Fred Stokes

Experience

• 

  Lowe's Companies, Inc.

  Mar 2009 - Oct 2015

  • Maximize sales and margin by identifying sales opportunities• Responsible for overseeing the daily activities of hourly associates on the Sales Floor, Front End, Freight, Delivery or Stocking departments• Responsible for training, mentoring, and coaching employees• Manage associate performance and ensures adequate department coverage through influencing scheduling• Conducts activities appropriate for specific department including, but not limited to, ensuring merchandise isstocked, tracking and reporting relevant metrics, and monitoring project activity• Maintains a safe and secure work environment by conducting daily safety reviews, noting hazards, keeping storeareas clean and organized, securing doors and gates, and monitoring for potential theft or security risks• Responsible for providing superior customer service by assisting customers in locating, selecting, demonstrating,and loading merchandise Show less

  • Department Manager

    Dec 2014 - Oct 2015

  • Customer Service Associate/Truck Unloader

    Jun 2012 - Dec 2014

  • Customer Service Associate

    Mar 2009 - Jun 2012
• 

  JCPenney

  Nov 2015 - Jun 2019

  Customer Service & Sales – Manages and promotes FindMore, credit, rewards and gift card programs in the store. Drives planning and execution of events and credit card acquisition and actively engages customers to support the company’s credit application process.General Operations – Supports Omnichannel initiatives by driving in store processes. Responsible for planning and executing of special events. Owns Pricing and signing operations Talent Acquisition & Training – Owns the training and coaching on all Omnichannel initiatives and processes to drive sales and customer service. Partners with the General Manager to complete succession planning.Team Development – Oversees the Productivity Standards Program. Plans, coordinates and delivers store training programs to associates. Coaches in the moment, addresses performance issues and taking immediate action on performance and policy issues on the team. Show less Maintains detailed assortment plan for assigned styles and practices exception based management, identifying issues and recommending solutions to the buyerAssists Buyer in the execution of all related merchandising activities including creating and placing merchandise orders, monitoring and tracking on order details, and communicates any order revisions to suppliers.Create strategies for life of item from purchase to markdown. Reviews sales performance and makes recommendations to adjust in season or future plans.Assists Buyers and other stakeholders in developing assortments and quantifying buys, meeting timing needs with regards to merchandising delivery.Reviews inventory buys, positions or issues with partners in Planning & Allocation. Make sure all store buys are congruent and set up for ecommerce. Order samples for ecommerce product shots.Communicates product attributes for systems set up, negotiates pricing/cost; ensures the product is available to stakeholders in all utilized systems.Act as liaison for entire Merchandise Action Team relative to marketing, pricing, signing, and store environment.Monitors competitor merchandising and shares findings with stakeholders.Maintain continuous communication with Merchandise Assistants.Attend all product/vendor meetings. Show less Accountable for driving customer service to achieve profitable sales growth by leading and engaging associates, reinforcing and supporting standards of merchandising excellence, training and developing associates, and executing sales building programs.ResponsibilitiesCustomer Service – Models and holds team accountable for outstanding customer service. Actively listens to customer issues to resolve problems. Ensures the team follows core standards for the sales floor, fitting rooms, and checkout in order to deliver a consistent experience with the customer.Sales – Drives the planning and execution of sales events. Supports omnichannel initiatives. Drives credit card acquisition. Reviews results and business trends to quickly identify and address areas of opportunity.Merchandising & Visual Execution – Owns the floor-set process as well as the merchandising and core standards. Actively walks the floor and strategizes with team to plan and execute all merchandising and visual elements.Team Development – Plays an active role in the training and development of associates; coaches in the moment, addresses performance issues, and partners with the General Manager on succession planning for the store.Performance Standards – Consistently meets established performance standards; including but not limited to: product and service sales, customer service, profit, productivity, and attendance. Show less Gain exposure to key areas of store operations, including delivering exceptional customer service, leading and motivating a store team, in-store merchandising, sales support functions, sales analysis and event managementProject Leader: Store RemodelManaged budget and schedules for multiple projects: Project Silver, Center Core and Home Store Consolidation.Schedule and execute all stages of project, assessed business implications for each project phase and monitored progress to meet deadlines, standards and cost targets. Show less

  • Assistant Manager

    Feb 2018 - Jun 2019

  • Assistant Buyer Men's Dress Shirts & Neckwear

    Dec 2016 - Feb 2018

  • Assistant Manager-Merchandise

    Aug 2015 - Dec 2016

  • Assistant Store Manager Trainee

    Nov 2015 - Aug 2016
• 

  Lowe's Companies, Inc.

  Jun 2019 - now

  Responsible for all inventory, merchandising, sales and customer service activities in departments such as Lawn and Garden, Electrical, Plumbing, Hardware, Tools, and Pro. Leads team of associates to ensure the store remains in-stock and customers receive quality service while shopping in a clean and safe store environment. Also accountable for achieving sales and margin goals while driving operational efficiencies and maximizing overall customer satisfaction with the Lowe s in-store experience. Show less

  • Store Manager

    Nov 2019 - now

  • Assistant Store Manager (Merchandising)

    Jun 2019 - Nov 2019