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Chris Simon

Chris Simon

Designing Blueprints for Profitable Change

Driving Transformative Change
Facilitating Continual Process Improvements
Embracing Experimentation, Noticing Friction Points
Data Visualization Consultant
Conducting Thorough Operational Assessments
simon.chris@comcast.net 763-307-0135
9700 Greenspruce ave55443 Brooklyn parkUnited States
Contact me at: simon.chris@comcast.net







DESIGNING AND EXECUTING BLUEPRINTS FOR PROFITABLE CHANGE

Internationally recognized leader in retail innovation. Strategy developer that digs into ambiguous issues, sifting through data to make sense of what it is telling us. Using my passion for concept mapping, I have lead others through brainstorming, software design, communicating complex ideas, lexicon development, mapping symmetries, and organizing team knowledge.

Improve the patient experience by enhancing and developing processes that create operational improvements, by being the voice of the doctor and serving as an advocate for the OD teams during strategy development.

Provided strategic guidance to executive field leaders and other functional business partners in developing and driving key business priorities for continuous transformation.

I have contributed my retail and operations knowledge to help design and operationalize scalable processes and sound business playbooks in operations, logistics, merchandising, recycling, sustainability and Appointment book management.

Support initiatives by leading and coordinating store visits, in person and virtually to simplify processes, and improve team member and guest experiences.

Known as an Innovation Catalyst, unleashing employees creativity by embracing experimentation, noticing friction points and implementing solutions to improve results.



My success is based on envisioning change and generating hope in others. I am imaginative, peeling back the layers of ambiguity, and comfortable with abstract ideas. My belief is that success is defined by being original, expressing new ideas, and prototyping those ideas when possible.

Expert at conducting thorough operational assessments, educating stakeholders and building coalitions for change, generating solutions to drive sales and profits, and facilitating continual process improvements.

Ability to recommend, influence and drive transformative change through social innovation.

"Chris is one of the finest retail "engineers" you will find. The type of retailer who is constantly looking for innovative ways to improve the efficiency of your entire business, including all those little things that add up to the big things. His innovation is truly impressive."
Phil Thorne CFO Quorso

Design strategist who uses prototyping to learn more about the desirability, feasibility, and viability of new ideas.

Skills include
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Space Planning
• Smart Data Visualization
• Concept Mapping
• EMR management
• Process Improvement
• Organizational Data mapping
• Next Practice Creation
Resume created on DoYouBuzz
Experiences
  • BUILDING COALITIONS FOR CHANGE | Provided business management consulting within Visionworks advising on strategies for how to meet business goals. My responsibilities include practice analysis and development of strategic plans of action based on individual client needs. This includes clinical, schedule management, fee and financial analysis, patient services, practice administration and EMR management.
    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Built partnerships to influence and drive impact to business strategies, and collaborated with cross-functional partners across Store Operations to solve defined business problems, developed new tools, training and resources, and supported innovation by refining store processes. Lead outreach through doctor roundtable meetings that lead to improvements in operations and patient experience in live and Telehealth exams.
    DEVELOP AND DELIVER CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES | Reporting strategyIdentified operational improvement opportunities by creating an exam metrics reporting tool • Exam slot adherence: This measures the ability to provide sufficient exam slots to meet expected customer demand, within the guardrails of OD labor efficiency• Exam fill rate: Measures the ability to drive comprehensive exam demand against scheduled exam slots• Exam slot utilization: Measures the ability to successfully convert scheduled slots to executed exams• Exam Drill down: Measures Exam behaviors that lead to reduced exam capacity
    EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS | Business Analytics• Leveraged company information to assess current situation, identified key implications and trends, and developed strategies to successfully improve results• Provided analytic support to business functions – analyzing business results, developing business cases, and collaborating with key partners to help brainstorm and support key innovation.• Provided executive team support – managed performance dashboards, supporting executive presentations.
  • Provide practical, strategic and tactical Retail Business Consulting in the following Areas of Expertise:
    • Asset Analytics & Insights Product Profitability Strategy Expert with proven results for defining and implementing retail category profitability strategies. Defined and delivered category-specific product profitability road maps across the retail front store chain.
    • Expert in developing, implementing and managing space planning to optimize space productivity in all store locations through POG, Floor Planning and space allocation recommendations.
    • Store Operations, Leadership, Training, Succession Planning, Business Development, Budgeting, Expense Control, Strategic Planning, Project Management, New Store Openings, Store Remodels, Prototyping, Loss Prevention, Communications, Logistics, Supply Chain
    • Visual Merchandising, Store Design & Layouts, Planograms, In-Store Set-up and Presentation Standards, Strategic Merchandising, Point of Purchase (POP), Event Planning, Vendor Shops,Category Management
    • Salvage and recycling of end of life donated goods at donation centers like Goodwill and Salvation Army. What exactly happens to items once they are donated and how much of donated items are thrown away.
    Key topics:
    1. What is the general/standard process for donations?
    2. What is the typical donation life cycle?
    3. How does the donation process differ for items? What happens to items once they are donated?
    4. What is the percentage of donated items that are put on-shelf versus thrown away?
    5. Are there any frustrations with donations?
    6. What is the number of items taken in each year?
    7. What is the number/weight/percentage of items that ultimately need to be thrown away? (X million/tons/percentage, etc.)
    8. What is the typical cost to throw items away, if any?

