Laura Gillies
Barrie
Summary
Adept at transforming retail spaces, I elevated Old Navy's customer experience through innovative visual merchandising and effective operations management. My creative vision and problem-solving skills led to engaging displays and streamlined processes, enhancing brand consistency and sales. Known for exceptional relationship building, I fostered a team-oriented environment, driving significant improvements in employee retention and customer satisfaction.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Visual Merchandiser
Old Navy Park Place
08.2018 - Current
- Collaborated with sales team to align merchandising strategies with current marketing campaigns.
- Designed captivating window displays by incorporating seasonal themes and trends.
- Enhanced shopper engagement by creating interactive displays that encouraged product exploration.
- Researched industry trends by analyzing competitor displays and customer preferences.
Operations Manager
Old Navy Tillicum Mall
09.2014 - 07.2018
Operations Manager
Old Navy Mic Mac Mall
09.2009 - 04.2012
- Conducted process audits to identify areas for improvement and implemented best practices
- Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
- Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
- Oversaw facility maintenance, ensuring optimal functionality of equipment and infrastructure at all times.
- Achieved higher employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment and providing opportunities for professional growth.
- Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
Customer Service Supervisor
Old Navy Erin Mills Town Center
07.2006 - 07.2009
- Conducted performance reviews to promote professional growth within team.
- Facilitated knowledge-sharing sessions for team members to enhance skills.
- Resolved customer complaints by implementing immediate solutions.
- Prepared feedback summaries to share insights with management.
Education
Certificate - Drug And Alcohol Counsellor
Sir Sanford Fleming College
Peterborough Ontario - General Arts And Science
Fanshawe College of Applied Arts And Technology
London, None04.2005
High School Diploma -
John Fraser Secondary School
Mississauga, ON06.2002
Skills
- Product knowledge
- Visual merchandising
- Customer service
- Creative vision
- Window displays
- Customer experience
- Sales promotion
- Product placement
- Guest engagement
- Mannequin styling
- Order management
- Workload planning
- Employee coaching
- Store layout
- Display building
- Merchandise flow
- Sales expertise
- Consumer behavior
- Product expertise
- Merchandising plan creation
- Standards development
- Pricing and shelf labeling
- Remote video conferencing
- Mannequin and prop maintenance
- Pricing and signage updates
- Critical thinking
- New store setups
- Laptop and mobile device use
- Relationship building
- Problem-solving
- Planogram resets
- Brand consistency
- Color theory
- Retail sales campaigns
- Interior retail displays
- Overstock strategy
- Merchandising plan development
- Remerchandising
- Fixture placement
- Fixture layout
- Seasonal promotions
- Marketing
- Brand image alignment
- Lighting techniques
Languages
English
Full Professional
Affiliations
Volunteer with precious paws dog rescue
Timeline
Visual Merchandiser
Old Navy Park Place
08.2018 - Current
Operations Manager
Old Navy Tillicum Mall
09.2014 - 07.2018
Operations Manager
Old Navy Mic Mac Mall
09.2009 - 04.2012
Customer Service Supervisor
Old Navy Erin Mills Town Center
07.2006 - 07.2009
Certificate - Drug And Alcohol Counsellor
Sir Sanford Fleming College
- General Arts And Science
Fanshawe College of Applied Arts And Technology
High School Diploma -
John Fraser Secondary School
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