JOHN C. HEIER
Res: 214-823-1641 / Cell: 214-808-5231
johnheier@aol.com
821 Allen Street, #234, Dallas, TX 75204
http://www.webprofile.info/jheier
STRATEGIC BUSINESS DIRECTOR
Planning & Financial Analysis / Purchasing & Merchandising / Sales & Marketing
Results-driven, business professional with proven track record in leadership, strategic financial and sales planning,
purchasing/merchandising and marketing. Solid foundation in business growth, turnaround, and startup situations.
Effective communicator with strong team-building skills and ability to coordinate cross-functional teams to accomplish
objectives and meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced, high-growth, and diverse environment.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
 Strategic Financial Analysis
 Budget Management
 Business Reengineering
 Purchasing & Merchandising
 Leadership & Team Building
 Performance Measurement
 Sales & Marketing Management
 Promotion & Project Management
 Customer & Vendor Relations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, Fort Worth, and Dallas, TX
2000 – 2007
Luxury specialty-store retailer operating 39 stores throughout the U.S. with more than $4 billion in annual sales.
MERCHANDISE MANAGER
Managed $70 million sales volume area consisting of a group of 10 department managers and 200 associates /
support staff for 10 divisions within the company. Directed strategic planning, budgeting, business development,
marketing, public relations, manager and employee training / development, inventory management, merchandising,
assortment planning, and customer relationship development. Provided managerial leadership to drive sales volume
and edit / add businesses for gross margin improvement.
Selected Achievements
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$3 million sales growth post-reorganization of largest single store division. New structure adopted by senior
management as best practice for large store organizational chart.
Increased Designer Jewelry sales $3.9 million / +39%, Men’s Business $3 million / +17%, and Women’s
Contemporary Business $715,000 / +71%, more than three years via in-depth strategic analysis encompassing
vendor management, staffing, events, associate incentives, product knowledge training, assortment modification,
and floor layout.
Evaluated $1 million special order event business. Eliminated duplicate events and underperforming vendors
raising customer attendance and event average to $49,000 (17% increase). Reduced direct mail cost 61%.
Drove specific CRM redemption program rate from 40% to 72% by appointing Manager Task Force to review
program specifics with key associates; targeted areas realized sales increases from 11% to 35%.
Implemented disciplined operations approach to exceed corporate shortage plan 25% that increased bottom-line
results $119,000.
Negotiated stockroom remodel project requiring CEO approved capital, increasing capacity 30%, and accelerating
Men’s Shoe business 36% from $ 1.1 million to $ 1.5 million.
DILLARD’S DEPARTMENT STORE
1987 – 2000
Department store retailer operating 330 stores throughout the U.S. with more than $7 billion annual sales.
STORE M ANAGER, Bartlesville, OK, Hampton, VA, and Chesapeake, VA (1995 –2000)
Directed all store operations and ensured increased profitability of sales volume. Edited / added businesses for retail
store generating $18 million in annual sales volume. Managed 160 associates / support staff and 8 sales managers.
Developed accurate forecasts, established performance objectives, monitored inventory levels to ensure optimum
assortments, and analyzed sales trends and employee performance to maximize productivity. Identified cost / expense
variances and implemented managerial controls to maintain store budget without negatively affecting productivity or
quality of service.
Continued
JOHN C. HEIER
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(Dillard’s, continued)
Selected Achievements
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Opened store in new market within 60 days. First year sales topped $13 million surpassing former tenant annual
sales volume by $6 million. Hired and trained 13 managers, 150 associates, and support staff.
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Increased sales for key events +16% by establishing radio advertising within new market and negotiated additional
usage to drive specific vendor events and maximize marketing budget / funds.
Consolidated cosmetic businesses, which decreased annual payroll 25% and reduced duplicate inventories
improving productivity of floor space.
Reduced associate turnover 58% via associate questionnaires, monthly store meetings, and continuous
management meetings.
Served as advisory regional shoe coordinator and developed events, strategies, and training materials to drive
store sales increases +7%.
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MERCHANDISE MANAGER, Wichita, KS (1994 – 1995)
Managed seasonal assortments and inventory, financial planning process, store merchandising, business
development, marketing, public relations, manager / employee development, and customer relations.
Selected Achievement
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Participated in Store Management Training program functioning as Store Manager to ensure optimum inventory
levels, financial plans, and merchandise management.
BUYER, Fort Worth, TX (1991 – 1994)
Conceived and executed buying plans for all Tailored Clothing merchandise generating annual sales of $30 million in
three states / 46-store region. Utilized analytical skills and experience to manage open-to-buy assortment process.
Provided sales forecasts with quantifiable market opportunities to senior management. Established / modified all sales
and markdown projections, cost and pricing of goods, deliveries, returns, and markdown allowances. Negotiated
regional and corporate promotional and advertising programs. Created in-store signage, visual seasonal
merchandising direction, and promotional campaigns. Developed vendor product labeling standards to meet all UPC
compliance coding. Coordinated seasonal product knowledge / selling training for all managers and associates.
Selected Achievements
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Led effort to create $1 million private label tailored clothing suit program, and coordinated with six divisions to
negotiate additional extension of this product line.
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Increased Tailored Clothing special order sales 242% during three years to $1.2 million via reorganization of
division’s special order program.
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Created division’s first Seasonal Management Training program and manual utilized by five new managers per
season on average.
Previous positions:
ASSISTANT BUYER – Home Furnishings & Tailored Clothing, Fort Worth, TX (1989 – 1991)
SALES M ANAGER / EXECUTIVE TRAINEE – Men’s, Fort Worth, and Dallas, TX (1987 – 1989)
EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MARKETING, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION & DEVELOPMENT
NETWORK OF ADVISORS – CONSULTING GROUP OF INDUSTRY EXPERTS
MYERS-BRIGGS LEADERSHIP INVENTORY ~ PLANNING STRATEGICALLY ~ DEVELOPING SUCCESSFUL TEAMS
KEEPING THE GOOD ONES ~ THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES ~ COACHING FOR SUCCESS