Ron Svoboda

Experience

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  Randalls Food Market

  Nov 1988 - Dec 2005

  Store Director

  Key Responsibilities included the overall management responsibility for operation of $25,000,000 retail grocery store, including store financial performance, cash control, inventory and security, customer service, and management of staff. Track, analyze and take action to improve store performance by forecasting of weekly/daily sales goals and meeting or exceeding established goals. Communicated sales goals, department performance and sales opportunities with staff to ensure positive results. Forecasted, scheduled, and monitored labor to be consistent with store sales and productivity guidelines and wage budgets; created action plans to address cost control issues. * Increased productivity by at least 25% through cross-training, employee development and organizational skills and reduced turnover by 27% by creating an “open door” policy, developing achievable career goals for employees, conducting ongoing training, and successfully addressing and resolving employee relations issues.* Consistently exceeded Randalls’ productivity goal of 100% with an average of 105.5%, saving thousands in labor costs. * Reduced labor costs from over 11% to 8% by reducing overtime by over 90% to less than 10 hours per week. * Chosen by District Manager for various special projects including selecting new Store Directors as an assessor for the Store Manager Readiness Assessment Center, and assuming District Manager role during vacations.* Certified to facilitate numerous Management Training Programs including Front Line Leadership (Achieve Global), Situational Leadership, Time Management, and Financial Management to Department Manager and Store Manager Candidates.* Improved Pharmacy customer service ranking from the bottom of the third quartile to top 10 in the Division through collaboration, observation, and coaching the pharmacy staff. * Recognized as a Safeway Presidential Award Winner for delivering exceptional customer service. Show less

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  Target

  Jan 2006 - Jul 2007

  Store Team Leader

  Comprehensive responsibility for all operational aspects of 120,000 sq/ft. big box retail store, generating $30,000,000 in revenue. Directly managed human resources, logistics, soft lines, hard lines, guest services and merchandising functions. Hired and managed 8 executive direct reports and more than 200 employees, providing motivation and recognition while maintaining a team-oriented environment. Facilitated the implementation of strategies to increase efficiency and volume through employee training, inventory control, and communications systems. Handled P&L responsibilities, implemented and managed operational budget, ensuring adherence to corporate labor expense guidelines. Developed labor projections and created forecasting models; anticipated challenges and implemented proactive solutions before problems occurred. Identified potential problems for both back and front-end operations, evaluated alternatives and implemented positive solutions to sustain profitability. * Increased Profitability by reducing payroll expenditures by 1,000 hours as compared to budget for the year and by reducing overtime usage from 1.86% to .84% in 2006 and to .47% in 2007. Reduced other controllable expenses by 96 basis points, including supply costs & cash shortage results.* Improved overall operational measurements by 5%, including improvement of processes 7.5% in Logistics/Backroom, and 5.5% on the Sales Floor (service/in stock conditions).Improved soft lines floor conditions and increased sales by 10% through effective sales floor presentation, conditions, and merchandising, thereby increasing store gross profit by driving more clothing sales.* Reduced wait times for customer assistance by 4% by cultivating a culture of focusing on the customer and their needs. * Certified to facilitate several Management Training Programs including Leading in a Union Free Workplace, and Creating an Individual Development Plan. Show less

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  Zip2Info.com

  Jun 2007 - Nov 2008

  Partner/Marketing Director

  Partner in new Internet search engine, from inception. Created business plan & developed business structure. Assisted in design and functionality of web page.* Negotiated business to business contracts with data providers for business directory information. Negotiated arrangements for venues to provide information for community events to be posted to Web site.

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  Lowe's Home Improvement

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2011

  Store Manager

  Total comprehensive responsibilities on all aspects of a 120,000 sq/ft. retail building. Store generated $35,000,000 in revenue. Direct management of human resources, operations, merchants, project managers, design center and specialty sales as well as lumber and building materials. Focused on Extended Service Plans, credit promotions, total P&L, shrink, and customer service initiatives. Directly managed 5 salaried managers, 18 supervisors and 125 to 200 employees.* Improved store standards through effective coaching and development, and holding the team accountable for work performance, productivity, and standards.* Increased productivity to achieve Lowe’s payroll expectations by reducing 200+ hours, weekly. Evaluated scheduling, adjusted staffing levels as needed to help the “right place right time” mix for improved productivity, store standards, and service delivery.* Increased related sale items by 10% through re-merchandising to help drive additional sales and by observing the team interaction, educating on product knowledge, and coaching on observed customer encounters. Show less

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  Vision Quest Consultants

  Jan 2012 - Feb 2015

  Recruiting Supervisor

  Vision Quest is a results-driven recruiting firm specializing in professionals from junior level to senior management. Our structured process is designed to deliver results to each client. We take the time to listen and to understand our client's needs. The majority of our business is from repeat clients. We welcome the opportunity to prove to you that we are the best in the industry!Commitment:We are committed to creating an environment where our client-companies, client-candidates and our employees win. With an old-fashion commitment to quality and to deliver results, we establish a win-win-win relationship. When we take on a search, it is with the strongest determination to be successful.Training:Our documented, structured training program ensures that our clients receive the same superior level of service from every team member. We spend hours each week training and developing each employee. Yes, this level of training is uncommon in our industry because of the investment required however, the results speak for themselves!Ethics:We have a very high standard of ethical behavior at Vision Quest Consultants. We never misrepresent and we do not represent clients that miss-categorize their backgrounds. Every team member strives to give honest information at all times. Ethical behavior is the cornerstone of our success! Show less