Yolanda Mwai
Goodlettsville
Summary
Highly accomplished and results-driven professional with extensive background in retail industry. Possessing superb communication, interpersonal, leadership, and project management skills. Thrives in challenging environments. Anticipates project needs, discerns work priorities, and meets deadlines with little supervision. Consistently delivers high-quality results. Strong teamwork abilities for effective collaboration. Multitasking skills for handling multiple tasks simultaneously. Keen problem-solving mindset for swift issue resolution. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Well-equipped to excel in any role.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Manager Store Operations
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
04.2018 - Current
- Responsible for leading “end-to-end” initiatives, projects, and/or activities to support Store Operations’ compliance strategy and execution
- Successfully enhanced adherence to DOJ Consent requirements across all stores, resulting in a significant reduction in non-compliance rate from 11% to 5.2%
- Facilitated the decommissioning of Western Union Services in 20,000+ stores by providing thorough support in terms of communication, transition planning, and ensuring minimal disruption to store operations
- Negotiated $200K reduction in Alcohol & Tobacco fines, saving the company substantial financial resources
- Successfully decreased Alcohol & Tobacco fines by 46% and reduced overall violations by 25%
Global Sourcing Project Manager
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
02.2013 - 03.2018
- Support DG Private Brand Managers & Category Buyers by sourcing existing and new merchandise to drive down the IMU and allow for a competitive retail strategy
- Categories Supported: Food, Pet, Seasonal & Core Candy and Snacks, Paper, Cleaning, Hair Accessories and Soap & Shower
- Collaborate with DG and DGGS personnel to coordinate, develop, and monitor vendor activities
- Follow tracking report to assist with identifying supply and supplier issues; assess root cause with associated risk and develop solutions in resolving issues
- Successfully increased the receipts of the food category by $34 Million within a span of two years
- Effectively Managed factory/vendor partnerships in China, Mexico, Thailand, Italy, Spain and Colombia
Assistant/Associate Buyer Housewares
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
01.2008 - 07.2012
- Assisted and supported the Senior Buyer in managing more than 500 daily SKUs distributed across 12 categories in 10,000+ store chain
- Directly responsible for managing sales and margin and developing product assortments using market trend analysis information
- Directly assist Senior Buyer in identifying growth opportunities and risks in assortment out of 12 categories in which Housewares comprised
- Managed a multi-million-dollar Food Storage Category; coordinated inventory, sales planning, forecasting, space planning, OTB, and collaboration with merchandising and operations teams
- International travel to work with vendors and overseas office on development of seasonal programs
Global Compliance Analyst
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
04.2005 - 12.2007
- Established and executed Standard Operating Procedures for all Dollar General QA processes
- Drove the reshaping of Dollar General’s Security Assessment program, which was implemented based on the CTPAT initiative
- Proficiently trained overseas office on how to implement Quality Assurance program for Home Domestics
- Reviewed and analyzed inspection/testing protocols quarterly and update based on internal need and or regulations mandated by CPSC
- Analyzed trends in product/factory failure and make recommendations on how to eliminate
- Evaluated vendor performance as it relates to compliance of Dollar General Business rules
- Tracked vendor compliance of business rules, via Clear Track system, to ensure on-time shipment of goods
- Reviewed all lab test, factory/social audits, security assessments, and inspections to ensure labs and inspection companies are following set protocols and vendors are adhering to DG standards
Quality Control Coordinator (Bureau Veritas Consumer Products)
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
12.2002 - 03.2005
- Worked proactively with Quality Control Manager and Merchandising teams, Testing labs and Inspection offices to directly improve the company's performance by delivering ever-improving value to our customers through increased customer satisfaction and by reducing defective product
- Created and executed QA requirements and procedures for Shoe/Home Domestics vendors
- Managed the cube discrepancy program
- Developed tolerances for softlines used by a third-party inspection company, during measurement audits of all apparel
- Evaluated product packaging and labels to ensure compliance with FTC
- Assisted in gathering sample specs, flat drawings, and softlines testing
- Organized and conducted Quality Assurance workshops for Dollar General softlines vendors
- Validated vendor compliance of business rules and issuance of shipping approvals once all requirements were met
Education
Bachelor of Science - Textile, Merchandising and Design
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Murfreesboro, TN01.2002
Associate of Arts - Fashion Design
BAUDER COLLEGE
Atlanta, GA01.2000
Skills
- Excellent Communication
- Cultural Competence
- Relationship Building
- Negotiation
- Adaptability
- Resilience
- Project management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Project planning and development
- Multi-tasking strength
Professional Development
- Emerging Leadership Program (ELP), Dollar General Professional Development, 2021
- Optimizing Self-Awareness Certificate, Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2024
Timeline
Sr. Manager Store Operations
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
04.2018 - Current
Global Sourcing Project Manager
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
02.2013 - 03.2018
Assistant/Associate Buyer Housewares
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
01.2008 - 07.2012
Global Compliance Analyst
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
04.2005 - 12.2007
Quality Control Coordinator (Bureau Veritas Consumer Products)
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
12.2002 - 03.2005
Associate of Arts - Fashion Design
BAUDER COLLEGE
Bachelor of Science - Textile, Merchandising and Design
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
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