Jason Cowie

Divisional merchandise manager Hardgoods, Bikes, & Winter accessories.

Insightful and progressive entrepreneur that conceptualized and launched a specialty retail business, single handedly expanding it from a one-man operation to a nationally known entity receiving awards and recognition for efforts within the skate and snowboarding industry. Matured as a business development expert and manager, perfecting skills in customer acquisition and business strategy.  Successfully built a thriving company and a lifestyle center within the community, plotting and orchestrating business launch and expansion, staff recruitment and training, driving aggressive out of the box marketing efforts – endured economic and marketplace turmoil and market volatility for over 12 years developing counter stabilizing strategies.  Sharpened holistic executive leadership skills in business development, market assessment, profit and loss, change management and customer retention.  Built profitable seasonal product assortments focused on consumer experience with financial prowess in forecasting, balancing stock levels, and ensuring strong GMROI; overseeing 10,000 skus at any given time with a seasonal increase of up to 25,000 skus throughout 20 different departments.  Financial Specialties Expertise includes Topline and Margin Growth, P&L Accountability, Strategic Planning, and Merchandising/Retail Buying.  Highly customer-centric with excellent relationship building skills as evidenced by achievement in building successful brick and mortar retailer.  Strong sales and marketing skills utilized to build new business and cultivating existing customer relationships (Achieved 4.7 Google and Facebook Rating).  Technology acumen with an understanding in the role technology plays in successful business practices.  Awarded Transworld Business Retailer of the Year - SW Region 2012.  Use of technology within business profiled in NY Times Article.

Propelled a turn around in the total operations, sales, service, and human resources of a highly visible $2.6M global Flagship store. Results focused with the capacity to manage multiple contact points within customer and company divisions; coached and empowered 25+ employees within the 10,000 sq. ft. retail location.  Reversed store’s declining sales by overhauling systems, processes, training programs and personnel. Corrected issues such as internal theft, lagging customer service and poor morale.  Initiated corporate communications with the store to continue driving sales through increased “load ins”, replenishment and merchandising.  Immediate record of being able to quickly shift strategies and approach when personality, environment or conflict dictates navigating roles and projects seamlessly.

Impactful Manager supporting a diverse sales team of 15-20 employees, responsible for a $1.7M retail location in the heart of the South’s shopping mecca. Promotion encompassed overseeing sales operations, full store P&L accountability, and revenue growth.  Assumed a blended leadership role of both operations and sales while leading a team to accomplish strategic objectives and overall sales goals.  Involved in all aspects of the stores to ensure that focus remained on key business initiatives, customer service, store presentation and daily operational cost controls.  Effective coalescing of diverse personalities; comfortable in uncomfortable situations and making hard decisions for the betterment of the overall business.

Performance based promotion; assumed a senior level management role focused on core oversight responsibilities included sales, store marketing, staff development and inventory turn. Supported a $5.5M store, overseeing 45+ employees within a 25,000 sq. ft. store.