Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
StoreManager

Jay Zachary

Okotoks

Summary

Results-driven retail management professional with proven track record in leading store operations and driving sales growth. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, ensuring reliability and adaptability to changing needs. Expertise in inventory management, customer service, and staff training, coupled with excellent problem-solving and communication skills. Enthusiastic about creating positive shopping experience and optimizing store performance with an extensive knowledge in the hearth, patio and barbecue industry.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Store Manager

Barbecues Galore
07.2016 - 05.2025
  • Lead and manage a high performing team, including recruiting, hiring, on boarding, training, motivating, recognizing, and managing performance
  • Work closely with the owner operator and regional manager to increase store sales growth and increase market share
  • Work closely with all team members to ensure customers have the greatest shopping experience possible
  • Manage inventory control, facility maintenance, security and assembly and distribution of goods
  • Manage P&L, profitable sales growth, inventory control and expense control

Branch Manager

Grainger Industrial Supply
05.2014 - 04.2016
  • Lead and manage a high performing team, including recruiting, hiring, on boarding, training, motivating, recognizing, and managing performance
  • Work closely with the District Sales Manager to drive profitable branch sales growth and increase market share
  • Work with the sales force, both outside and inside teams to build and grow strong, positive customer relationships and increase sales, including regular customer calls
  • Manage inventory control, facility maintenance, security and distribution of goods
  • Manage all customer pricing to optimize profitability utilizing pricing mechanisms as appropriate
  • Managed the P&L, profitable sales growth, inventory control and expense control
  • Specific Achievements
  • Through careful planning, successfully led team through SAP transition and implementation
  • Instituted individual team-member accountability through attrition, mentoring, coaching and leading by example
  • Increased average ticket spend through remerchandising the showroom, focusing on consumable items
  • Continuously monitored branch performance against key performance indicators, taking corrective actions as needed to ensure objectives were met or exceeded.
  • Oversaw daily operations for streamlined efficiency, ensuring timely execution of tasks and optimal resource allocation.
  • Evaluated employee performance regularly through appraisals and feedback sessions to facilitate continuous development of skills and knowledge base within the team.
  • Strengthened relationships with key clients, securing long-term partnerships and driving revenue growth.
  • Collaborated with senior leadership on strategic planning initiatives to align branch objectives with corporate goals.
  • Managed branch financials including budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking for accurate reporting and decision-making support.
  • Interviewed and hired talented individuals with top-level strengths, improving organizational talent, and skill set.
  • Enhanced branch production rates by handling staff conflicts, evaluations, hiring, and termination processes and coaching employees on company protocol and payroll operations.
  • Met deadlines by proactively managing individual and team tasks and streamlining processes.
  • Enhanced staff competency with regular training sessions, boosting productivity levels across the branch operations.
  • Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and offering competitive compensation packages.
  • Ensured regulatory compliance through diligent adherence to industry standards, guidelines, and company policies.
  • Monitored market trends to identify new business opportunities and capitalize on potential growth areas within the community or region served.
  • Optimized branch inventory management practices for improved product availability and reduced stock obsolescence costs.
  • Drove cross-selling efforts by collaborating with various departments within the organization to maximize revenues from existing clients.
  • Created and executed marketing strategies, increasing brand awareness and attracting new customers.
  • Elevated staff morale and productivity by introducing system of rewards and recognition for outstanding performance.
  • Conducted regular financial reviews and audits, identifying and resolving discrepancies promptly.
  • Cultivated lasting relationships with high-value clients, securing their loyalty through exceptional service and advice.
  • Fostered culture of excellence and accountability, resulting in branch consistently exceeding performance targets.
  • Directed recruitment and onboarding efforts, assembling high-performing team committed to achieving branch objectives.
  • Oversaw daily branch operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining operational integrity.

