Derek Keefe
Murfreesboro
Summary
Experienced multi-unit manager skilled in directing and enhancing operations through motivational strategies and policy enforcement. Proficient in industry best practices, market trends, and regulatory requirements. Talented leader with an analytical approach to business planning and problem-solving on a daily basis.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
Dollar General
Murfreesboro, TN
09.2024 - Current
- Supervised various locations, enforcing high-quality standards of operation.
- Promoted a high potential Store Manager to Training Store Manager
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures as well as federal/state regulations by conducting regular audits of operational practices at each location within the district.
- Received Divisional recognition for training and people development
- Oversaw successful store openings, coordinating logistics, staffing, training, and promotional efforts to ensure smooth transitions for new locations.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction, conducting regular store visits to ensure compliance with service standards.
Store Manager
Ulta Beauty Inc.
Murfreesboro, TN
04.2024 - 09.2024
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
- Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for staff members, providing constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
Store Director
Target
Smyrna, TN
06.2022 - 04.2024
- Directly responsible for leading the daily operations of a $78M Super Target
- Supervises 5 Executive Team Leaders, 18 Team Leaders and staff of approximately 200 hourly employees trained in various areas of expertise
- Hired 2 and promoted 1 Team Lead to improve operational effectiveness
- Collaborated with other Store Directors on regional initiatives aimed at increasing brand presence in local markets.
- Improved order fulfillment accuracy from not in store rate of 14% to 8% across all delivery formats
- Improved Guest Satisfaction Scores from overall satisfaction of 48% to a high of 73%
- Mentor to an Executive Team Lead within the district to support their growth and desire for promotion
- Exceeded company targets consistently through proactive monitoring of KPIs and execution of corrective action plans when needed.
Manager of Loss Prevention
Cracker Barrel
Lebanon, TN
07.2021 - 05.2022
- Trained loss prevention staff, retail managers and store employees on loss control and prevention measures
- Managed the Regional Loss Prevention Managers through their field responsibilities
- Performed thorough cash audits and deposit investigations
- Supervised surveillance, detection and criminal processing related to theft and criminal cases
- Monitored paperwork procedures to prevent error-related losses
- Generated comprehensive reports documenting evidence of attempted theft and recovered merchandise
- Designed a new "High Shrink Reduction" protocol for stores with high shrink, or other high losses
District Manager
Cracker Barrel
Columbus, OH / Lebanon, TN
08.2015 - 07.2021
- Selected to lead part of the “Fusion” initiative to create cohesion between retail and restaurant operations
- Oversaw the operation of 18 Retail Stores, achieving $20.8m in annual sales collectively
- Flagship District, market includes the Home Office store and the field test store
- Responsible for achieving metric goal, including achieving sales plan for Fiscal Year 2019, Conversion Plan for Fiscal years 2018 and 2019, Shrink for Fiscal Year 2019, Average Dollar per Sale for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019
- Participate in multiple company roll outs and initiatives including: the launch of new POS system, new manager training platform, new retail sales model, Loss Prevention initiatives, and innovative retail fixture package
- Work closely with multiple Home Office Departments to ensure consistency from the field to the office
- Promoted 3 internal candidates to the position of Retail Manager, and 1 candidate from Retail Manager to District Manager
- Participated in multiple committees, including leading a Holiday Hindsight review board, and a Loss Prevention interviewing committee to hire and place 2 Loss Prevention Managers
- Received recognition for Operational Excellence for Fiscal Year 2019
- Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets
- Recruited and retained top talent, with focus on completing timely performance evaluations, providing positive feedback and rewarding superior performance
Retail Manager
Cracker Barrel
Linthicum, MD
06.2013 - 07.2015
- Retail Manager of the Year for the District for Fiscal Year 2015
- Responsible for daily operations of $1.5M retail store front
- Reached 125% of Sales Goal for first year of operations
- Participated in the Masters of Cracker Barrel Business Program 2014
- Trained and certified three Retail Shift Leaders and two Merchandise Handlers
- Seed Store for company roll out of Effective Shift Management 2014
- Exhibited excellent people skills during interaction with employees and customers.
- Recruited, hired and trained 40 associates to develop productive team with excellent product knowledge
- Implemented daily operating procedures to keep store clean, adequately stocked and well-organized
- Developed new store location from ground up by hiring and training high-level team
Store Manager / Training Manager
Guess Jeans
Linthicum, MD
12.2011 - 05.2013
- Responsible for daily operations of $2.5M retail store front
- 16% sales increase over Last Year comparable sales
- 34%+ Contribution rate YTD for fiscal 2012
- Manager of the Year for District in 2012
- Hired and trained two full-time Co-managers and two Assistant Managers
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices, bringing annualized shrink down from 8.72% to 2.66%
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback
Store Manager / Area Manager
Adidas
Queenstown, MD
02.2010 - 12.2011
- Responsible for daily operations of $2.3M retail store front
- 14% sales increase over Last Year comparable sales
- 25%+ Contribution rate eight out of ten month during fiscal year 2011
- Instituted quality systems within organization encompassing training, corrective and preventive action
- Directed training and retraining of employees to boost performance and enhance business results across a 4 store market
- Communicated best practices across 4 store market, to align efforts and goals
- Estimated expected changes in business operations and made proactive adjustments to employee schedules and inventory levels to address needs
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Account Management
Tusculum College
Greeneville, TN05.2001
Skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Team development
- Mentorship and Leadership training
- Proficient in Microsoft office
- Operations management
- Goal setting and performance metrics
- Problem solving
- Leadership skills
- Recruiting and hiring
- Strategic planning
- Customer service
Timeline
District Manager
Dollar General
09.2024 - Current
Store Manager
Ulta Beauty Inc.
04.2024 - 09.2024
Store Director
Target
06.2022 - 04.2024
Manager of Loss Prevention
Cracker Barrel
07.2021 - 05.2022
District Manager
Cracker Barrel
08.2015 - 07.2021
Retail Manager
Cracker Barrel
06.2013 - 07.2015
Store Manager / Training Manager
Guess Jeans
12.2011 - 05.2013
Store Manager / Area Manager
Adidas
02.2010 - 12.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Account Management
Tusculum College