Julia L. Knecht820 Lakeview Drive #71

Shelbyville, Ky 40065knechtjulia@ymail.com

515.865.7843

Consistent achievements as a successful manager, increasing revenues and profits utilizing businessdevelopment, relationship building, focused training, strategic planning and marketing techniques.Experience in staff development and operations management to drive and deliver profitable results.

Core Professional StrengthsStaff Management Human Resources Policies and ProceduresRetail Sales Management Business Need EvaluationsOperations and Location Management

Professional Experience and Accomplishments

Macy’s , Oxmoor Mall, Louisville, KYFine Jewelry Sales Executive

Directly responsible for the management of 20 Fine Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry team members, with sales collectively of $5 million/year

Directly responsible for entire location management as Executive in Charge, 258 employees. Entire location $65 million.

Responsible for customer focused sales driving and selling, meeting sales goals through employee coaching and development by executing Macy’s initiatives.

Review and utilize all reports, implement action plans focusing on deficient areas, identifying key sellers and partnering with the Merchandising team to ensure accurate product placement.

Review associate scorecards, focusing on continued ongoing training and recognition. Recruit a team of selling focused associates, building a bench for future promotions. Directly responsible for leading special vendor events throughout the fall season. Levian event total sales $84k Effy event total sales $39k Work directly with Loss Prevention to manage product loss. Recent Inventory result at 1.09%

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Shelbyville and Frankfort, KY and Indianapolis, INRetail Manager, 2008 – Present

Manage store opening operations, including staff hiring, training, evaluation and scheduling. Handle budget planning and tracking, accounting and payroll, profit and loss accountability Coordinate inventory control, receiving; merchandising and store maintenance. Direct loss prevention initiatives, successfully reducing shrinkage by 11% year-to-date. Led store to rank in top 100 locations from a national region of 310 locations. Achieved the highest sales growth in district with 4% increase. Manager of the Year Recipient for District, 2010.

Lane Bryant, Richmond, INStore Manager, 2007 – 2008

Established sales goals, managed budgets and devised sales forecasting. Maximized sales and profitability of assigned areas through execution of company programs.

Responsible for personnel management, inventory control and store operations. Worked with store leaders to ensure merchandise presentation changes aligned with corporate plan.

Dillard’s, Richmond, INArea Sales Manager, 2005 – 2007

Directly responsible for the management of 20 sales associates in three departments. Was accountable for inventory control, increasing sales and profitability. Achieved annual sales goals in all departments by utilizing creative merchandising

techniques, Customer service training and profitable advertising campaigns. Set performance expectations, provided feedback and improved employee retention. Promoted positive vendor relationships.

Wells Fargo, West Des Moines, IAProcessing Supervisor, 2003 – 2004 / Senior Customer Service Work Director, 2001 – 2003 / HumanResources Specialist, 2001 / Recovery Specialist, 1998 – 2000

Responsible for the management of 15 team members in a mortgage production and servicing function. Conducted job performance reviews, staff hiring, training and operations management. Managed loan processing and closing tasks. Determined business needs and provided proactive responses to agents and employees. Partnered with management staff in the daily supervision and unit management of 45 team members in the Dispute Resolution Department. Responsible for policy and procedure updates, employee training and new hire orientation. Partnered in the development and implementation of a national rewards and recognition program for the Home Equity Group, emphasizing team member recognition, years of service, discounts and events, community service and wellness programs. Presented all program training for the Des Moines team members and onsite management staff. Partnered with contracted vendors to create and managed all website and rewards program Options. Program manual creation and training. Worked directly with customers, attorneys, loan officers and debt management programs negotiating the liquidation of charged-off accounts prior to further legal action. Accurately assessed customer financial situations, negotiating settlements when possible.

EducationWartburg College, Waverly, IowaBachelor of Science, Social Work, 1999