PAUL SAITO

26005 Se 38th Ct, Issaquah, WA 98029

Residence: (425) 427-8914 * Cell: (425) 495-6484 * ps8d482c@westpost.net
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EXECUTIVE MARKETING AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ~ STRATEGIC PLANNING ~ PROJECT MANAGEMENT
REGIONAL OPERATIONS ~ TEAM BUILDING ~ ETHNIC SALES
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"I am a forward-thinking Executive Management strategist, enabled to provide lea
dership, experience and direction to the Marketing and Operation team to increas
e sales, profit and market share while promoting the Mission Statement values".
Provide strategic planning, budgeting and team synergy to execute the marketing
and communications strategy that supports business growth. Enhance brand equity
and awareness in conjunction with organizing, directing and controlling planned
outputs, while promoting corporate integrity, honesty, loyalty and character. Pr
oven leadership and communication style that highlights; listening, coaching, me
ntoring and succession planning. My unique combination of knowledge, experience
and expertise includes:
* Executive Sales, Marketing, Merchandising and Project Management.
* Regional Branch Operations Management in multiple states.
* The broad based Multi-Cultural market segment driven by diversity, births and
acculturation.
* Internet and Social media influence on current and future marketing strategies
.
My continued growth of executive leadership competencies, skills and keen consum
er awareness will create, provide and execute a sales strategy to capture new bu
siness from competitors, enhance loyalty to achieve and exceed ambitious goals.
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CORE MARKETING, MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
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*Advertising *
Merchandising
*EEO & OSHA Compliance *
Pricing
*Financial Analysis *
Employee Evaluation *
Labor Control
Selling Cycle Methodologies *
Wage & Rate Analysis
COOL Compliance *
Shrink Management
Manufacturing & Distribution

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Vice President of Retail
UWAJIMAYA INC. -Seattle, Washington - 2008 to 2010
The largest privately owned Asian Retail Grocery and Gift Centers in the Pacific
Northwest
Establishes and implements goals and objectives, serves as a resource in all asp
ects of retail while being responsible for planning, directing and overseeing al
l human and administrative functions.
* Contributed toward the annual sales of $64MM of tangibles and intangibles
* Increased sales by 7.6% and increased EBITDA by 12.9% LY
* Accountable for 9 direct reports and 500 employees
* Supervised and directed the operations of high volume multi-unit stores in 2 s
tates and providing support and direction on sales, loss prevention, merchandisi
ng, shrink, government compliance and training.
* Successfully reduced overtime and total wage and benefit expense in excess of
$533K.
* Annual advertising budget of $665k, included media, promotional materials, loy
alty and festival events.
* Developed a physical perishable monthly inventory system to improve shrink and
Gross Profit.
* Translated the knowledge and experience of a Fortune 500 company to the applic
ation of a large privately owned specialty retail with sales growth, expense red
uction, efficiencies and improved profitability
* Represent the company at various community and/or business meetings to promote
the company
* Member of the Executive Leadership Team
* Follows direction set by Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors
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ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND SKILLS
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* Experience in strategic planning and execution. Knowledge and experience; cont
racts, negotiations, change management, structuring sales revenue expectations,
planning marketing strategies, advertising campaigns, trade shows and public re
lations activities.
* The work requires written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. T
he ability to produce quality output in tight timeframes while simultaneously ma
naging multiple and urgent retail projects. Ability to facilitate group meetings
, create and motivate teams.
* Recruit train, supervise and evaluate department heads and staff
* Supervises Branch Directors and department heads and responsible for the overa
ll management to achieve customer satisfaction. Ability to interpret policies, p
urposes and goals of organization subordinates.

Manager of Ethnic Marketing and Merchandising

Ralphs Grocery Company 1998 to 2005
Planning and organized all Regional and "Special Effort" Marketing and Merchandi
sing functions and exceed company objectives of sales, growth, profitability and
visibility.
* Contributed toward the annual sales of $590MM of tangibles and intangibles.
* Created and developed strategic sales strategies, integrated to change consume
r purchase behavior and increased sales by 15% as well as improving targeted dep
artment sales by 56%.
* Established a methodology for measuring and tracking performance of corporate
"Special Effort" sales initiatives.
* Exercised the leadership and organizational skills, the ability to communicate
and negotiate effectively and the knowledge to interpret financial reports
* Development of space allocation to product and category schematics
* Developed and reviewed new store and re-model merchandising projects
* Created ad weekly mailers, ethnic ads and monthly co-op ads in ethnic language
newspapers and created in-store promotional flyers
* Secured $2.9MM of incremental "Consumer Marketing" support and created integra
ted marketing programs through a variety of media including schools, education,
newsprint, radio and television.
* Participate and represented the organization in trade shows, conventions and v
arious business functions.
* Assistant the District Manager responsible for the training and developing the
retail staff while supporting Store Directors (23 stores) with the execution me
rchandising objectives and problem solving assistance.
* Board committee member of the City of Hope, affiliated with the Mexican Americ
an Grocers Association and active in the Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation.
Store Director
Ralphs Grocery Company 2005 to 2008, 1998 to 2005
Direct the day-to-day operation of the retail store, responsible for executing a
nd delivering corporate goals and objectives. Rapid career progression and respo
nsibilities that include "Special Assignments" and
* Responsible for branch P&L with OG&A and EBITDA accountabilities
* Accountable for 50-110 Direct Reports and Directed 10 different retail operati
on is varying size and volume
* Responsible and accountable for the hiring, training and developing employees
of all levels, while coaching and guiding enabling success.
* Managed the "selling" life cycle of over 40K UPC's and SKU's for inventory reo
rder and forward buying
* Working knowledge of compliance agencies of OSHA, USDA and HAACP for food hand
ling safety
* Expert on Customer Service to deliver of an enhanced "shopping experience".
* Member of the Cultural Council for improved working conditions and management
employment retention.
* District Expense, Energy and Shrink coordinator that analyzed the district (23
stores) and presented corporate goals while preparing action plans for underper
forming locations and improved results by 8% overall and 38% in "target" stores
in 2 years despite increasing energy costs.
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OTHER INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
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Marketing, Management, Merchandising and Solutions Consulting as well as operati
onal activities of the retail mergers of the Food 4Less Company, ABC Markets, Fo
od Co, Alpha Beta, and Hughes Markets. This experience includes the merger with
Ralphs and Kroger, the largest Supermarket Retailer in the country.
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EDUCATION & TRAINING
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Bachelors of Science, Marketing, California State University Long Beach, Long Be
ach, California
Certificate, Connie Yambert Executive Speech
Certified and Licensed Food Handler and Trainer
Completed Wood Badge Leadership Training, BSA Youth Protection Training
American Red Cross - CPR and First Aid Certified
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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
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Member, Board of Directors, Hispanic City of Hope

Member, Mexican American Grocers Association
Scoutmaster - Troop 636 Issaquah, WA
AVAILABLE FOR TRAVEL AND RELOCATION