Jessica Guardado
Westminster
Summary
Detail-oriented professional with expertise in merchandising and inventory management. Proven track record in team leadership, ensuring compliance, and executing merchandising strategies that increase sales and improve customer satisfaction.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandise Manager
Five Below
Costa Mesa
08.2025 - Current
- Managed inventory levels to ensure product availability and meet customer demand.
- Developed merchandise displays to enhance product visibility and attract customer interest.
- Trained and supervised team members on merchandising standards and company policies.
- Analyzed sales trends to inform product selection and inventory management strategies.
- Collaborated with vendors to negotiate pricing and secure timely product deliveries.
- Implemented promotional strategies to boost seasonal sales and clear slow-moving items.
- Conducted regular store audits to maintain compliance with visual merchandising guidelines.
- Led staff meetings to communicate updates, share best practices, and motivate team performance.
- Created seasonal and promotional displays to maximize sales and profits.
- Designed floor layouts, product displays and shelving layouts to maximize sales and influence customer purchasing habits.
- Executed multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating, and prioritizing tasks.
- Provided ongoing training for staff members on how best to utilize merchandise resources.
- Placed prices and descriptive signage to enhance displays and promote items.
- Developed and implemented merchandise strategies to increase sales.
- Established guidelines for ordering, stocking, merchandising, displaying products, and maintaining visual standards of the store.
- Ensured that all merchandise was properly labeled according to company policy.
- Coordinated staff schedules and other labor activities to foster seamless delivery of service.
- Performed regular audits of store inventories in order to detect discrepancies between actual stock levels versus what is reported in the system.
- Monitored inventory levels by tracking stock movement, conducting regular physical counts, and adjusting forecasts accordingly.
- Collaborated with other departments such as marketing or advertising teams to create promotional materials that would help drive sales.
- Evaluated and analyzed product performance to develop optimal improvement strategies.
- Maintained physical inventory of merchandise and implemented systems to monitor costs.
- Managed store personnel in order to meet staffing requirements while staying within budget.
- Implemented loss prevention strategies including monitoring security cameras, implementing check-out procedures.
- Maintained effective communication with vendors regarding new products, marketing campaigns, discounts and promotions.
- Set direction for supervisory team and front-line staff to drive consistency of guest experience.
- Negotiated with vendors to obtain favorable terms, pricing, and delivery schedules.
- Analyzed customer preferences and buying trends to determine the optimal product mix for the store.
- Identified areas of improvement within the current inventory system in order to streamline processes.
- Coordinated with other departments such as marketing and finance to ensure a successful launch of new products or services.
- Used historical and current business data to determine key buying trends and items.
- Researched market trends in order to identify opportunities for growth in existing or new product categories.
- Transformed consumer feedback and fashion trends into successful product assortments.
- Developed pricing promotions and markdowns to meet sales and margin targets.
- Gathered and analyzed demographic data based on income, average age and sell-through statistics.
- Tracked sales trends and recommended adjustments to maximize departmental profitability.
- Increased sales through targeted merchandising plans and stocking of desirable inventory.
- Reviewed vendor performance metrics such as on-time delivery rate and quality control measures to ensure compliance with company standards.
- Analyzed financial data such as profit margins and cost analysis reports in order to make informed decisions about purchasing activities.
- Monitored store operations to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Managed inventory levels across multiple channels to ensure product availability and minimize overstock.
- Identified and addressed performance issues within the merchandising team, implementing solutions to improve efficiency.
- Evaluated and optimized supply chain processes to improve product availability and reduce lead times.
- Developed and implemented strategic merchandising plans to maximize sales and profitability.
- Utilized merchandising software and systems for efficient product management, reporting, and analysis.
- Trained and supervised merchandising staff, fostering a team-oriented environment focused on performance and development.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and best practices in merchandising operations.
- Assisted customers in selecting appropriate items based on their individual needs.
- Analyzed sales data and market trends to identify opportunities for merchandise expansion and optimization.
- Executed special projects and promotional events to drive brand awareness and increase customer engagement.
- Conducted competitor analysis to stay informed of market trends and adjust merchandising strategies accordingly.
- Led seasonal merchandise planning, aligning inventory with consumer buying patterns and seasonal trends.
- Established and maintained relationships with vendors, optimizing product selection and negotiating cost-saving deals.
- Collaborated with vendors and suppliers to negotiate purchasing terms, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality standards.
- Monitored and adjusted pricing strategies to remain competitive while ensuring profitability.
- Managed merchandise assortments, ensuring a balanced and appealing mix of products that meet customer demands.
- Coordinated with the marketing department to align merchandising strategies with promotional activities and advertising campaigns.
- Conducted market research to identify new product opportunities and trends.
- Implemented inventory control procedures to reduce shrinkage and improve stock accuracy.
- Organized and prioritized projects.
- Identified dead inventory and created solutions for excess liquidation through creative inventory management solutions.
- Located vendors of materials, equipment or supplies to conduct interviews, determining product availability and terms of sales.
- Collected documentation to assemble new purchase order contract folders.
- Verified purchase requisitions by comparing items requested to master list.
- Formulated and implemented annual purchasing plans and contracts, covering OEM, import, ingredients, materials and equipment.
- Introduced new incentive and recognition supplier programs.
