CARLO TARANTINO
Vaughan,ON
Summary
Customer-oriented store manager offering several years of experience in retail operations, sales and service team leadership and profitability strategies. Organized and skilled at prioritizing daily tasks and following through to achieve performance and productivity goals. Recruits, trains, develops and manages team of store associates and assistant managers.
Overview
2
2
years of post-secondary education
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Store Manager
LCBO
Toronto, ON
01.2013 - 01.2022
- Managed and coached large frontline teams, including scheduling, performance evaluations, and development, ensuring strong service delivery and full compliance with collective agreements and seniority rules.
- Drove a 35% sales increase during COVID-19 lockdowns by adapting rapidly to shifting operational requirements and customer behavior, demonstrating resiliency and effective change leadership.
- Ensured a safe and clean environment by enforcing compliance with Ontario safety standards, participating on the Health & Safety Committee, and proactively identifying hazards and mitigation plans.
- Implemented feedback-driven service improvements to enhance customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
- Optimized inventory planning, store layout, and product mix to enhance customer experience and meet organizational objectives.
- Handpicked by senior leadership to oversee the high-profile Mystery Shop Program, resulting in outstanding scores of 95%, 100%, and 98.5%.
- Led hiring, onboarding, coaching, and scheduling functions to ensure appropriate service levels during peak periods and special events.
- Applied diplomacy and problem-solving to address customer concerns, operational issues, and staff challenges with professionalism and fairness.
- Led LCBO store operations, ensuring daily compliance with beverage alcohol regulations.
- Enhanced employee skills in customer service and product knowledge to improve overall service quality.
- Managed inventory receiving, stock rotation, and shelf replenishment.
- Oversaw cash handling, safe counts, and register procedures.
- Coordinated product displays and merchandising across LCBO sales floor.
- Resolved customer concerns and supported respectful in-store service.
- Monitored store standards and guided team performance during shifts.
- Recruited, trained and supervised new employees.
- Conducted daily store operations, including opening and closing procedures and cash handling.
- Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss.
- Balanced sales, reconciled cash and made bank deposits to facilitate opening and closing duties.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner.
- Created weekly work schedules for store personnel.
- Executed inventory management through regular cycle counts and audits.
- Updated and maintained store signage and displays.
- Prepared monthly reports on sales figures, expenses, profits.
- Prepared weekly schedules to verify proper floor coverage within fiscal guidelines.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed orders to restock shelves.
- Established customer service standards and monitored staff compliance.
- Maintained accurate records of employee performance reviews.
- Strengthened workflow productivity through hiring, managing, and developing top talent to meet business needs.
- Evaluated store performance and incorporated feedback to implement improvement plans.
- Established store tactics and strategies to achieve operational performance and sales goals.
- Performed regular price checks to ensure competitive pricing.
- Developed strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
- Oversaw storewide merchandising benchmarks to maintain operational excellence.
- Showcased and built visually appealing displays and signs to encourage customers to buy specific products.
- Reviewed customer feedback to identify operational improvements that enhanced satisfaction.
- Identified operational issues and implemented appropriate process improvements to promote workplace safety and productivity.
- Preserved product quality by maintaining stockrooms and disposing of damaged items.
- Exceeded team goals and resolved issues by sharing and implementing customer service initiatives.
- Organized promotional events to increase product awareness.
- Planned special promotions or discounts based on market trends.
- Built relationships with key customers and stakeholders to grow business networks and locate new opportunities.
- Implemented efficient systems for tracking stock movement.
- Assessed operational efficiency of the store's departments.
- Identified opportunities for cost savings through waste reduction initiatives.
- Developed relationships with suppliers to negotiate better prices.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific duties.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed new orders for merchandise to keep supply well-stocked.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to measure productivity or goal achievement.
- Appraised inventory levels on a frequent basis, ordering new merchandise to keep quantities well-stocked.
- Implemented successful business strategies to increase revenue and target new markets.
- Coordinated and directed activities of businesses or departments concerning production, pricing and sales.
- Monitored progress by establishing plans, budgets and measuring results.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Improved productivity initiatives, managing budgets and accounts, coordinating itinerary and scheduling appointments.
- Implemented campaigns and promotions to help with developing goods and services.
- Forecasted customer demand to set prices or credit terms for goods or services.
- Directed or coordinated financial or budget activities to fund operations and maximize investments.
- Structured HR consulting services to support clients during organizational developments and changes.
PLE Trainer (Product, Logistics & Education)
LCBO
Toronto, ON
01.1993 - 01.2016
- Trained new and existing staff on operational processes, customer service standards, and organizational tools, enhancing team effectiveness.
- Trained new and existing staff in operational processes, customer service standards, and the use of organizational tools and systems.
- Reinforced safety, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency through structured training modules and hands-on guidance, promoting a culture of compliance.
- Supported development of future leaders by building staff competency and identifying skills gaps, fostering a pipeline of skilled personnel.
- Supported the development of future leaders by building staff competency, improving performance, and identifying skills gaps.
- Led LCBO store operations, ensuring daily compliance with beverage alcohol regulations.
- Scheduled staff and assigned duties to support LCBO retail coverage.
- Managed inventory receiving, stock rotation, and shelf replenishment.
Education
Diploma - Electronics Technician
DeVry University
02.1992 - 01.1994
Skills
- Inventory management
- POS systems
- Retail compliance
- Cash handling
- Sales forecasting
- Store operations
- Visual merchandising
- Staff scheduling
- Loss prevention
- Budget management
- Team leadership
- Customer focus
- Conflict resolution
- Problem solving
- Change leadership
- Sales expertise
- Friendly and positive
- Sales promotions
- Merchandise planning
- Policies and procedures
- Project management
- Personnel development
- Staff supervision
- Training and mentoring
- Relationship building and management
- Staff performance improvement
- Talent recruitment
- Performance reviews
- Recruitment and hiring
- Report generation
- Root-cause analysis
- Database management
- Employee retention strategies
- Bank deposit procedures
- Operations
- Sales coaching
- Accurate cash handling
- Retail sales techniques
- Promotional planning
- Recruiting and hiring
- Employee engagement
- Strategic thinker
- Supply chain management
- Problem-solving
- Sales professional
- Marketing and promotions
- Partnership building
- Process improvements
- Sales strategies
- Store operations oversight
- Advertising and marketing
- Sales analysis
- Financial operations management
- Cash management
- Inventory forecasting
- Multitasking and organization
- Program administration
- Budget development
- Mathematical aptitude
- Systems and software expertise
- Employee scheduling
- Team building and leadership
- Store merchandising
- Inventory control
- Team building
- Promotions management
- Team motivation
- Team leadership and coaching
- Outstanding communication skills
- Leadership development
- Retail inventory management
- Budgeting and cost control
- Strategic planning
- Profit margin optimization
Additional
Title: Customer Service & Operations Leader | Frontline Management | Safety & Compliance
Personal Information
Title: Customer Service & Operations Leader | Frontline Management | Safety & Compliance
Timeline
Store Manager
LCBO
01.2013 - 01.2022
PLE Trainer (Product, Logistics & Education)
LCBO
01.1993 - 01.2016
Diploma - Electronics Technician
DeVry University
02.1992 - 01.1994