SARA SIMPSON
Chicago
Summary
Dynamic District Manager with a proven track record at Driveline Retail, excelling in strategic planning and team building. Achieved a 90% client retention rate while managing 125 merchandisers across three states. Expert in sales and marketing, driving significant revenue growth through effective project execution and cross-functional leadership.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
DRIVELINE RETAIL
05.2018 - Current
- Directly manages a team of 125 merchandisers across a 3-state region, ensuring 100% completion of projects within 24 business hours of the end date, and maintaining a 95% work quality standard.
- Cultivates comprehensive understanding of all active clients within district, achieving 90% knowledge retention rate.
- Aligns Project Merchandiser pay rates with district average, achieving 90% satisfaction rate among merchandisers.
- Nurtures and upholds solid partnerships with Driveline Retail Merchandising clients and store management, producing 97% client retention rate.
District Sales Manager
MARKET CONNECT GROUP
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Managed and trained 300 direct reports, achieving a 25% sales increase over last year.
- Collaborated with Director of Field Services to supervise Merchandisers and Brand Ambassadors, ensuring 100% project completion.
- Transformed an underperforming district by recruiting 200 new employees and terminating 60 underperformers, resulting in a 30% sales increase.
- Executed a successful merchandising strategy for menswear test, generating double-digit weekly increases and securing contract for J. Ferrar ties.
Sales/Marketing Manager
NLO NELSON LAW OFFICE
Chicago
01.2010 - 01.2017
- Managed $1.5M P&L while increasing sales from $500K to $1M through effective account management.
- Trained 4 support staff, achieving a 25% increase in conversion rates within 3 months.
- Designed and executed a client relations marketing campaign, resulting in 30% growth in sales and profit.
District Sales Manager
SOCIAL ONE/HIGHLIFE ADVENTURES
Chicago
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Mentored and promoted two District Trainers, five Managers, and four Assistant Managers.
- Opened four successful locations, exceeding sales goals by 25%.
- Increased sales from $5M to $12M, achieving top volume ranking in company.
- Surpassed regional and company sales plans from 2005 through 2009 through strategic hiring and coaching.
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Marketing
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL05.2015
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Team building
- Lean manufacturing
- Supply chain management
- Customer relationship management
- Inventory management
- Budgeting and cost control
- Process improvement
- Time management
- Cross-functional leadership
- Data analysis
- Sales and marketing
- Resource allocation
- Project planning
- Microsoft Office suite
Selected Highlights
- Visionary leader reputed for driving huge surges in revenue earnings, building world-class teams, and effecting real and sustainable change in all economic climates.
- A high-visibility brand builder of world-class companies. Able to turn a quality product brand into an industry powerhouse.
- Established rapport with potential and actual customers, identified current and future customer requirements, resulting in a 25% increase in customer retention rates.
- Ensured availability of merchandise and services by approving contracts and maintaining inventories, resulting in a 30% decrease in stockouts.
Timeline
District Manager
DRIVELINE RETAIL
05.2018 - Current
District Sales Manager
MARKET CONNECT GROUP
01.2017 - 01.2018
Sales/Marketing Manager
NLO NELSON LAW OFFICE
01.2010 - 01.2017
District Sales Manager
SOCIAL ONE/HIGHLIFE ADVENTURES
01.2005 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Marketing
Northeastern Illinois University