INDEPENDENT RETAIL OPERATIONS / DESIGN STRATEGIST

DESIGNING AND EXECUTING BLUEPRINTS FOR PROFITABLE CHANGE
Since April 2014
United States
  • Category Manager, Regional Field Management, Director or Retail Consultant in CPG, retail, consulting, merchandising, category management or consumer manufacturing sectors, seeking a new opportunity.

    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Strategic Consulting
    Consulted with Advanced Veterinary Care on merchandising strategies for retail product.
    • Provided MAPS (Merchandising, Assortment, Pricing and Shelving) insights to Vet Clinic
    • Offered guidance on sequencing and priorities
    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Strategic Consulting
    Consulted with major retailer on their omni channel platforms to identify new approaches and solutions.
    • Identified inconsistencies of product instock information between platforms resulting in lost sales.
    • Discovered stock shortage on product priced differently on line and picked up instore incurring operational inventory loss.
    • Analyzed communication of delivery status on online orders and advised that timing of communication and inaccurate shipping information was not creating confidence in the shopping experience.

    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Strategic Consulting
    Consulted with Riesbecks foods on MAPS for hot beverage category
    • Provided shopper/category/brand insights on coffee/ tea category including product depth and shelf space

    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Strategic Consulting
    Consulted with major sporting goods vendor on presentation and assortment improvement ideas with Target to improve planogram productivity.
    • Lead strategic direction for retailer and vendor by providing insights for current business and future opportunities.

    MENTORING | Career Consulting
    • Provided executive coaching for leaders in transition. Mentored from career decision making advice to interviewing, job search training and Linkedin training.

    INTERIOR DESIGN | Consulting
    Advanced Veterinary Care
    • Selected interior finishes and design architectural elements for veterinary clinic
  • Resource for management and implementation of the latest technology and industry best practices.

    Strong understanding of data mining, testing and modeling, and providing actionable insights based on data trends.

    Using skills, experience and talents to provide groundbreaking thinking and visionary goals.

    Provide practical, strategic and tactical Retail Business Consulting in the following Areas of Expertise:

    • Store Operations, Leadership, Training, Succession Planning, Business Development, Budgeting, Expense Control, Strategic Planning, Project Management, New Store Openings, Store Remodels, Prototyping, Loss Prevention, Communications, Logistics, Supply Chain

    • Visual Merchandising, Store Design & Layouts, Planograms, In-Store Set-up and Presentation Standards, Strategic Merchandising, Point of Purchase (POP), Event Planning, Vendor Shops,
    Category Management
  • Directed strategic initiatives and lead teams in all aspects of logistics and facilities, including:
    Salvage / recycling, outlet retail stores, secondary market sales, production standards and donation acquisition processes, green-initiatives and facilities maintenance / improvements.

