Maria I. Soto8040 New River Dr Apt 1306Orlando, FL 32821407.505.8748msotodvlr3@gmail.com LinkedIn Profile

Excellent communication skills Creative52 WPM typing speed Work well under pressureFluent in English and Spanish Analytical thinkerExceptional attention to detail Excellent interpersonal skillsNatural leader DedicatedAdapt to diverse groups Personnel developmentMerchandising Goal-orientedStrategic thinker FocusedSkilled trainer Effective problem solverMicrosoft Outlook, Word and Excel

Guess Factory / Visual Co-Manager, District Visual LeadJul 2012- PRESENT, Orlando, FLManaged Back of House team for the #1 Store in the North American Region averaging $18M in yearly sales.Used the Visual Merchandising Guide to plan monthly floor sets for 9741 sq. ft store and submitted creative options to stores in District and Region. Audited markdowns and managed store replenishment.Styled window displays and assembled seasonal window elements for 8 windows totaling a minimum of 40 bodyforms.Conferred with store managers weekly to obtain information about customer needs and preferences.Attended Quarterly Top Door management meetings to plan for upcoming Seasons.Established buyer relationships to maintain and support the business.Organized on-site trainings to educate management and sales staff on benefits and care of product lines.Tracked top and bottom departments weekly and made floor moves according to which would have the most impact on sales.Interviewed job candidates for all positions and made staffing decisions.Managed staff of 40 stock/visual associates, 1 team leaders and 2 assistant managers.Hired, trained and evaluated personnel in replenishment, stock process and visual merchandising.Scheduled and led quarterly staff meetings for all employees as well as weekly management meetings.Analyzed profit and loss performance reports.Conducted store inventories twice a year for 60-75,000 units.Developed weekly schedules for 40 employees and 2 assistant managers.Organized and led a 2-day staff orientation and training to promote collaboration.Handled understaffing, disputes, terminating employees and administering disciplinary procedures.Evaluated the effectiveness of training programs and recommended improvements to upper management.Assisted in leading team in New Store Openings and Store Remodels throughout the state and country.Trained beginner and advanced visual merchandising standards to new managers ranging from Assistant Managers to District Managers.Participated in store visits with General Manager, District Manager, Regional Manager, Director of Stores, and Senior Vice President of North America.Conducted weekly walkthroughs with Store Manager and General Manager.

Guess Factory Accessories / Co-Manager, Asst Manager, Sales AssociateAug 2011 -Jul 2012; Jan 2006 - Aug 2009 , Orlando, FL & Central Valley, NYStarted in 2006 as a sales associate and worked my way up in various locations. Network, recruit, hire, develop and retain high quality management and associates to fill store profile and succession planning.Ensure all associates complete training per company guidelines.Lead by example by training, developing and providing ongoing feedback and coaching on product knowledge, selling skills, visual merchandising and delivering the customer experience.Ensure an excellent level of customer service as a priority at all times by executing and achieving the Customer Experience consistently through regular assessment, coaching and follow-up with team.Implement all visual merchandising standards, directives, promotions, and overall cleanliness and organization of the sales floor and stockroom.Meet or exceed profitability expectations for the store in sales, payroll, shrink and conversion.Create and execute strategies to maximize store sales and control expenses.Meet all payroll expectations.Controls company assets by meeting all loss prevention measures.Execute and comply with all company policies and procedures.

Bakers Shoes/ Store ManagerOct 2010 - Sept 2011, Gwinnett County, GAStarted in a low volume location and within 4 months was promoted to the #3 store in our district.Oversaw all aspects of store performance through sales management, operational and personnel functions, as well as store visual aesthetics and environment.Used strong decision quality and discretion in establishing business objectives and strategies.Created and fostered a culture that ensured the customer was the focus of all activities.Maximize store volume and profits in accordance with store/company goals through excellent staffing, superb customer service and attention to detail in a fast paced environment.Ensured service, merchandising, and operational standards were met through company-defined practices and processes.Led talent selection, training, coaching, engagement, retention, and recognition initiatives for all store employees.Addressed poor performance; initiated, administered, and followed up on corrective action for all store employees.Actively sought feedback from the team, peers and leaders.Spent at least 60% of the shift performing Manager on Duty tasks.Planned and promoted the daily schedule of employees and the business; interviewed, hired, scheduled, and disciplined employees.

Forever 21/ Assistant Store Manager to Co-ManagerAug 2009 - Oct 2010, Orange County, NY Ensured all payroll and scheduling plans were followedMotivated employees by example to maintain a great looking and functioning storeManaged according to standard operating proceduresReduced shrink using company tools and resourcesEfficient and timely execution of Visual directivesMaximized merchandising needs while following standardsMerchandise management and flowPromoted the companys fashion forward imageMaintained a clean, neat and organized storeReinforced training to ensure job responsibilities were executedContinually worked to improve individual and team performanceCommunicate to Store Manager obstacles in conduct and performance issueLed by example all customer service standardsEnsured store team was committed to and executed customer service standardsEffective problem solving/decision making to resolve customer issuesRecognition of individual and team customer service achievements

Warwick Valley High/ High School DiplomaSeptember 2003 - June 2004, Warwick, NYRecipient of Aspira Scholarship. ASPIRA is an organization devoted solely to the education and leadership development of Puerto Rican and Latino youth (from the Spanish aspirar, to aspire). ASPIRA has helped over a quarter of a million Aspirantes achieve their potential and contribute to their schools and communities.Member of Aspira Club, Jazz Band, Chorus, Marching Band