor new sales. Sales increases of up to 25%
• Monitored floor daily for merchandise changes and updates and create signage for appropriate presentation.
• Develop impact presentations to enhance customer interest encouraging sales.

Walter E. Smith, Glendale Heights, IL 2008-2008
Merchandiser, Inventory Management
• Receive daily shipments and create various tags for immediate floor placement & sales.
• Create eye-appealing displays and inspiring others to increase sales and add interest to floor presentation. Recognize by Mr. Mark Smithe on gorgeous Display Presentations.

Wickes Furniture, Multiple Locations 2000-2008
Visual Display Manager and Merchandiser-Corporate (up to 4 showrooms & 53,000 sq. feet)
• Took charge of all space planning for highest merchandise presentation possible.
• Provide multiple showroom presence and constant monitoring for communication of sales, concerns, merchandise receiving and damage control resulting in more productive team action..
• Schedule team ranging from 2-10 members for projects to be completed on time using Plan-O -Grams. Prepared beforehand to save time and save on budget.
• Demonstrated creative leadership abilities with high level of energy to coaching & train associates. Assessing associates potential to enhance and promote skills.
• Weekly merchandise movement to fresh up showroom and provide movement of under performing merchandise. Identifying areas of opportunity to support sales.
• Demonstrated leadership by evaluating and tackling personnel issues and getting problems solved including warehouse, organization tactics, and personality conflicts leading more productive team support.

La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, Chicago, Indiana and Wisconsin Area, 1990-1999
Regional Visual Coordinator, Assistant Buyer-Accessories, Sales, Serving on Corporate Board
Position created from Corporate based on performance, accomplishments and business expansion.
• Create and implement floor plans with Corporate Designer for best traffic and merchandise flow.
• Establish vendor contacts for accessory selection, receiving, distribution; negotiate terms & shipping. Create purchase orders, SKU’S. Process invoices. Adjust billing disputes & RTV’s, and VCB control. Executing business strategies and assortment plans.
• Monitor aged inventory monthly for best turnaround. Execute markdowns..
• Build and coordinate with fresh room vignettes to reflect accurate pricing correlations and appropriate design styles. Grew sales from Chairs to Room Settings.
• Facilitate time management up to 16 showrooms to address concerns and monitor staff for work performance and visual standards.
• Perform in-depth analysis and management of key categories identified by senior leadership including direct contact and negotiation with vendors and follow-through execution with designer.
• Coordinated inventory between 16 stores to effectively merchandise showrooms...
• Analyzed rate of sale monthly to ensure appropriate inventory distribution.
• Maintained open-to-buy parameters and profit margins for Home Accents. Budget ranging from approx.$50,000 and up depending sales & on new store set ups.

Professional Training
Harrington Institute of Architecture Design, La-Z-Boy Design Seminars

Awards
Employee of the Quarter 2006 for Visual East Coast in dedication and exemplary performance stated letter by CEO
Achieved above performance consistently 4 years on review from Regional Manager.
Volunteer Vogt Art Contribution Award
Recognized for over the top displays and “go to” person for store flips and training standards.

Professional Affiliations, Memberships
Association of Furniture Sales Professionals
Home Furnishings Industry Professionals
International Furniture Manufacturers
Suppliers Seeking Furniture Stores

Core Competencies
Problem-Solving • Decision Making • Leadership • Oral/Written Communications • Team Development • Performance & Productivity Improvement • Presentation Skills • Time Management • Coaching • Training • Budget • Team Player • Analytical • Deadlines • Working under pressure • Team Management • Prioritizing • Planning Strategies • Relationship Building • Customer Service • Eye to detail • Plan-o-grams • Reset/set margin • Shop competition • floor sets • inventory turnover s • analytical skills • negotiations • retail-related selling/operating environment • buying •
Computer/Software Skills: Windows XP • Microsoft Office & /Doc. (Excel training • Word • PowerPoint) • Internet Researching • Outlook Express
Enpower team Relationship building Pro-active Customer Service Solution based selling Leverage customer feedback on behalf of product Sales driven Floor planning

 
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