- Analyzed market and delivery systems to determine present and future material availability.
- Settled complex new and existing agreements or statements of work, requests for information and requests for proposals.
- Led initiative for new purchasing protocol proposal and implementation.
- Maintained information database related to products and service availability, supplier capabilities and lead times.
- Identified systematic problems and root causes to resolve issues and improve service delivery.
- Coordinated importation of items via ocean and air.
- Represented companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
- Established cross-functional team that exceeded benchmarked order management metrics and reduced average purchasing cycle times time year-over-year.
Team Lead
Target
Santa Ana
02.2016 - 08.2025
- Supervised team members in daily operations and customer service tasks.
- Trained new staff on store policies and operational procedures.
- Managed inventory levels and organized stockroom efficiently.
- Coordinated team schedules to ensure adequate coverage during peak hours.
- Implemented visual merchandising standards to enhance product presentation.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints promptly and professionally.
- Conducted regular team meetings to communicate updates and expectations.
- Collaborated with management to improve store processes and workflows.
- Provided leadership and guidance to team members, ensuring that tasks were completed on time and to a high standard.
- Trained new staff in relevant processes and procedures.
- Delegated daily tasks to team members to optimize group productivity.
- Delegated tasks appropriately according to individual skill sets.
- Resolved escalated customer complaints or queries promptly and efficiently.
- Monitored team progress and enforced deadlines.
- Assisted the manager in setting achievable goals for the team while monitoring progress towards them.
- Identified opportunities for process improvements, implementing changes when required.
- Motivated staff through positive reinforcement techniques.
- Conducted performance appraisals for team members, providing feedback and identifying areas of improvement.
- Developed strategies to increase team productivity and improve customer service levels.
- Supported the manager in developing plans for future projects, initiatives and objectives.
- Maintained accurate records of employee attendance and task completion times.
- Collaborated with management team to implement new work procedures or policies.
- Held regular one-on-one coaching sessions with staff members to encourage personal development.
- Collaborated with other departments to develop effective solutions that meet customer needs.
- Coordinated team resources to achieve project goals.
- Ensured compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Offered training and support to keep team members motivated and working toward objectives.
- Kept work areas clean, neat and free of safety hazards to maximize efficiency.
- Motivated and empowered team members to build customer satisfaction and loyalty to support retention and growth.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
- Completed daily quality assurance duties to provide feedback for improvements.
- Mentored newly hired employees on machine operations and implemented training on safety procedures to prevent injuries.
- Coordinated daily operations, ensuring team adherence to company policies and procedures.
- Negotiated with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms and improve bottom-line results.
- Implemented strategic plans to enhance team performance and productivity.
- Oversaw training and development programs to enhance team skills and knowledge.
- Ensured compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in all team activities.
- Monitored team workload to prevent burnout and ensure equitable task distribution.
- Managed conflict resolution within the team to maintain a positive work environment.
- Resolved customer complaints and issues promptly, ensuring high levels of satisfaction.
- Established clear team goals aligned with company objectives, tracking progress regularly.
- Allocated resources effectively to ensure project completion within deadlines and budget.
- Facilitated team meetings to discuss targets, strategies, and address any issues.
- Led a team of XX individuals in achieving quarterly sales targets, exceeding goals.
- Motivated team members through recognition programs and performance-based incentives.
- Maintained open lines of communication with senior management, reporting team progress and challenges.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and efficiency.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback and personalized coaching.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints requiring management-level escalation.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Assigned work and monitored performance of project personnel.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
- Planned and delivered training sessions to improve employee effectiveness and address areas of weakness.
- Evaluated individual and team business performance and identified opportunities for improvement.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
- Analyzed business performance data and forecasted business results for upper management.
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
Department Manager
Walmart
Huntington Beach
05.2008 - 10.2015
- Trained new employees on store policies and customer service standards.
- Oversaw inventory management and stock replenishment processes.
- Implemented merchandising strategies to enhance product visibility.
- Resolved customer complaints by providing effective solutions promptly.
- Monitored compliance with safety regulations and store policies effectively.
- Handled shift overstock, restocking, and inventory control.
- Followed safety protocols and company processes and procedures.
- Supported shrinkage and safety awareness, reviewed sales and inventory data, identified trends and prepared reports for management.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure smooth flow of operations across multiple teams.
- Kept department on-target to meet sales and profit objectives by minimizing waste and pursuing revenue generation opportunities.
- Worked closely with sales associates to complete tasks.
- Executed targeted merchandising and promotional plans to meet department sales goals.
Education
High School Diploma -
Penn Foster College
Scottsdale, AZ01-2023
Associate of Science - Medical Office Administration
South College
Knoxville, TNSkills
- Visual merchandising
- Inventory management
- Data analysis
- Stockroom organization
- Stock management
- Attention to detail
- Operations management
- Relationship building
- Planning and organizing
- Materials management
- Logistics coordination
- Organizational skills
- Continuous improvement
- Product assortment
- Customer relationship management
- Team leadership
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Merchandise Manager
Five Below
08.2025 - Current
Team Lead
Target
02.2016 - 08.2025
Department Manager
Walmart
05.2008 - 10.2015
High School Diploma -
Penn Foster College
Associate of Science - Medical Office Administration
South College