Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Rotary Award for Excellence in Volunteer Services Buffalo Grove Chapter.
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Cathy Novak

Buffalo Grove,Illinois

Summary

Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Buffalo Grove Park District, excelling in strategic planning and operational excellence. Cultivated partnerships and inspired innovation, enhancing team performance and accountability. Skilled in project management and employee relations, driving organizational success through effective communication and a commitment to integrity.

Experienced with strategic planning, operational management, and team leadership. Utilizes effective communication and decision-making skills to drive organizational success. Track record of fostering innovation and improving operational processes.

Overview

45
45
years of professional experience

Work History

President Friends of the Park Foundation

Buffalo Grove Park District
04.2018 - Current
  • Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
  • Established a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for results.
  • Monitored financial performance and implemented measures to enforce compliance with budgetary standards.
  • Inspired innovation by creating an environment that encouraged creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Assistant General Manager of Merchandising

The Great INdoors
09.2005 - 04.2010
  • Motivated, trained, and disciplined employees to maximize performance.
  • Collaborated with the General Manager on marketing initiatives to increase brand awareness and drive sales growth.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving concerns in a timely manner.
  • Oversaw inventory management processes to maintain proper stock levels and minimize spoilage or waste.
  • Mentored staff members, fostering a supportive work environment that enhanced employee performance and retention.
  • Managed team schedule with eye for coverage needs and individual strengths.
  • Assisted in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process for new employees to build a skilled workforce committed to excellence in service delivery.
  • Oversaw inventory by ordering precise quantities of stock and executing corrective actions to drive profitability.
  • Enhanced communication among team members through regular meetings, promoting an open dialogue about challenges and opportunities for improvement.
  • Developed and executed strategies to improve guest experience, resulting in positive customer reviews and increased repeat business.
  • Improved employee morale through recognition programs that acknowledged individual achievements and team successes.

Group Manager

Bloomingdales Old Orchard.
10.1995 - 08.2005
  • Optimized resource allocation by identifying underutilized assets and reallocating them effectively within the organization.
  • Identified areas of improvement through regular performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and coaching for team members.
  • Drove organizational change initiatives that resulted in streamlined operations, improved employee morale, and increased efficiencies throughout the group.
  • Ensured compliance with industry regulations and company policies, mitigating risks associated with non-compliance issues.
  • Championed a culture of continuous improvement within the department, encouraging innovation and creative problem-solving among staff members.
  • Implemented training programs to improve staff skillsets, enhancing overall productivity and job satisfaction.
  • Led cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget constraints.
  • Managed budgets for various projects, consistently meeting financial targets while maintaining high-quality output.
  • Coordinated closely with sales teams to execute marketing campaigns that generated new leads and boosted revenue growth rates year over year.
  • Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient workflow processes and prioritizing tasks.
  • Cultivated a supportive work environment by addressing employee concerns promptly and implementing policies that promoted work-life balance.
  • Collaborated with other group managers to develop best practices for operational efficiency across departments.
  • Supported staff with developing professional skills and abilities, uplifting team performance.
  • Trained new team members by relaying information on company procedures and safety requirements.
  • Attended staff development meetings and workshops and applied information from those events into daily activities.
  • Maintained clean and well-organized production areas to avoid violations or unnecessary work delays due to hazards or inefficient layouts.
  • Resolved conflict quickly to limit operational disruption and maintain positive, productive working environments.

Store Manager

Williams Sonoma Inc
10.1988 - 09.1995
  • Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
  • Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
  • Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
  • Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
  • Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
  • Improved customer satisfaction through staff training in customer service and product knowledge.
  • Maintained proper product levels and inventory controls for merchandise and organized backroom to facilitate effective ordering and stock rotation.
  • Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
  • Mentored new hires during their onboarding process, ensuring they were well-equipped to excel in their roles from day one.
  • Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
  • Maximized sales by creating innovative visual merchandising displays and store layouts.
  • Conducted regular performance reviews for staff members, providing constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
  • Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
  • Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
  • Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
  • Fostered a positive work environment by cultivating strong relationships between team members through team-building activities and consistent recognition of individual achievements.
  • Supervised guests at front counter, answering questions regarding products.
  • Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge, and service requirements.

Merchandising Team Lead

Crate and Barrel
09.1980 - 08.1988
  • Managed inventory for optimal product availability and turnover rates.
  • Optimized space allocation by conducting regular store walkthroughs and updating floor plans as needed.
  • Improved store appearance with effective merchandising strategies, driving customer satisfaction and repeat business.
  • Conducted competitive analysis to stay ahead of industry trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities within the market niche.
  • Streamlined communications between merchandising team members, resulting in improved collaboration and efficiency during projects.
  • Coordinated with marketing department to create cohesive branding messages within store displays and promotions.
  • Analyzed sales data and market trends to make informed decisions about product assortment and placement.
  • Led cross-functional teams in executing promotional events, resulting in increased customer engagement.
  • Ensured compliance with company guidelines for pricing, signage, and safety standards in all merchandising activities.
  • Implemented planograms to create consistent visual presentations across multiple store locations.
  • Enhanced customer experience by providing exceptional service while maintaining a well-organized sales floor environment.
  • Increased sales by developing visually appealing merchandise displays and layouts.

Education

Associate of Arts - Music Education

University Missouri Conservatory of Music
Kansas City, MO

Skills

  • Leadership team building
  • Staff training
  • Staff management
  • Innovation and creativity
  • Leadership and people development
  • Organizational leadership

Accomplishments

    Received Award of Excellence in Volunteer Service from Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove 2023.

    Best of the Best Award from Bloomingdale's New York

    Developed Cooking School Program for Williams Sonoma

Rotary Award for Excellence in Volunteer Services Buffalo Grove Chapter.

I  am a 23 year member of a Community Choral group BG Singers. Each year I plan fundraising events that give back to the community. In 2023, we sponsored a project for the Ukulele Kids Club. This is an international organization that supplies ukuleles to kids who are in the hospital. They work with Music Therapists who teach them how to pay and in turn get to take the instruments home. I coordinated a project with our Community to go to businesses. They would purchase a ukulele that would be handpainted by volunteer artists in the Community and then one would be donated to one of our local hospitals. You could shop around the community and see the stores with theirs on display and their contribution to the Community Project. 

WE raised 35,000.00 for this most worthwhile project.

Interests

  • Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
  • Baking- my own small business "& a glass of milk!" Special treats and sweets for special occasions
  • Participating in cooking contests and challenges to showcase culinary skills and creativity
  • Engaging in food photography and sharing culinary creations on social media
  • Participate in local theater productions, enhancing my public speaking and teamwork skills
  • 23 year member of a Community Chorus Buffalo Grove

Timeline

President Friends of the Park Foundation

Buffalo Grove Park District
04.2018 - Current

Assistant General Manager of Merchandising

The Great INdoors
09.2005 - 04.2010

Group Manager

Bloomingdales Old Orchard.
10.1995 - 08.2005

Store Manager

Williams Sonoma Inc
10.1988 - 09.1995

Merchandising Team Lead

Crate and Barrel
09.1980 - 08.1988

Associate of Arts - Music Education

University Missouri Conservatory of Music

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Cathy Novak