Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Accomplishments
SalesAssociate
Sarah-Jane Richards

Sarah-Jane Richards

Midland,WA

Summary

I have worked in Retail and the Fashion industry for 20 years in various aspects of management and in all aspects of the fashion industry such as Manufacturing, Designing and distribution. I have studied Business Management, Visual merchandising, and Fashion design and continually strive to know every aspect of this industry. I have been a highly successful retail manager in a well known fashion retailer for years before stepping down, to be able to focus on furthering my own fashion endeavors.

Furthermore, I have developed the ability to prioritise and multitask, especially during with busy period and under pressure. I am also a fast learner with great interest and willingness to study. My skills and ability will allow me to deliver exceptional customer service that goes beyond expectation, resulting in solid customer loyalty, satisfaction, and referrals.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Duty Manager

TK Maxx
10.2023 - Current
  • Managed inventory and receiving operations to maintain optimal stock levels and meet expected demands.
  • Partnered with merchandising team to plan and execute floor moves, merchandise placement and overall sales set-up.
  • Updated policies to reflect changing conditions and maintain optimal safety standards for all employees.
  • Removed damaged, out-of-code, not-in-set and discontinued items from displays.
  • Inspected merchandise for quality and arranged proper display location on floor.
  • Monitored inventory levels and kept adequate stock in product displays on sales floor.
  • Updated pricing and signage to complete product displays and educate customers.
  • Verified products appeared at correct locations.
  • Answered customer questions regarding store merchandise, department information and pricing.
  • Assembled quarter and full-size point of purchase promotional displays.
  • Planned and coordinated product availability for advertising and promotion purposes.
  • Prepared interesting and innovative visual displays to grab customer interest and promote sales.
  • Worked with managers to optimize promotions.
  • Advanced sales cycle plans by maximizing placement of promotions, point of sale materials and product visibility.
  • Completed seasonal displays, dressed mannequins and arranged in-store displays to showcase available products.
  • Drove client retention, managing engaging merchandise presentation to motivate impulse purchases.
  • Monitored and analyzed sales records and consumer purchasing trends.
  • Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
  • Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
  • Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
  • Trained employees in essential job functions.
  • Supervised and coordinated team to provide guidance and support and maximize performance.
  • Responded to customer concerns by providing friendly, knowledgeable support, and maintaining composure and professionalism.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with customers to increase loyalty, trust and satisfaction.
  • Handled escalated customer issues with diplomacy, ensuring satisfactory resolution while preserving long-term customer relationships.

Department Manager

Kmart Australia
05.2023 - 09.2023
  • Worked actively with management team to create daily and weekly sales plans based on weekly sales trends.
  • Communicated with managers of other departments to maintain transparency.
  • Managed inventory and receiving operations to maintain optimal stock levels and meet expected demands.
  • Partnered with merchandising team to plan and execute floor moves, merchandise placement and overall sales set-up.
  • Updated policies to reflect changing conditions and maintain optimal safety standards for all employees.
  • Removed damaged, out-of-code, not-in-set and discontinued items from displays.
  • Inspected merchandise for quality and arranged proper display location on floor.
  • Monitored inventory levels and kept adequate stock in product displays on sales floor.
  • Updated pricing and signage to complete product displays and educate customers.
  • Verified products appeared at correct locations in proper quantities.
  • Answered customer questions regarding store merchandise, department information and pricing.
  • Assembled quarter and full-size point of purchase promotional displays.
  • Planned and coordinated product availability for advertising and promotion purposes.
  • Prepared interesting and innovative visual displays to grab customer interest and promote sales.
  • Worked with managers and advertising directors to optimize promotions.
  • Advanced sales cycle plans by maximizing placement of promotions, point of sale materials and product visibility.
  • Completed seasonal windows, dressed mannequins and arranged in-store displays to showcase available products.
  • Drove client retention, managing engaging merchandise presentation to motivate impulse purchases.
  • Monitored and analyzed sales records and consumer purchasing trends.
  • Educated employees on new merchandise during seasonal workshops.
  • Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
  • Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
  • Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
  • Raised performance in areas of sales, management and operations by identifying and targeting areas in need of improvement.

Shift Supervisor/Sales Assistant

Pandora Midland Gate
10.2020 - 05.2023
  • Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
  • Delivered exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions.
  • Adhered to social distancing protocols and wore mask or face shield at all times.
  • Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
  • Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
  • Supported loss prevention goals by monitoring shopper behavior.
  • Greeted customers and offered assistance with selecting merchandise, finding accessories and completing purchases.
  • Merchandised attractive shelf displays with current offerings to drive store sales.
  • Maintained weekly sales tracking and leadership reports to support operational enhancement and implement corrective actions.
  • Completed efficient store resets to prepare store for special promotions and seasonal updates.
  • Monitored and replenished display inventory and restructured according to available stock.
  • Managed aesthetically pleasing displays to showcase company products and increase sales.
  • Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.

