Matthew K.

Retail Operations & Leadership | Brand Execution, Change Management, Space Planning | Translating complex retail strategies into high-performance, streamlined operations

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

About

Retail Operations & Brand Execution Specialist With 25+ years of front-line retail leadership, I specialize in the intersection of high-velocity operations and strategic design-build execution. I translate complex retail strategies into highly optimized, high-performing physical environments. Core Competencies & Operational Expertise: • Strategic Operations & P&L: Stabilizing legacy environments, executing Change Management, and developing high-performance teams. • Design-Build & Space Planning: Executing comprehensive showroom assessments, mapping revenue zones (optimizing the "Invariant Right"), and managing visual merchandising rollouts. • System Optimization: Recalibrating baselines and bridging traditional workflows with emerging tech to give time back to front-line teams. • Brand Execution & Community Marketing | Founder, Matt Drinks Local & 90's at Noon content series. Leveraging grassroots storytelling and high-fidelity curation to filter the noise and deepen brand connections. Creator of the LinkedIn-exclusive diagnostic series: 🚧Proceed with Caution. Whether I am executing a physical showroom reset or evaluating digital workflows, my goal is always the same: cut through the operational static, optimize the baseline, and drive results with absolute intention. Open to roles in: Retail Operations, Design-Build Projects, and Strategic Store Leadership. B-263-54 ♠

Experience

  • Independent Design Consultant at Matt K Design Consulting
    Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

    Provide freelance space planning, visual consulting, and high-fidelity 3D rendering for residential and local commercial design projects. Partner with clients to translate spatial concepts into functional layouts, managing project scopes, material timelines, and aesthetic execution.

  • Store leadership - Assistant Store Manager at Urban Barn
    Sep 2021 - Oct 2024 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    Consistently exceeded sales targets by implementing targeted 1-on-1 staff coaching, resulting in a #1 company-wide ranking for Average Transaction Value (ATV), Average Ticket Price (ATP), and Units Per Transaction (UPT). Strategic Brand Deployment: Deployed to the Montreal market during a critical regional management transition to stabilize brand execution standards and support high-level hiring initiatives. Regional Leadership & Training: Hand-selected by leadership to travel, onboard, and train new Assistant Management in neighboring markets, standardizing operational excellence across the region. Visual Merchandising & Operations: Directed high-impact visual merchandising strategies and streamlined inventory control systems to measurably increase product visibility and reduce shrinkage.

  • Divisional Sales Manager at Staples Canada
    Mar 2019 - Aug 2019 · 6 mos

  • PartSource (5 yrs 6 mos)
    • Store Manager
      Aug 2014 - Oct 2018 · 4 yrs 3 mos

      Revenue & Margin Growth: Drove YoY sales and margin increases across both retail and B2B commercial channels by establishing a high-performance, metrics-focused team culture. Logistics & System Engineering: Architected and implemented a routed delivery system across regional markets (Manitoba & Alberta), optimizing the supply chain for high-demand parts. Network-Wide Merchandising: Designed innovative merchandising, storage, and operational layouts that were officially adopted as best-practice examples for PartSource locations across the regional network. Technology & Strategy Leadership: Served as Chair of the Business Advisory Group, reporting directly to senior leaders on the integration of retail tech and communication platforms (Workplace, Microsoft suite). Financial & Ops Management: Managed monthly P&L, optimized budgetary expenses, and developed in-store programs that consistently exceeded targets for corporate initiatives like the JumpStart charity.

    • Assistant Manager
      May 2013 - Aug 2014 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Revenue Generation: Accelerated retail business growth by 10% YoY through elevated customer experience and targeted counter-staff execution. Project Management: Selected by senior leadership to spearhead a major store renovation project in the Calgary market, while assisting on structural remodels in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

  • Automotive Department Manager at Canadian Tire Corporation
    May 2006 - May 2013 · 7 yrs 1 mo

    Operational Excellence: Achieved and maintained an exceptional 98% store audit score by optimizing department standards, including end-caps, stack outs, and impulse bins. Cross-Functional Leadership: Directed a 10-person cross-functional team during a comprehensive store renovation, reporting directly to the corporate field merchandiser and GM. Technical Integration: Acted as the primary in-store IT specialist, providing critical technical support and systems troubleshooting for the management team and store owner.