Store Manager

Home Depot
02.2012 - 03.2014
  • Oversee all store operational functions, including sales and margin performance and management of all store personnel
  • Managed the P&L, profitable sales growth, inventory control and expense control
  • Executed Home Depot’s Business Strategy, utilizing marketing tools, leveraging human resources and giving back to the community
  • Lead teams and reacted with agility to internal and external factors
  • Developed key relationships, including customer, workforce and community that improve business results
  • Accountable for overall store expenses, merchandising standards, policy and procedure compliance, safety, security, supervision, training, and mentoring
  • Scheduling of all personnel and any other duties as assigned by the District Manager
  • Specific Achievements
  • Influential in turnaround of under-performing sales team; set higher expectations and instituted individual team-member accountability resulting in a two-year growth of over 7% from 2012 – 2014.
  • Consistently delivered a high level of customer service and created brand loyalty while in very close proximity to a major competitor through inspiring team members to deliver more than what they thought was possible
  • Met or exceeded all quotas throughout tenure, averaging more than $38 million in annual sales in the South East Calgary location

Assistant Store Manager

Home Depot
07.2008 - 02.2012
  • Responsible for providing Customers with a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience by creating and inviting shopping environment and meeting their project needs quickly and fully
  • Work with the Store Manager to develop strategies and objectives to drive sales and profitability.
  • Provide leadership to Associates so that these strategies and objectives are executed successfully
  • Responsible for the management of the P&L as well as the overall operating efficiency of the store
  • Oversee store compliance with policy and Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Ensure merchandising, and planograms standards are met
  • Oversee shipping/receiving function in the store & ensure inventory levels are maintained
  • Ensure proper staffing levels; coach, train and develop associates by providing both formal and informal job-based feedback
  • Maintain store profitability through report analysis, identifying trends, defining problems and developing appropriate responses
  • Responsible for providing leadership to all direct reports and establishing career paths and learning opportunities
  • Specific Achievements
  • Relocated from the smallest store in the Southern Alberta to the largest store in Western Canada after only one year in role as an assistant store manager
  • Mentored department heads, to become better leaders, through actively partaking in coaching and feedback sessions

Department Supervisor

Home Depot
08.2004 - 07.2008
  • Ensuring that Customers are acknowledged, Customer project needs are met, complaints are resolved, service is quick and efficient, store is properly stocked
  • Training Associates to provide quality customer service
  • Setting departmental sales goals and monitoring them regularly
  • Driving productivity on the sales floor
  • Coaching, training and developing associates by providing both informal (e.g., on-floor coaching) and formal (e.g., written evaluation) job performance-based feedback
  • Motivating associates to perform at a high level
  • Assess associates training needs as it relates to all aspects of sales and customer service (e.g., product, process knowledge and customer service skills) and implement plans for improvement
  • Maintaining department profitability through report analysis and identifying trends, defining problems and developing appropriate responses for assigned departments and store
  • Specific Achievements
  • Awarded “Most Outstanding Lumber and Building Materials Department” for southern Alberta in 2005

Education

Diploma - Business Administration

Medicine Hat College
Medicine Hat, Alberta
01.2004

Skills

  • People leadership, teambuilding and coaching skills to support growth and development
  • Relationship-building and communication skills
  • Excellent business acumen including an understanding of financial operating statements and key drivers
  • Innovative thinker Can streamline work processes, reduce costs and improve operational excellence
  • Success in implementing change
  • An entrepreneurial attitude with a strong drive to over achieve
  • Strong organizational and time management skills Ability to multi task
  • High sense of urgency
  • Professional demeanor and ability to work with all levels externally, as well as internally

Timeline

Store Manager

Barbecues Galore
07.2016 - 05.2025

Branch Manager

Grainger Industrial Supply
05.2014 - 04.2016

Store Manager

Home Depot
02.2012 - 03.2014

Assistant Store Manager

Home Depot
07.2008 - 02.2012

Department Supervisor

Home Depot
08.2004 - 07.2008

Diploma - Business Administration

Medicine Hat College

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