John (Jack) Blethroad

• As assistant manager, I am responsible for storewide performance, including sales, credit, rewards, set execution/store environment, specialty divisions (jewelry, fine jewelry, custom window, salon, beauty, optical and portrait), and oversee store operations.
• Overseeing the most successful store in the region, and taking measures to continue the stores success, and exceeding credit goals
• My role is to train, work alongside, and empower our department supervisors to reach their potential and motivate their respective teams/direct reports to achieve key store metrics and company goals and initiatives.
• As my role is focused specifically on merchandising and operations, I have a very hands-on part to play in weekly ad signing, storewide visuals, truck deliveries, markdowns, recovery, and inventory management.
• I work directly with the general manager and our HR supervisor to ensure scheduling and staffing meet our demands (which shift in time and priority from week to week), fit within budget, and utilize our resources in the most efficient way possible.
• Another key part of my job is holding each area accountable to specific company goals for events, promotions, and daily sales targets. For example, training beauty consultants on how to perform services on customers during events like our lash event, skincare events, etc. Fine jewelry, our highest-grossing and most profitable division, is another focus making sure the team meets sales goals, protection plan goals, and is using the Keep-in-touch books to contact loyal repeat customers to book appointments for upcoming events.

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• Responsible for the first floor of the store including women’s apparel, intimate apparel, sleepwear, handbags, fashion accessories, hosiery, and seasonal
• While this role focuses on women’s apparel, it often involves being the manager on duty of the whole store, including men’s, kid’s, jewelry, fulfillment, home, and mattresses
• Manage a team of merchandising and recovery associates responsible for replenishment and department maintenance
• I took this job to allow myself to focus primarily on completing my MBA during a one year accelerated program.

• Responsible for running a top 20 high volume Kmart store in the DC area
• Lead a team of 80 associates with a back to basics approach emphasizing training and execution of core processes.
• Manage the EBITDA and shrink of the unit, striving for wins like our 2019 cycle inventory with a 200k favorable result over LY.
• Transferred to Silver Spring, a similar volume area location in March 2020 after Hyattsville liquidated as part of a significant field downsizing
• Focus on inventory management and store-specific space planning to maintain shoppable and appealing presentation, particularly for departments/categories drastically reduced or eliminated chain-wide
• Adjust payroll and store budgets weekly to react to changing business circumstances such as Covid-19 and vendor/merchandise accessibility

• Completed the Store Manager Training Program in Racine, WI
• Finished top of class at the spring store manager academy
• Placed in Kenosha, WI temporarily to cover a manager’s leave

• Help manage the operations and sales/profit goals for a 86,000 square-foot Kmart store
• Coach, mentor, and lead a staff of 30-60 associates accountable for training, discipline, and task assignment.
• Coach associates on front end operations, important metrics and customer (member) engagement, merchandising, signing, pricing, and integrated retail (online orders, leases and layaway).
• Manage inventory and cash to optimize sales and minimize shrink, with an emphasis on “selling what we own,” creating a gap-free, in-stock look that is shoppable and visually appealing.
• Drive profitable sales by ordering/featuring high margin, top-selling, and locally relevant merchandise.