You are on page 1of 3

BILL COLTON

14950 NW Fawnlily Drive * Portland, OR 97229


(503) 423-7883 * bccbe03c@westpost.net

RETAIL SALES | MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL


Experience leading retail store to flagship status and award-winning ranking in
performance and profitability.
Energetic, client-driven business manager with successful retail career spearhea
ding operations and business development initiatives. Quantifiable successes inc
reasing sales and revenue base through focused marketing campaigns and high-qual
ity customer relations. Strengths in strategic planning, project management, tea
m leadership, customer service, and staff management and training. Comprehensive
experience in all aspects of retail operations. Acknowledged for sharp business
focus, clear communication style, and talent for inspiring performance excellen
ce and team spirit through hands-on operations management. A "can-do" leader, wh
o consistently delivers "above and beyond" for complete customer satisfaction. H
istory of producing added revenues through extensive community involvement. Exem
plify integrity, adaptability, and resilience.
- Customer Service Best Practices - Labor Relations & Staffing - Supplier/Vendo
r Relations
- Employee Management & Scheduling - Staff Training & Motivation - Pricing/Con
tract Negotiations
- Inventory Control/Management - P&L/Financial Tracking - Cash & Records Manage
ment
- Remodels & New Store Openings - Advertising & Promotions - Merchandising/Sche
matics
- Sales Forecasting & Expense Control - Workflow Optimization - Front/Back-End
Logistics

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
COLTON HOME INSPECTIONS, INC., Portland, OR
Provides comprehensive home inspections and reporting throughout the Portland me
tropolitan real estate community.
President & Home Inspector, 2005present
Built company from the ground up into a fully licensed, bonded, and insured home
inspection business with 1,000+ satisfied customers to date. Strategized market
ing and spearheaded action plan rollout to enjoy immediate and significant produ
ctivity and revenue benefits within one year. Full accountability for operations
and services.
Advanced sales by building strong working relationships with real estate profes
sionals and home buyers.
Partnered with team of real estate professionals to develop and direct a first-
time home buyer program that qualified buyers for credit toward the purchase of
a home. Created and delivered PowerPoint presentations.
Led educational workshops that qualified realtors and brokers to earn continuin
g education credits.
BALES THRIFTWAY MARKETPLACE | BALES THRIFTWAY CEDAR MILL MARKETPLACE, Portland,
OR
Locally owned and operated grocery store in affiliation with Unified Grocers Thr
iftway; 155 employees; $20M annual sales revenue. The store name changed after b
eing sold to a private equity investment company in November 2004.
Store Manager, 19882005 | Assistant Manager, 19811988
Managed all aspects of store operations with $20M in retail sales and 155 employ
ees for a 55,000-square-foot store. Directed in-store events/themes and spearh
eaded advertising campaigns using a variety of media, including radio spots, bil
lboards, flyers, banner ads, newspaper ads, and direct mailers. Oversaw records
management, P&L, inventory, and logistics. Forecasted department sales and expen
ses. Purchased display items and products. Authorized store designs and schemati
cs, utilizing product movement analysis reports for enhancements. Performed audi
ts and improved procedures to resolve problems, mitigate shortages, and cut cost
s. Hired department staff and conducted employee reviews. Created and updated em
ployee handbooks and wrote job descriptions for corporate HR.
Accountable for all departments: Grocery, Frozen Package Deli Wine, Health and B
eauty, Floral, Garden, Produce, Meat and Seafood, Service Deli, Bakery, and Post
Office.
BILL COLTON Retail Sales | Management (503) 423-7883 * Page two of two

Retail Operations / Planning:


Developed location into a flagship store as viewed by United Grocers and destin
ation for retailers on tour based on sales successes, top-tier customer service,
departmental improvements, and industry trend setting.
Exceeded national standards in profitability as one of the top producing stores
within the Thriftway Franchise Group for 18 straight years and among the top 5%
in sales throughout tenure.
Transformed underperforming HBC Department. Increased sales volume 1.5% (accoun
ting for 7% of total store volume) with a sustainable sales increase of $3,500 p
er week. Improved margins to 30% through smart purchasing. Reduced labor 20%.
Helped plan and execute a seamless one-day shutdown and relocation by training
and staffing additional employees and moving merchandise to new store location.
Record sales followed the stores relocation.
Negotiated prices and contracts with suppliers and service companies, resulting
in substantial cost savings for goods and services and better efficiencies for
all store departments.
Business Development / Marketing:
Mitigated competition from national "big box" and big store retailers multiple
times with highly targeted, intensive media campaigns of up to 9 months running.
Efforts effectively maintained store volume, sustained market share, and streng
thened the patronage of loyal customers.
Captured 50% sales increase, or $45,000, for the Wine Department in one weekend
(representing 13% of total store volume) by creating one of Oregons foremost pu
blic wine tasting promotions of this magnitude in a grocery store. Signature eve
nt magnetized 600+ visitors per night and continued successfully for 18+ years.
Created, directed, and executed successful company advertising campaigns. Promo
tional expertise was enlisted and capitalized by secondary local Thriftway for g
ains in profitability.
Managed customer relations to maximize satisfaction, promote community spirit,
and generate repeat and referral business. Delivered personalized quality servic
e that was cited as an example to business retailers.
Administration / Infrastructure:
Acted as the vital link with store owner to implement business initiatives in t
he store, ensuring key processes were in place and merchandising strategies were
in alignment.
Chosen to serve alongside owners on Thriftway Franchise Ad Committee to plan me
rchandising and negotiate with buyers from United Grocers for all 38 stores in t
he Thriftway Group.
Directed major remodel project with 7,000 square-foot addition. Coordinated wit
h contractor, ensuring proper alignment of merchandise/layout and cohesive store
image. Met all critical deadlines 100%.
Identified and rectified employee theft issue in the Post Office by performing
extensive audits, developing accountability systems, and implementing operating
controls to eliminate cash errors/loss.
Personnel / Employee Relations:
Successfully countered 92-day work stoppage from union contracts with 140 staff
reduction by strategically planning all staffing needs. Maintained 90% operabil
ity while increasing sales volume during this period.
Trained and motivated employees to improve product knowledge and assume manager
ial functions to enrich their work environment, sell with assurance, provide qua
lity customer service, and meet sales goals.
Directed staff participation in charitable and community events, boosting store
presence, image, and sales.

EDUCATION | CERTIFICATION
Associate of Science, Business Management, Portland Community College, OR
Oregon Certified Home Inspector (OCHI), Construction Contractors Board (CCB)

You might also like