Sarah McKinnon
Matthews,NC
Summary
With a robust background at Shea & Empire Homes, I have a unique personality which combines both a strong analytic mind, a strong design mind, and leadership skills which makes me adaptable and successful in a variety of positions. My experience includes enhancing product offerings for profitability, mentoring design teams to achieve up to $25 million in annual sales, working with merchandising teams to create model homes, all while collaborating with both internal teams and trade partners to also ensure customer satisfaction.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Merchandising Manager
Empire Homes
02.2023 - Current
- Creates, maintains, and manages the product offering and inventory of products in the Design Studio by analyzing buying trends of current purchasers as well as having a knowledge of what is upcoming to ensure that the design studio fits the needs of what the current buyer profile is as well as ensuring profitability for the company.
- Cultivates strong relationships with trade partners and meets at minimum annually to discuss new offering opportunities and to provide training for the Design Studio Consultants in order to successfully educate and advise buyers and improve levels of customer service.
- Collaborates with the purchasing department to analyze and procure any new major items as needed, ie cabinetry companies or appliance manufacturers and to set accurate pricing for design studio options.
- Manages the merchandising and selections for all new model homes as well as working in conjunction with the construction team during the model build to ensure accuracy.
- Reviews the design studio documents before they are sent to the buyer to sign and verifies that the purchased options and color selections are completed accurately. Identifies errors and forwarded to the Design Consultant for required revisions.
- Manages the show home design studio selection process for both single family and townhomes and established all new town home structural options for the approval of the VP of Sales & Marketing.
- Collaborates with marketing in the creation of virtual walk throughs and renderings as well as reviewing exterior renderings for accuracy.
- Mentors the Design Consultants and works with them in various capacities on a day to day basis.
Design Studio Manager
Empire Homes (Shea Homes)
02.2018 - 02.2023
- Responsible for a 4,000 square foot design studio with an annual sales revenue of up to $25 million in options and a team of up to 5 designers.
- Mentored designers, providing guidance on best practices and professional development opportunities.
- Oversaw the hiring process for new designers, selecting candidates that aligned with the company''s values and goals.
- Managed budgets and resources, ensuring timely completion of projects within allocated financial constraints.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Developed, maintained and provided training for a thorough knowledge and understanding of all design studio options and upgrades for both myself and the design consultants.
- Monitored and tracked option sales, finding ways to increase profits generated by the Design Studio.
Marketing Manager
Shea Homes
05.2012 - 05.2016
- Oversaw the Internet Sales Representative and the Sales and Marketing Administrator on all marketing related items.
- Coordinated all new Community Set-Ups
- Responsible for the set-up of all new neighborhoods, including preparing all model home starts while working with a model merchandising team, as well as preparing all show homes in the neighborhood.
- Preformed monthly audits of models and neighborhoods.
- Assisted in the planning of yearly marketing budgets and media plan and analyzing quarterly budgets to ensure compliance.
- Assisted the Vice President of Sales and Marketing with ad approvals.
Marketing Asst / Contract Adm / Design Consultant
Shea Homes
09.2008 - 05.2012
Builder/Sales Representative
Shea Homes
01.2001 - 09.2008
Education
Psychology
University of New England
Biddeford, MESkills
- Sales trend analysis
- Product pricing
- Coaching and mentoring
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking
- Budgeting oversight
- Effective communication
Certification
- Real Estate Broker License - NC Real Estate Commission.
- DC Pro - Design Consultant Professional Certified
Timeline
Merchandising Manager
Empire Homes
02.2023 - Current
Design Studio Manager
Empire Homes (Shea Homes)
02.2018 - 02.2023
Marketing Manager
Shea Homes
05.2012 - 05.2016
Marketing Asst / Contract Adm / Design Consultant
Shea Homes
09.2008 - 05.2012
Builder/Sales Representative
Shea Homes
01.2001 - 09.2008
Psychology
University of New England
Similar Profiles
Kimberley MembielaKimberley Membiela
Community Sales Manager at Trumark HomesCommunity Sales Manager at Trumark Homes
Christina PattersonChristina Patterson
Background Actor at Empire Casting/EmpireBackground Actor at Empire Casting/Empire
Bessy DayBessy Day
Manager at Empire Life, The Empire Life InsuranceManager at Empire Life, The Empire Life Insurance