Blair Whorwell
South Bend
Summary
Dynamic Assistant Store Manager with expertise in visual merchandising, retail operations, and team leadership. Proven ability to enhance customer experiences and drive sales through effective communication and strategic planning.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Store Manager
Lane Bryant
Mishawaka
04.2009 - 09.2025
- Supervised daily store operations and ensured compliance with company policies.
- Trained and mentored team members on customer service best practices.
- Coordinated visual merchandising to enhance product presentation and drive sales.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to measure productivity or goal achievement.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific duties.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Identified areas of operational inefficiency and implemented solutions to streamline processes.
- Led teams in planning, implementation and execution of merchandising and operating initiatives to streamline business effectiveness.
- Provided mentorship for employees to generate sales, promote effective upselling and cross-sell to improve retail productivity.
- Delegated assignments based on team strengths to optimize floor coverage and service levels.
- Maintained inventory by checking merchandise to determine levels.
- Handled scheduling for store shifts to achieve adequate staffing.
- Supervised a team of employees and provided ongoing training to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Handled complaints from customers by empathetically listening, recording details and offering solutions.
- Managed the day-to-day operations of the store, including customer service, inventory management and staff scheduling.
- Implemented visual merchandising strategies to enhance store displays.
Sales Associate
The Body Shop, Store
Mishawaka
06.2008 - 03.2009
- Assisted customers with product selection and provided personalized recommendations.
- Educated customers on product ingredients, benefits, and ethical sourcing initiatives.
- Processed transactions accurately using point-of-sale systems and handled cash management.
- Helped customers find specific products, answered questions, and offered product advice.
- Greeted customers and provided exceptional customer service.
Sales Associate
Bath and Body Works, Limited Brands
Mishawaka
11.2005 - 06.2008
- Collaborated with team members to achieve daily sales targets and improve service quality.
- Participated in inventory management, ensuring stock levels met customer demand effectively.
- Engaged in ongoing training to stay informed about new products and company policies.
- Arranged new merchandise with signage and appealing displays to encourage customer sales and move overstock items.
- Upsold additional items based on customer interests and needs.
Education
High School Diploma -
LaPorte High School
La Porte, IN06-2001
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Holy Cross College
Notre Dame, INSkills
- Visual merchandising
- Attention to detail
- Retail operations
- Time management
- Verbal and written communication
- Assignment delegation
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Store Manager
Lane Bryant
04.2009 - 09.2025
Sales Associate
The Body Shop, Store
06.2008 - 03.2009
Sales Associate
Bath and Body Works, Limited Brands
11.2005 - 06.2008
High School Diploma -
LaPorte High School
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Holy Cross College