    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Oversaw the operational and strategic direction of donated goods logistics, salvage, recycling, Outlet retail stores, and donation logistics, exceeding organizational goals, including finding creative solutions to mitigate waste.
    • By reusing donated reusable, plastic and paper bags all retail locations have stopped purchasing plastic bags saving over $100,000 YTD.

    DEVELOP AND DELIVER CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES | Drove the overall reporting and analytics strategy to support the Logistics and Facilities Teams
    • Managed team that developed a Daily Inventory tool for all DC’s. This guides production through the outlet / presort and salvage recycling operations
    • Identified operational improvement opportunities by creating a Retail stores site matrix that tracked current lighting / signage and Paint schemes to improve decisions for store change (remodel/refresh) execution.

    BUILDING COALITIONS FOR CHANGE | Waste Diversion
    • Developed internal and external communication tools for outreach of Goodwill's overall Trash reduction Strategies. Partnered with marketing on highlighting all green initiatives in the aftermarket division.
    • Lead tours with numerous county and Recycling organization representatives to highlight our diversion efforts and recycling programs.
    • Advocated and lobbied for tax rate reductions by educating stakeholders on Goodwill's multilevel approach to reduce waste and drive reuse and recycling initiatives, resulting in reduced costs and providing more revenue for job training programs. Guest speaker at the Ramsey County solid Waste Advisory Committee.
  • Direct strategic initiatives in all aspects of the division’s logistics, salvage/recycling and donation acquisition process to meet or exceed corporate goals. Supports retail operations and other corporate divisions to achieve organizational goals and initiatives.

    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Developed, lead, and supported the strategic plan for the Transportation and Distribution Organization, driving overall logistics cost savings.
    • Reduced Storage trailer needs by 50% by focusing on the processing and sale of Salvage and Recyclable aftermarket commodities
    • Developed a warehouse inventory tool to provide weekly inventory

    DEVELOP AND DELIVER CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES | Directed implementation of continuous improvement activities throughout the retail division
    • Identified opportunities to reduce inefficiencies throughout the retail operation that reduced costs, improved profit and created an environment conducive to maximum production.
    • Performed studies of processes to determine opportunities for waste reduction.
    • Collaborated cross-functionally across the organization to drive business decisions and advance long-term value creation.

    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Partnered with Retail stores and Divisional teams to ensure retail backroom execution meets Goodwill’s efficiency standards.
    • Provided guidance on accurate replenishment percentages, inventory max levels, productivity, and truck schedules.
    • Supported the field to ensure backroom is optimally aligned for maximum efficiency as seasonality and inventory needs require. Worked as the liaison between merchant and supply chain partners on communication and execution accountability.
    • Managed the processes, design and procedures regarding retail backroom operations. Partnered with Retail Directors and Supply Chain to develop operational standards, training initiatives and SOPs. Updated all production room layouts to improve productivity and profitability.
  • Lead strategic initiatives to support incoming donations and the processing of those donations, pre-sorting operations of donated goods, store backroom efficiencies for donations flow, inventory control, analysis of efficiencies for stores processing areas, yield testing of donations, analysis of business and documentation of operating procedures.

    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Off-season / Category Overstock Production Room change
    • Identified sales opportunity by sorting off-season and category overstocks to be sold through outlets versus being sold by the bale and sourced overseas.
    • This process change resulted in a 1400% increase in sales per pound

    BUILDING COALITIONS FOR PROFITABLE CHANGE | IMPROVED E-COMMERCE CHECK-IN PRODUCTIVITY BY 30%
    • Conducted analysis and project work to explore future supply chain capabilities to support e-commerce.
    • Led cross functional team to improve efficiency of E- commerce division. Implemented and communicated a new best practice to increase Store transfer check-in speed by 30%, allowing for faster posting of online auction items and driving sales.