Store Manager

St Vincent DE Paul Retail Store
01.2021 - 11.2021
  • Maintained high corporate standards at all times by ensuring that employees and volunteers followed all company processes and procedures.
  • Developed loyal and highly satisfied customer base through proactive management of customer service strategies.
  • Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
  • Increased sales by driving operational efficiencies and building excellent customer rapport.
  • Exceeded sales goals and accomplished business objectives by inspiring team and promoting target products.
  • Monitored security and handled incidents calmly.
  • Strengthened merchandising and promotional strategies to drive customer engagement and boost sales.
  • Mentored volunteers in applying effective sales techniques and delivering top-notch customer service.
  • Managed scheduling for store shifts to accomplish proper staffing at all times.
  • Submitted orders for new inventory.
  • Used POS system to process sales, returns, online orders and gift card activations.
  • Balanced and organized cash register by handling cash, counting change and storing coupons.
  • Logged reports, expenses, receipts and sales documents into digital database.
  • Trained new volunteers on cash register operations, including opening, conducting customer transactions and balancing drawer.
  • Adhered to all Covid-19 safety policies and procedures, maintaining a safe environment for all team and customers.

Retail Sales Assistant

Shoe Fun
08.2019 - 03.2020
  • Stock take.
  • Receiving and uploading stock to inventory.
  • Invoicing.
  • Offering product/footwear advice and recommendations to customers based on their specific needs.
  • Performed general cleaning duties.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to multitask and manage time effectively to meet very high demands of busy shoe shop.

General Manager

Cherri Lane
03.2011 - 08.2018
  • Overseeing day to day running of all operations within business.
  • Developing strategy as part of senior leadership team and executing to achieve business growth and development.
  • Driving profitability.
  • Identifying opportunities and formulating plans and systems to reduce costs, improve customer experience, employee productivity and operational efficiency.
  • Organising purchase orders, planning and optimising inventory, maintaining appropriate stock levels and overseeing warehouse efficiency.
  • Maintain local and international supplier relationships and relevant contractual agreements.
  • Role modelling ethical and constructive leadership behaviours.
  • Ensuring high level of customer service and satisfaction.
  • Identifying and managing strategic and operational risks.
  • Aiding organisations processes to remain legally compliant.
  • Identifying areas to improve revenue.
  • Empower team to autonomously strive to deliver higher level of performance and output.
  • Established branding and reputation to international clients.

Fashion Retail Manager

Rockmans Midland Gate Shopping Centre
01.2009 - 01.2013
  • Management of A grade high volume store.
  • Being self motivated individual with ability to drive team.
  • Business management skills with understanding of key performance indicators.
  • Excellent communication skills with professionalism to deal with people at all levels.
  • Maintaining and growing loyalty program.
  • Ensuring targets for store are achieved in areas of sales, wages and stock management.
  • Coaching and mentoring team to achieve their targets as well as developing their skill sets for progression.
  • Implement and maintain visual merchandising concepts and standards within store.
  • Liaise with management on all aspects of store.
  • Mentoring other store managers.
  • Assisting Area manager with various higher management duties.

Store Manager

Bras N Things
09.2010 - 01.2011
  • Certified Bra fitting specialist.
  • Store security.
  • Being self motivated individual with ability to drive team.
  • Business management skills with understanding of key performance indicators.
  • Excellent communication skills with professionalism to deal with people at all levels.
  • Delivering customer excellence.
  • Maintaining and growing loyalty program.
  • Ensuring targets for store are achieved in areas of sales, wages and stock management.
  • Coaching and mentoring team to achieve their targets as well as developing their skill sets for progression.
  • Implement and maintain visual merchandising concepts and standards within store.
  • Liaise with management on all aspects of store.

Education

Diploma - Fashion Design

Stott's Colleges
Online

Certificate II - Fashion Studies

TAFE Queensland
Ashmore Queensland

Certificate II - Clothing Production

Traineeship Management Australia
Brisbane Queensland

Certificate IV - Small Business Management

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast
Southport Queensland

Certificate IV - Visual Merchandising

Seed Skills
Online

Skills

  • Fashion Retail Management
  • Social Media Management
  • Award winning Customer Service
  • Driving Profitability
  • Lingerie Fitting Specialist
  • Highly Computer Literate
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Excellent communication
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • High KPI track record
  • Inventory Management
  • Workplace Health & Safety officer
  • Media, Fashion & Photo styling
  • Cash Handling
  • Quality Control

Timeline

Duty Manager

TK Maxx
10.2023 - Current

Department Manager

Kmart Australia
05.2023 - 09.2023

Store Manager

St Vincent DE Paul Retail Store
01.2021 - 11.2021

Shift Supervisor/Sales Assistant

Pandora Midland Gate
10.2020 - 05.2023

Retail Sales Assistant

Shoe Fun
08.2019 - 03.2020

General Manager

Cherri Lane
03.2011 - 08.2018

Store Manager

Bras N Things
09.2010 - 01.2011

Fashion Retail Manager

Rockmans Midland Gate Shopping Centre
01.2009 - 01.2013

Diploma - Fashion Design

Stott's Colleges

Certificate II - Fashion Studies

TAFE Queensland

Certificate II - Clothing Production

Traineeship Management Australia

Certificate IV - Small Business Management

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast

Certificate IV - Visual Merchandising

Seed Skills

Accomplishments

Rockmans Store of the year – Best operational margin (c grade store) 2011 (Manager)

Global finalist (one of 250 in the fashion Category) in the Shopify 2015 Build a business competition.

National finalist (one of three in the fashion Category) in the 2016 Australian Small Business Champions Awards.

State finalist (one of three in the fashion Category) in the 2017 Belmont Small Business Awards - Fashion.

Sarah-Jane Richards