Zachary K. Kaplan has over 20 years of experience in the convenience store industry, including roles in project management, merchandising, marketing, purchasing, advertising, and event planning. He has held positions at Drake Petroleum Company/Xtramart Convenience Stores such as Corporate Merchandising Specialist and Buyer/Category Manager. Kaplan has also owned and operated his own travel agency and restaurant.

1. Zachary K. Kaplan
217 South Allen Street, Albany, NY 12208 | (518) 588-0830 | ZKaplan@nycap.rr.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-kaplan/13/932/89a
______________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY
Creative, innovative, merchandising professional in the
Convenience store industry, extensive expertise includes: Project Management, Marketing,
Purchasing, Advertising and Event Planning.
SKILL HIGHLIGHTS
• Project Management Buying
• Merchandising Leadership communication
• Store design and layout Training
• Store rebuilds and remodeling sales and promotions
• New Store openings New program development
• Event co-ordination, trade shows, golf
• Tournament, family company events
EXPERIENCE
Drake Petroleum Company, Inc./Xtramart Convenience Stores Schodack, NY
Corporate Merchandising Specialist
January 2001—June 2015
• Develop and execute product placement plans for 140 locations
• Coordinate resets and planograms functions, which resulted in yearly sales increases
Implement remodels of stores under budget and execute new product rollouts
• Conduct regional alcohol and tobacco compliance trainings for over 800 employees and
developed curriculum for the program
• Plan and execute grand opening events for over 40 locations including booking venue,
entertainment, lodging ,advertising, media, and logistic planning.
• Craft four management articles for company newsletter each year
• Generate sales reports of product segments and individual products for executive
management review
• Set daily gas prices for each location
• Conducted focus groups for Xtramart’s Deli Joe
• Spearheaded new RTO online training program, which increased employee skills
Buyer/Category Manager
May 1994—January 2001
• Negotiated product purchasing with more than 100 vendors
• Managed product promotions, co-op advertising funds, and rebates with vendor partners
• Organized corporate sponsorship opportunities and events, such as trade shows, charity
golf tournaments, and corporate family events

2. • Attended industry trade shows to access new product lines and introduced new product
lines to stores
• Kept apprised of industry developments and standards for internal implementation
Store Manager/District Supervisor
1987-1994
• Responsibilities for total store operation including, staffing, profit and loss
accountability, merchandising, loss prevention, sales and marketing for 11 stores.
Words Travel Agency Albany, NY
Owner/operator
2011-present
• Full serve travel agency specializing in cruises.
Wing Street Restaurant Glens Falls, NY
Owner
1986-1987
• Designed restaurant set up for optimal efficiency and effectiveness
• Managed all accounting and finances for the operation
• Implemented all marketing and advertising tactics
• Hired and trained all restaurant staff
Volunteer experience:
Equinox-Capital District Area: Distribution of meals to shut-ins and low income.
Albany Damien Center: Assisted with meals for clients, organized events and entertainment for clients.
Professional Associations:
• NYACS-National Association of Convenience stores-volunteer and committee member, membership,
tradeshow planning.
EDUCATION
Associate of Science, Business Administration
SUNY – Adirondack, 1994
Glens Falls, NY
Bachelors of Science, Marketing
SUNY - Empire State, 2016 anticipated completion date
Saratoga Springs, NY
SKILLS

3. Computer: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, RTO
(ready training online), Salient software, PowerPoint, Outlook,