    ASSESSED AND DEVELOPED FIELD TOOLS TO IMPROVE MERCHANDISE OPERATIONS
    • Developed new follow-up tool to improve accountability with personalized notifications and reminders to the field team.
    • Improved execution of pricing initiatives by 90% across 45 store region

    GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | Outlet table fill and rotation strategy
    • Identified opportunity to increase table fill by 50% and rotate slower categories quicker.
    • The strategy resulted in each DC being able to process 25 incremental trailers per year and comp sales increases of 22 basis points in each outlet
  • Managed staff of 450 Sales Associates, 40 Team Leaders and 18 Assistant Managers in the #3 volume sales store in chain with over $110 million in annual sales. Accountable for overall operations, merchandising, project leadership, employee performance, sales and profits.
  • BUILDING COALITIONS FOR PROFITABLE CHANGE
  • Selected as stores representative on company NOP taskforce. Identified store non-planogram merchandise, researched causes, and developed strategies to reduce and prevent future issues. Reduced nonproductive inventory to historic lows and increased open to buy dollars, improving stocks and driving sales.
  • GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT | IMPROVED PERISHABLE MERCHANDISE PROFITABILITY BY 20%
  • Led cross functional team to improve profitability of perishable departments. Identified merchandise selection, cross merchandising opportunities, and waste improvement reduction areas, enabling profitability improvements of 5-20% across 300+ stores.
  • EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS | CREATED SUSTAINABLE ROAD MAP TO REDUCE SHORTAGE ACROSS REGION
  • Managed group (70 stores) as stock shortage captain. Reduced stock shortage by 5 basis points across group by training business partners and developing a process to increase visibility and accuracy of stockroom inventory.
  • AWARDS | MERCHANDISING, OPERATIONS, TEAM LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIPS
  • Awarded numerous HQ partnership awards for collaborating with Merchandising and operational groups to improve category sales or operational efficiencies.
  • Chosen to receive Group MVP and regional awards for Leadership and Team Focused Scheduling (2012).
  • Received regional awards for Great Work life balance and Accessories and Attachment Rate improvements (2011).
  • Responsible for day to day store operations, including scheduling, training, and supervising employees and assistant manager. Managed the store profits, and all controllable expenses including labor, inventory levels, and cash and inventory shortages.
    • Successfully drove operational improvements in a inner city store location. Improved sales, shortage and service.
    • Managed training and development store where all district training assessments were completed.
  • Remotely managed a regional field staff of 16 employees implementing merchandising follow-up best practices across 800+ stores and targeted focus stores.
  • LED DISTRICT AND STORE MANAGEMENT ENTERTAINMENT STRATEGY
  • Traveled nationally to meet with customers and deliver clear company messages on merchandising initiatives.
  • CREATED ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENTS
  • Analyzed usage patterns to gain insight into customer use of company products and services.
  • ASSESSED AND DEVELOPED FIELD TOOLS TO IMPROVE MERCHANDISE OPERATIONS
  • Created visit guide scoring system and reference guide for field teams to assess and teach store teams how to improve sales and profits.
  • FIELD LIAISON FOR NEW PRODUCTS AND SET STRATEGY
  • Partnered with Divisional GMs, Divisional Merchandise Managers, Buyers, and Planning and Allocation to define opportunities and provide input regarding evaluation and analysis of new merchandising programs in test stores and markets. Recommended appropriate action in response to evaluations.
  • AWARDS | ONLINE OPERATIONS DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
  • Awarded Senior VP Award for creating operational tools that stores could use to report issues to HQ (2004).
  • Managed staffs of 30-250 Sales Associates, 8-40 Team Leaders and 6-18 Assistant Managers in various stores ranging in annual sales from $20 million to $80 million. Accountable for overall operations, merchandising, project leadership, employee performance, sales and profits.
  • BUILDING COALITIONS FOR CHANGE | GROCERY
  • Chosen to be the grocery consultant for first wave of Super Targets opening in the Twin Cities. Provided consultation regarding remodels and trained managers through Grand Openings.
  • GENERATING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE SALES AND PROFIT
  • Selected for two turnaround store assignments and drove operational and merchandising standards to at or above company guidelines.
  • FACILITATING CONTINUAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS | BEST PRACTICE | NEXT PRACTICE
  • Used existing logistics systems to create a process to improve productivity / safety and reduce reliance on off-site warehouses.Educated regional staff on process and next steps for action.
  • AWARD | LOW VOLUME STORE PROFITABILITY
  • Collaborating with HQ teams on merchandise selection and inventory reduction to drive profitability in small market stores (1993).

