Innovative executive experienced in nearly all aspects of retailing with
significant skills transferable to many other leadership roles. Extensive
operations, buying, merchandising, marketing, supply chain, systems, and
analytical business planning experience with a reputation for being decisive, a
skilled negotiator, driven to action. Frequently promoted or recruited for
consistently exceeding objectives, problem solving abilities, creativity,
collaboration with other team leaders, exemplary communication, organization, and
planning skills. Always uses the latest technology to create tools that aid in
making informed decisions and analyze emerging trends. Key skills include:
Innovative, Skilled negotiator, Team Player, Systems & Technology, Strategic,
Results focused, Excellent Communicator, Problem solver, Analytical,
Multi-Tasking, Extensive skill set, Resourceful, Organized, Visionary
Computer skills: Proficient in all standard and many non-standard business
software products, including the Microsoft Office Suite. Competent in
programming with most Visual Basic standards. Detailed specifics available on
request.
Professional Experience
Smart & Final Stores, LLC, Commerce, CA (1988 –2009)
Director of Planning and Analysis ( 2007 – 2009)
Managed the systems and developed the tools, processes and procedures, for much
of the reporting and performance indicators for upper management, district
managers, category managers, and stores.
• Created a weekly store labor tracking instrument to manage a $90 million labor
budget which resulted in store labor improvement of .40bps in its first eighteen
months.
• Managed the entire $1.8 billion annual budget process overseeing three
directors and twelve category managers to project key financial metrics, by week,
across 250 product subcategories.
• Developed geographic and graphic reports using GIS mapping technology that
depicted numerous store attributes including ring study analysis,
cannibalization, consumer buying patterns, and potential sites.
• Assigned as project manager to oversee the deployment of the first new pricing
system in over 25 years.
Director of Store Operations Services (2001 – 2007)
Promoted into store operations to develop this position which required an
outgoing, highly organized, and innovative decision maker with extraordinary
multi-tasking skills and exemplary communication abilities.
• Developed a highly innovative sales program with the City of Los Angeles that
increased purchases by more than $1 million in its first year which was a 27%
increase over prior year..
• All new and changing programs and procedures were reviewed and approved before
being deployed to the operations group which consisted of 245 stores, over 3,500
associates, fourteen district managers, and three regional vice presidents This
provided consistency in format of communications, and virtually error free
introductions, which built confidence and credibility to each program launch
ultimately saving managers time and making them far more efficient in the
execution of programs.
• Architected numerous portal based tools to increase accuracy and efficiency
including a “real time” store budget system, the first ever store operations and
procedures manual, and promotional ordering system.
Director of Buying, Category Management, and “Plus” Stores (1998 – 2001)
Managed a staff of 25 buyers and assistant buyers, and one director which
required creating a vision to eventually convert to “Category Management”. This
intensive environment required careful management of multi-unit warehouse and
store inventory levels, fill rates, sales, and promotional planning in all
product categories including dry groceries, frozen, perishables, and non-foods.
• Demanded experienced strong negotiating skills, capable of forging strong
relationships with executives of national brand companies in retail and
commercial products and demonstrated “real world” examples for buyers to add to
their skill set . Primary areas of negotiation focused on reducing cost of
goods, incremental promotional funds, rebates for exceeding targeted purchase
levels, and in some cases funds for new programs, or assistance in the
transition from a competitors product .
Ron Jensen Page 2
• During this formative period sales were increased over 10% and discretionary
income bolstered by 18%, while streamlining assortments by discontinuing nearly
800 items resulting in reduced company inventories and increasing distribution
center efficiencies.
• Developed new processes which improved advertising effectiveness by making
informed decisions through analyzing market basket share resulting in product
lift of over 500% in some instances.
• Used the results learned from our 16 store “Plus Store” format division to
introduce several new categories which produced incremental sales of more than
$50 million in the first year.
Team Member – Concept Development Team (1997 - 1998)
Hand picked by the C.E.O. to be part of a team with three other persons to
develop new concepts, directions, and ultimately a new store format by analyzing
emerging trends and other industries.
• Developed an Access “Idea-Base” database to archive research and catalog ideas
submitted from throughout the company.
• Through field research, focus groups, and customer interviews, many new
concepts were developed and implemented including the successful launch of a
completely new store format – the “Plus Store” division.
• The team was consulted and made recommendations to the executive board
regarding the acquisition of a wholesale grocery chain operating over 40
locations and annual sales exceeding $300 million.
Director of Buying Systems (1995 – 1997)
Managed three departments including pricing, rebates, and special orders while
overseeing ongoing enhancements to the buying and pricing systems.
• Significantly improved department efficiencies and decision making through the
development of PC based tools and concepts for system enhancements.
• Developed a pricing strategy for more than 100 stores that resulted in an
increase to profit margins of more than .50bps
Buyer – Paper/Disposables, Candy, Food Service Equipment, and Tobacco (1988 –
1995)
Managed the ongoing operations and made decisions about product assortment,
promotional planning, inventory levels and turns, freight costs, and negotiated
cost improvements.
• Significantly increased the private label disposables business, adding more
than 100 new items and increasing annual sales nearly 15% over three consecutive
years.
• Launched the new “Party Goods” category which contributed incremental sales
exceeding $20 million with profit margins that averaged 45%.
• Pioneered a new marketing concept by partnering with suppliers that eventually
became the single largest revenue generator of advertising funds for the company
across all departments for the next 6 years.
Prior Professional Experience
Extensive experience in buying and importing consumer product categories for
major retailers. Frequently recruited by outside retailers for having a sterling
reputation as a powerful negotiator and skilled business professional.
Education
USC, Marshall School of Business, Los Angeles, CA
Food Industry Executive Management Program
Certificate of Completion
Mesa Community College, Kearny Mesa, CA
General Courses
Palomar Community College, San Marcos, CA
Telecommunications
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