Derek Soares

Experience

• 

  BJ's Wholesale Club

  Sept 2000 - Dec 2022

  • Create and implement strategies, action plans, control operating expenses and coach management team to execute district business plans to deliver on financial goals and consistently exceed sales targets. • Promoted to Regional Director in Training from General Manager, although unofficially held Regional Director responsibilities, thus currently hold 6+ years of multi-unit experience in total.• Manage staffing levels, labor costs, team engagement, and sales productivity for 12 locations over a 6-year period. • Define a clear business vision and communicate district execution expectations and track progress to ensure accountability.• Provide leadership, direction, and feedback to store management teams to drive sales goals and maximize profitability.• Conduct analysis, monitoring, and measure progress of district financial reports, sales results, and business trends to capitalize on opportunities.• Visit various stores and participate in district-level meetings to ensure compliance with company standards regarding store conditions, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.• Oversee district succession planning and employee development, building strong leadership teams and creating a bench of talent.• Foster a safe work environment guaranteeing safety and security compliance for employees and customers district-wide.• Ensure merchandising standards are consistently executed and brand guidelines are met throughout all locations.• Build and maintain high-performing teams through effective employee relationships by building trust, setting clear measurable goals, constructive criticism, positive recognition, and frequent communication.• Predict and identify potential business risks and actively create innovative ways to drive sales and control expenses. Show less • Achieved a selection by Sr. Leadership to run the Flagship store.• Managed store operations and profitability, leading 9 managers and 200+ employees. • Served as a Regional Director delegate during time off, overseeing 12 locations for 6+ years.• Was awarded GM of the Year in 2021.• Boosted sales by $4 million+ annually and manage an inventory that totaled greater than $12 million.• Balanced P&L and maximized profit of controllable costs such as labor, margins, waste, and loss prevention.• Surpassed sales revenue and growth targets and member acquisition goals year over year.• Collaborated cross-functionally to create sales strategies to implement new concepts, processes, and solutions to optimize operations.• Evaluate employee performance, set goals, actively coach, & inspire team to advance individual development and growth.• Took part in leadership development programs mentoring future GMs.• Organized and facilitated leadership meetings for the region and led analytics reporting.• Reinforced a positive team culture, as well as established and maintained strong relationships with internal partners and 20+ external vendors.• Improved team morale to provide outstanding customer experience and subsequently drove satisfaction reflected in member engagement and retention. Show less • Enrolled in and successfully completed the General Manager In Training Program.• Spearheaded all operations, club audits, food safety, and inventory controls to ensure safe work environment.• Handled payroll, scheduling, and compensation for team members, analyzing reporting and make adjustments as needed.• Recruited, hired, trained, and developed employees and facilitated new employee onboarding, prioritizing efficiency and appropriate acclimatization of new hires.• Supervised all Human Resource functions within the store.• Piloted performance reviews and issued appropriate counseling and disciplinary action if needed.• Drove an increase in membership acquisition and retention in the three years in this position.• Leveraged problem solving to address any store or customer-related issues. Show less

  • Regional Director In Training

    Feb 2022 - Dec 2022

  • General Manager

    Apr 2014 - Dec 2022

  • Assistant Manager Operations

    Aug 2011 - Apr 2014

  • Senior Perishable Manager

    Jan 2011 - Aug 2011

  • Senior Merchandise Manager

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2011

  • Meat Manager

    Feb 2006 - Jan 2007

  • Overnight Merchandise Manager

    Jun 2005 - Feb 2006

  • Receiving & Inventory Control Manager

    Feb 2005 - Jun 2005

  • Meat Cutter, Meat Clerk, Recovery, Cashier, Cart Retriever

    Sept 2000 - Feb 2005
• 

  Nouria

  Dec 2022 - now

  Regional Manager