Customer Service Sales

Scott G. Livingston Résumé Page *

Scott G. Livingston

*** **** *** ***** ***********, Ohio 43081

H: 614-***-**** C: 614-***-**** E: abiz1i@r.postjobfree.com

District Sales Manager Retail Operations/Support/Planning Manager

Career Highlighted with Success Driving Entire Scope of Operations in Competitive Retail Environments

Operating Strengths Management Expertise

• Profit/Loss Administration

• Customer Service

• Project Management

• Shipping/Receiving

• Merchandising/Promotion

• Team Building/Leadership

• Sales Presentations

• Staff Supervision

• Relationship Management

• Vendor Negotiations

• Needs Analysis

• Product Introduction

Professional Experience & Achievements

Ben Livingston Enterprises, Inc dba Hallmark Crown Shops … Columbus, Ohio

Privately owned S-Corp operating Hallmark Crown Shops in enclosed regional malls and strip centers; sales volume

reached $7.6 million annually; owned 8 stores during peak of operations.

Director/General Operations Manager/Procurement/Supply Chain Manager (January 1990 – April 2010)

Administered all facets of operations in corporate offices, 6 retail locations and central receiving warehouse (within

flagship store); ensured performance of 90 employees including 80 retail associates, 6 warehouse staff and 3 corporate

office staff.

• Instrumental in guidance of company to highest volume Hallmark Card & Gift specialty chain in Columbus

market (generating over $7 million annually); includes launch and continued operation of million+ dollar

volume store

Throughout entire tenure with company, stores maintained Hallmark Cards, Inc. Gold Crown

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Standards for delivering excellent customer service, maintaining highest levels of Hallmark branded

merchandise, participating in and supporting advertisements and providing inviting store

environment.

• Introduced extremely successful gift lines (several months prior to market competition); included Crocs

(generating $75,000 in sales for 2 stores, 2007); Webkins (bringing in $235,000 in sales to 2 stores, 2007 – 2009);

Beanie Babies (generating $2.4 million in sales for 6 stores, 1996 – 1999); Dreamsicles (bringing in $175,000 to 6

stores, 1990 – 1993); Troll Dolls (generating $160,000 for 6 stores, 1992 – 1993).

• Consistently maintained extremely low staff turnover rates (in comparison with retail industry) through strategy

hiring management from within as well as coaching each store manager on hiring of sales associates.

Elevated development of staff (and increased sales) via use of training videos covering basics for new

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employees through advanced topics including customer service, loss prevention, product knowledge and

holiday promotions and merchandising.

• Led introduction of POS/inventory control program (in collaboration with NCR dealer); system modified

approach to dealing with vendors as well as reduced inventory, increased turns on best selling SKUs and minimized

out of stock situations; revealed issue and reduced theft in certain lines.

Scott G. Livingston Résumé Page 2

• Contained operating costs by consolidating shipping and receiving operations to primary location with largest

warehouse space; enabled sales associates to attend to retail floor versus checking in and tagging shipments as well

as providing location to store fixtures and parts (facilitating seasonal changes).

Implemented POS (Point of Sale) replenishment program connecting warehouse to each individual store

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and enabling distribution of stock based on actual sales as well as simplifying reordering process;

simultaneously eliminated physical inventory counts and improved speed and accuracy of POS.

• Diversified product mix and merchandise stock by strategically purchasing products from over 300 different

vendors via manufacturer sales representatives, attendance at trade shows in Chicago and Atlanta and at local

Columbus Marketplace (wholesale gift showrooms).

• Effectively increased gross margin dollars and increased profits through forecasting and identification of sales

and market trends, appropriate launch of advertising and promotions, elimination of slow moving inventory, and

use of alternative markup formula on products unique to market.

• Reduced advertising and direct mail costs through inclusion of company in premier gift industry buying group,

The Palmer Marketing Group (produces catalog mailed to top customers); orchestrated distribution of advertising

postcards (including birthday recognition and specials generating approximately 30% redemption rate) on several

occasions annually.

• Strategically managed payroll at or below 12% - 13% of sales; maintained expectations through oversight and

approval of store associate work schedules; managed gross margin dollars at 43%-47% of sales.

• Contributed to acquisition of Hallmark Card & Gift Store in Westland Mall; managed store and increased sales

volume 75% (from $785,000 to over $1.3 million).

• Ensured financial integrity of organization through negotiation of lease and rent modifications in 2 locations;

negotiation took place under extremely challenging economic and market conditions.

Saved $93,000 in first year via renegotiation of Eastland Mall location rent agreement; modified

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agreement paying $15,000 monthly to rent flat of 9% of sales; location generated $514,000 in 2005.

Lowered rent of Westland Mall location and saved $120,000 in first year; included change in agreement

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reducing rent to flat $5,000 per month throughout lease term; location generated $504,000 in 2005.

Store Manager(October 1977 – December 1989)

Orchestrated and contributed hands-on to retail operations throughout extremely high-volume store (2,400 square feet)

generating over $1 million in sales; accountable for banking and finances, inventory control, receiving and

merchandising, facility upkeep and maintenance, safety and security, delivery of outstanding customer service, and

hiring/firing/training/scheduling of 15 – 25 employees.

• Improved overall business development within store through contributions to mall merchant association meetings

(voting on mall promotions and advertising).

Education & Professional Development

The Ohio State University … Columbus, Ohio

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Marketing

Training/Seminars

Several Hallmark Advanced Retail Training Seminars

482 Deer Run Court Westerville, Ohio 43081 H: 614-***-**** C: 614-***-**** E: abiz1i@r.postjobfree.com

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