VICTORIA L. GIRARD
2109 East Lawrence Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016
 *  [Send email to request phone number] 65.2955 (H) *  [Send email to request phone number] 89.7524 (C)
Team Leader / Marketing Manager
Market Analysis  /  Turnaround Management  /  Profit Optimization
Territory Expansion  / National Retail Operations  /  Revenue Growth /Customer
Service Excellence
Profit-driven manager leveraging talents in directing successful merchandising,
staff supervision, and operations for multimillion-dollar national retail chains
to lead marketing and advertising initiatives. Highly skilled in analyzing market
trends, crafting innovative promotional campaigns, positioning retail products to
move, and driving brand awareness and customer traffic to increase sales and
profit margins. Excellent planning, organizational, and project implementation
capabilities, with extensive experience coordinating multiple tasks, while
holding full P&L accountability. Solid leadership, team building, training, and
staff development abilities to ensure consistent top performance and
advancement.
Marketing and Management Strengths:
 * Strategic Program Planning & Implementation
 * Market Analysis & Strategies
 * Marketing & Promotional Initiatives
 * Sales Promotions / Campaigns
 * Visual Merchandising / Product Display
 * Customer Acquisition / Relations
 * P&L Accountability / Budget Administration
 * Quality Customer Service
 * Staff Training & Development Programs
 * Recruiting, Team Building & Leadership

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

COST PLUS WORLD MARKET - Phoenix, AZ
District Manager (2000 to 2009)
Provided leadership and oversight in all aspects of merchandising and sales to
ensure profitability for leading specialty retailer of casual home living and
entertaining products with 296 stores in 33 states.
Charged with directing day-to-day operations, logistics, and visual
merchandising in four different districts, throughout New Mexico, Nevada, and
Arizona and Crafted strategic business plans and budgets, with full P&L
accountability, to meet business objectives and sales goals with annual revenues
running between $59-72MM. Analyzed market trends, forecasted selling trends,
developed and implemented marketing initiatives, sales programs, and
merchandising strategies to optimize store layout, drive traffic, and fuel
district sales. Hired, trained, led, and developed team of as many as 16 General
Managers. Ultimately responsible for, and motivated as many as 300 employees to
improve individual and store performance, ensuring excellent customer experience
and service. Monitored and tracked store performance, reporting periodically to
senior management.
 * Set record as only District Manager to exceed sales targets four years in a
row, FY 2000 through FY 2004.
 * Spearheaded Arizona marketing plan, partnering with local TV station to
script and produce spots with tips on gift giving and entertaining for morning
show program during third and fourth quarters to promote brand awareness, build
customer traffic, and raise sales.
 * Turned around underperforming Las Vegas market within first year, generating
positive 12% sales from a former negative 10-12% to support growth for opening a
third store.
 * Led poorly producing, logistically and visually challenged Santa Fe location
from losses averaging between 12-20% to a positive 15% with Albuquerque store
achieving $9.5MM in sales volume to place second companywide and supporting
launch of a second store in Albuquerque.
 * Achieved lowest General Manager turnover rate companywide in FY 2005 and FY
2006.
 * Conducted leadership seminars across all management hierarchies to establish
well-trained team prepared for advancement.

Store Manager / Assistant Manager (1994 to 2000)
Rapidly promoted within five months of hire to manage daily operations in four
Phoenix area stores with sales ranging from $2.2MM to $5.8MM annually. Hired,
trained, and developed all staff in each location and orchestrated all aspects of
opening new store. Applied merchandising, sales, leadership, and management
expertise to meet and surpass budget and profitability targets at all locations.
Collaborated with inventory analysts to evaluate market and departmental selling
trends for each store and establish models for optimum product mix. Contributed
to corporate committees on restructuring of customer service and HR guidelines.
 * Created and implemented more efficient procedures for receiving all direct
store orders that has since been instituted as company policy.
 * Triggered increase in sales revenues between 6-18% at each of the existing
four locations and surpassed sales target at new location by an average of 20%
within the first year.
 * Conceptualized and introduced innovative training strategy for new employees
that was adopted in 1998 and continues to be updated and used as primary training
tool throughout company.
 * Successfully mentored and developed four assistant managers to become store
managers over five year period.
WHOLE FOODS MARKET - San Antonio, TX
Gourmet Department Buyer / Team Leader (1993 to 1994)
Designed, opened, and managed wine and gourmet department for new location of
world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods, with stores throughout
North America and the United Kingdom.
Rapidly accelerated sales of extensively stocked wine department during opening
months; subsequently promoted to Team Lead position. Supervised staff of seven,
collaborating on all buying decisions for cheese, beer, wine, chocolates, and all
gourmet items. Triggered increased departmental sales by organizing and
delivering series of educational tastings on pairing and matching foods and
wines.
 * Achieved and surpassed weekly target margins with wine sales exceeding all
stores nationwide within first four months.
 * Presented analysis and recommendations on buying and setting for future store
openings to President/CEO.
WOODSTOCK FARMER'S MARKET - Woodstock, VT
Director of Operations / Vice President of Board of Directors (1990 to 1993)
Developed concept and started up highly profitable, independently-owned gourmet
specialty market in upscale Vermont community. (www.woodstockfarmersmarket.com)
Conducted all industry and market research and devised strategic media and
advertising campaigns to launch "top-of-the-line" marketing theme. Hired and
supervised staff, including two Culinary Institute chefs to oversee prepared food
operation, as well as market clerks and horticulturist. Inventoried over 300
grocery items, featured fresh produce, seafood, bakery and prepared foods, as
well as local produce and game such as venison, quail, turkey, and free range
chicken when available. Oversaw large seasonal greenhouse operation. Consulted
and negotiated with suppliers on shipping, delivery, and best pricing.
** Additional experience as  Beverage Director for Ritz Carlton Hotel
Company.**
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Science in International Agricultural Business
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - Tempe, AZ
Dean's List Senior Year
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Studies

University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, MN