Store Manager | Training Manager, Streamlined Operations

Food and Fuel Stores
January 1987 to 1989
  • Responsible for day to day store operations, including scheduling, training, and supervising employees and assistant manager. Managed the store profits, and all controllable expenses including labor, inventory levels, and cash and inventory shortages.
  • Successfully drove down inventory by 40% by holding vendors accountable
  • Improved profitability by 20%
  • Responsible for day to day store operations, including scheduling, training, and supervising employees and assistant manager. Managed the store profits, and all controllable expenses including labor, inventory levels, and cash and inventory shortages.
    • Successfully drove operational improvements in a inner city store location. Improved sales, shortage and service.
    • Managed training and development store where all district training assessments were completed.
  • Responsible for store sets and displays. Coordinated seasonal transitions and sales. Ordered merchandise to enhance store selection and sales
Skills

Visual Merchandising

  • Space Planning
    Expert
  • Cross Merchandising
    Expert
  • Signing
    Expert

MERCHANDISE PRESENTATION SPACE STRATEGY

  • Merchandising
    Expert
  • Planograms
    Expert
  • Assortment
    Expert
  • Shelving
    Expert

Process Improvement

  • Prototyping
    Expert
  • Generating Solutions to Drive Sales and Profit
    Expert
  • Innovation Catalyst
    Expert

Supply Chain Optimization

  • Inventory Management
    Expert
  • NOP Reduction
    Expert
  • Stockroom organiztion
    Expert
  • Shortage Reduction
    Expert

Others

  • Team Leadership
  • Sales
  • Leadership
  • Merchandise Planning
  • Customer Service
  • Big Box
  • Retail
  • Strategy
  • Hiring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross-functional Team Leadership
  • Driving Sales Performance
  • P&L
  • Training
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Management
  • Retail Sales
  • Multi-unit
  • Recruiting
  • Creativity
  • Merchandising
  • Store Operations
  • Driving Results
  • Loss Prevention
  • Profit
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Inventory Control
  • Inventory Management
  • Planograms
  • Performance Management
  • Shrinkage
  • P&L Analysis
  • P & L Ownership
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Retail Category Management
  • Store Management

Data visualization consultant

  • Advanced
Education

Leaders Edge

Career Partners International - Executive Training

The Leader’s Edge is designed for Director to C-Level leaders who are ready to engage in a highly participative, fun leadership development experience to achieve their next level of effectiveness. Participants will include CPI Twin Cities’ Executive Forum group, along with others from a wide variety of industries and job functions, from Finance to HR, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and more.

Bachelor of Science (BS)

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

September 1983 to June 1989
Geography Urban Studies
Interests

Others

  • Coaching baseball, reading,hiking, vacationing with family
  • Category Management, Regional Field Management, Retail Consulting
  • Merchandising, Prototyping, Strategic, Operational Planning , Category Analysis, Customer Service, Satisfaction, Inventory Management, Team, Employee Development, P&L, Resource Management, Strategic Business Analysis, Revenue Optimization, New Program Pilots, Process Improvement, Creativity, Outside the box, Entrepeneur, Intrapeneur
Resume created on DoYouBuzz
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