1. STEPHANIE STOUT
Dallas, Texas 75238 | Cell: 801-230-0330
stephanielstout@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/stephanielstout
BUSINESS OPERATIONS | TRAINING AND FIELD DEVELOPMENT LEADER
Build Operational Excellence through Field Training and Process Improvement delivering
Increased Profits, Driving Sales and Minimizing Risk
Proven Retail Management Professional focused on driving results through people. Motivate people to drive
excellence in setting standards of service, sales, operations and regulatory compliance. Innovative change
management leader. Strong team builder with a history of identifying and leveraging talent for promotion.
Effective global communicator bridging all levels for understanding. Known for being the trusted resource of
operational excellence.
Standardize Operational Processes & Procedures | Implement Training |Associate Development
Regulatory Compliance | Profit & Loss Management | Strategic & Operational Planning | Cost Control
Local and Remote Associate Management | Consulting
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PALADIN CONSULTING, INC., Dallas, Texas Current
Training Facilitator – International
Contract position to facilitate classroom training of new Point of Sale(POS) systems being deployed worldwide
to support our military.
MICHAELS STORES, INC., Dallas, Texas 2008 - 2016
Manager – Field Audit (Operations/Training), Support Center 2012 - 2016
Designed, developed, implemented and managed operational excellence audits for 1300+ stores & 110 districts.
Concentrated on driving sales, improving profits and maintaining regulatory compliance. Led team to improved
facilitation of training the audit initiatives and compliance measures to ensure execution of key performance
indicators.
• Increased productivity with expanded audits completed year over year on reduced staff: Average of 7%
increase year over year for 3 years
• Reduced travel cost through process improvement and increased efficiencies: saved $132K averaging 22%
savings yearly over 3-year period
• Developed and presented Executive Reports to communicate Company Audit results and create awareness
of successes and opportunities between actual results vs. company strategic goals
• Reviewed and approved operational enhancements to align with store execution strategies as a member of
5 cross-divisional committees
• Managed 100+ Audit Captains to provide increased awareness in shortened lead times. Held conference
calls and created point of contact rollout
• Developed and Promoted Team: 57% of team promoted in 3-year period
SMART Training Specialist (Store Operations), Support Center 2010 - 2012
Facilitated training classes for 950+ Store Managers and Assistant Managers. Trained and coached 30+
subject matter experts on delivery of training materials. Provided participant feedback to executive level
management and HR. Worked cross-functionally in Support Center to enhance training classes. Worked with
Zone Teams to enhance training store environment.
• Reduced travel cost by $130K by improving travel methods
• Improved efficiencies in training program, created solution for material consolidation and reduced training
payroll by $97K
• Created and managed international training calendar for all operational organizations: trainees included
District Managers, Field Support Staff, Store Managers and Assistant Managers,

2. STEPHANIE STOUT
Cell: 801-230-0330 | stephanielstout@gmail.com | Page 2
MICHAELS STORES, INC. (Continued)
Store Manager, Dallas, Texas 2008 - 2010
Oversaw all aspects of running a $3.5M retail store including interviewing, hiring, training and developing
associates. Promoted operational excellence and motivated team for optimum service standards and sales.
Responsible for both inventory and profit & loss management.
• Led team of 35 Associates, 4 Department Managers, 1 Assistant Manager resulting in 10 promotions
• Mentored 3 Assistant Managers in District to be promoted to Store Manager
• Mentored 2 new Store Managers to the company
• Ranked #1 of 15 stores in District for Associate Engagement and Management Effectiveness
• Increased overall sales by 4.5% and custom framing departmental sales by 10.8%
BED BATH & BEYOND, Topeka, Kansas 2005 – 2008
Merchandising Assistant Manager
Managed inventory selection and levels for $8M store. Identified store specific inventory levels based on current
store demand and regionalism. Consistently communicated opportunities that offered better product positioning.
• Secured Gross Margin goals by purchasing on trend product
• Drove sales through product assortment selection for Hard line and Soft line departments balancing in-store
marketing strategy.
• Developed visual merchandising standards for improved sell thru.
OFFICEMAX, Salt Lake City, Utah 2001 – 2005
District Training Manager 2003 - 2005
Developed training plans, validated training and assessed completion of training for all newly hired or promoted
Managers and Supervisors. Facilitated all training orientations. Supported, trained and re-trained subject
matter training experts. Provided communication through conference calls and provided District level reporting
to Territory VP and Directors.
• Recognized as Hewlett Packard’s Western Region Training Partner of the Year 2003 for District training
initiative.
• Completed POS rollout for Utah/Arizona, SAP rollout for Utah, HR 101 and Anti-Discrimination training for
Utah/Idaho.
• Organized a Vendor Road Show for Utah/Idaho supporting 25 Vendors and 100+ in attendance.
Store Manager 2001 – 2003
Oversaw all aspects of running a $6.5M retail store. Relentless focus on the customer experience. Drove
results through management team, challenging and empowering them to understand the impact of their actions
and decisions. Held managers accountable for decisions and actions. Challenged initiatives that distracted
from the customers’ experience. Empowered team to make decisions that focused on the customers’ needs.
Provided one on one quality time and assisted team in personal development.
• Successfully moved Team Survey results in 2002 from last in District to first in District for results in 2003
EDUCATION
University of Utah; Completed 2 years towards degree in Business Management
VOLUNTEER
Political Volunteer: State Delegate, Voter Registration, Local Canvassing
Animal Rescue: Foster Duck Team 6