1. JOSEPH J. GRAVES
7410 N Greenview, Apt. 3s, Chicago, IL 60626
H: 773.275.2812 C: 773.655.0361
josephjgraves41@yahoo.com
SUMMARY
Professional with significant progressive experience as a Manager and Supervisor of
establishments ranging from a warehouse to Big Box to Start-Up enterprises. Expertise in
determining customer needs and in establishing a bond that inspires the trust that promotes
repeat business.Demonstrated ability to hire, supervise and develop staff instilling high standards
of customer service. Key strengths include visual merchandising, inventory control, technical
skills, POS systems and business acumen.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
MS Windows XP through 10, Access, Excel, Outlook, Word; Retail Pro; QuickBooks for Retail;
Enterprise.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Bye Bye Chicago, Chicago, IL March 2013-Jan 2016
Warehouse Manager
Manager of a warehouse serving a chain of fine souvenir stores with 4 locations on Michigan
Avenue, and 1 in San Francisco, as well as serving a variety of wholesale customers about
Chicago. Clients included 13+ Walgreens locations. Receive and supervise inventory of largely
custom made product. Ship multiple high volume orders at peak of season.
 Communicate regularly with company buyers, and with wholesale division.
 Received shipments often in excess of 1440 pieces and inspect for quality.
 Supervised pulling, tagging, packing and shipping of multiple orders weekly.
 Participated in move from a smaller location to current one. Oversaw packing and unpacking of
all product and materials moved. Oversaw assembly of new location fixtures and shelving.
 Helped implement new procedures when wholesale division established.
 Responsible for hiring, training and scheduling of warehouse staff, according to seasonal
needs
Chicago Tribune Store, Chicago, IL 1998 – Jan 2013
Supervisor of Retail Sales
Assistant Manager of a retail store located on prestigious Michigan Avenue featuring high margin
merchandise in a high volume setting, with gross sales up to $2M. Cash flow primarily generated
from Chicago apparel, gifts, souvenirs, and Sports Licensed Apparel, along with some custom
Chicago Tribune products.
 Key representative of the Tribune brand; role model for providing exemplary customer service.
 Created customer service experience standards, implemented training and supervised
employees providing coaching and mentoring.
 Orientated and trained all new hires, followed by ongoing employee development.
 Effectively provided frontline supervision of sales staff ensuring coverage and quality.

2. Joseph J Graves Page 2
H:773-275-2812 C:773-655-0361
Chicago Tribune Store (continued)
 Managed customer service experience and sales including made-to-order products.
 Oversight and process improvement of POS system and all related hardware: Registers,
workstations, printers and PDT’s
 Implemented installation and setup of POS system, including creation of merchandise
database, design of reports, tags and register receipts, with responsibility to train staff on POS
after project completion. Contributed to selection process and led successful installation.
 Managed Inventory Control valued at $50K - $180K: Tracking, analysis, and prediction of
sales trends from POS data.
 Receiving, stock room, replenishment, shrink reduction
 Directed all storewide inventories
 Designed new report and restructured reports providing more efficient information flow.
 Directed product presentation, replenishment, and visual merchandising.
 Categorized department by type of product and promotion of new products
 Assisted in vendor meetings, selection of new products, and determination of price point and
margin. Primary ordering authority for all items reordered monthly or biweekly.
 Assumed responsibilities in absence of Manager.
 Experienced Hot Market events generated by sports team championships.
 Served Chicago Tribune newspaper at special events, providing products or service staff as
needed. Assisted newspaper subscribers, often successfully resolving escalated issues.
Third Eye Games, Chicago, IL 1995 - 1998
Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Specialty New Business Start-Up
Project management of a business start-up provided an excellent working knowledge of the
mechanics of running a small business.
 New Business Start-Up: Oversaw the incorporation of the business; selecting, designing, and
remodeling business location; merchandising and establishing supplier accounts; financial
planning; and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
 Store Management: Recruiting, hiring, and training staff; ordering merchandise and supplies;
marketing and planning promotional events; researching and selecting new products;
bookkeeping, banking, and bill paying; and customer service and sales.
Gamers Paradise, Chicago, IL and Suburbs 1990 - 1995
Store Manager
Responsible for supervising a mall-based specialty store, one of seven in a chain in accordance
with company guidelines. Consistently placed second or third in generation of gross revenue.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
 Sales Associate: Department Store
 Big Box Department Management: Promoted from sales floor and service desk positions.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Employer Sponsored courses: Effective Time Management, Frontline Supervision, Loss
Prevention, MS Access, Heavy Equipment Operations: Fork Lift, and High Lift
Bachelor of Arts, Hope College, Holland, MI