Crystal Howard

Director, Zara @Inditex

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Led and managed the highest volume ZARA store on the West Coast, responsible for delivering $27 Million annually thru overseeing three departments, seven management-level direct reports and 140 sales associates-During the first year in role, the store performed up three percent comps, met annual shrink goals (-0.50%), ranked number three in the Company (U.S.) for Black Friday sales, managed flat to payroll budgets and improved employee retention rates thru a strong focus on culture and talent development-Responsible for decision making on commerciality to increase top line sales and promote new articles by analyzing article ranking reports. Create product feedback presentations for Merchants to influence current and future purchases. Support Commercial team by planning and executing floor moves-Oversee day-to-day operations of the store, including stockroom organization and processing productivity, cash wrap speed and efficiency and compliance with company policies and core values-Coach and develop direct reports by co-creating action plans that focus on growing their business thru their people. Recruit, interview and offer candidates based on assessing current and future hiring needs. Successfully promoted and trained five managers after carefully assessing key strengths and opportunities and creating strong insights to action thru evaluations. Created and presented an educational guide for in-store training to help aid in the facilitation for new Commercial trainees-Educate sales associates on our customer service model, shrink awareness, operations and the store’s technology to create better in-store shopping experiences-Invited to host and facilitate local recruiting events with efforts to attract new talent to the Brand for open positions.

The Ohio State University

BS, Consumer Marketing