Christopher B. Hays
Burbank, California · topherarmijo@gmail.com · 505.573.5766
Visual Merchandising Specialist
Dedicated and accomplished professional with a well-established background in visual merchandising, retail operations and leadership, and general business acumen. Adept at analyzing, developing, and implementing strategies and initiatives to generate individual store growth, as well as overall company growth. Possesses the ability to lead, develop, and motivate employees in an effort to reach and exceed objectives. Capable of working individually, part of a sales team, and as a member of various executive leadership teams.
Proven expertise in:
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Professional Experience
IKEA – Burbank, California
Visual Merchandising Manager Interim, 2024 to Present
As Visual Merchandising Manager, I directed and executed visually compelling in-store presentations to elevate customer experience and align with IKEA’s brand strategy. I developed innovative store layout plans that integrated functional interior design concepts to showcase IKEA’s product range while adhering to sales and brand objectives. By leveraging space planning tools such as Revit and AutoCAD, I ensured efficient and cost-effective solutions that enhanced both functionality and visual appeal. Additionally, I provided leadership and mentorship to a team of specialists, ensuring consistency in interior displays and fostering a cohesive brand experience.
Key Contributions:
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- Co-worker of the Month 2022, Co-worker of the year 2022
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IKEA – Burbank, California
Visual Merchandiser, 2021 to Present
In this role, I designed and implemented engaging seasonal in-store presentations that reflected IKEA’s core values of design, sustainability, and functionality. My work focused on applying advanced interior design principles to optimize store flow, product visibility, and the overall customer journey. By utilizing tools like Revit and Google SketchUp, I created scalable and efficient layouts tailored to specific market needs.
Key Contributions:
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- Co-worker of the Month 2022, Co-worker of the year 2022
Disney Store, Westfield Century City Mall – Century City, California
General Manager, 2017 to Present
As General Manager, I spearheaded visual merchandising efforts and integrated cohesive interior design elements to enhance the customer experience and drive revenue growth. My responsibilities included store layout planning, applying spatial design principles to optimize retail space functionality, and collaborating with executive teams on retail innovation projects to align interior strategies with overarching business objectives. These efforts resulted in a 35% year-over-year sales increase, demonstrating the impact of thoughtful visual and interior merchandising approaches on business success.
Key Contributions:
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- As a result of thoughtful visual marketing and effective store leadership, store sales increase 35% year over year, making the store a current top-5 large profit growth Disney Store.
- Generated greater store/company exposure by organizing a nationwide World Wish Day celebration in partnership with Make A Wish Foundation which resulted in local and national media coverage.
Disney Consumer Products, Various Store Locations, California
Visual Merchandiser Manager for New Store Openings, 2016 to 2019
Directed all visual merchandising planning and execution within new and high-volume stores.
Oversaw the layout of each new location, from lighting placement to display locations to furniture and prop arrangement to print material positioning. Managed and monitored merchandising and product flow, as well as financial tracking and general project life cycle. Administered new employee trainings according to Disney Store standards and regulations, providing each associate with tools and knowledge to help promote and sell product lines. Conceptualized and introduced strategies to maximize store productivity. Coordinated often with cross-functional teams that included Design, Merchandising, Marketing, and Retail Operations.
Key Contributions:
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- Consistently opened profitable stores on budget and on schedule.
Disney Store, Westfield Fashion Square – Sherman Oaks, California
Disney Store, Cottonwood Mall & Coronado Mall – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Store Manager, 2008 to 2017
Held various managerial positions while moving from location to location within the Disney Store Corporation.
In consecutive roles, supervised the daily activities within each store, ensuring all associates were delivering superior customer service and meeting or exceeding personal and store-wide sales goals. Partnered with other Store Managers to establish an environment that valued innovative thinking as a way to stimulate company growth. Analyzed key performance indicators, assessing how successful teams were at applying company initiatives to reach store objectives.
Key Contribution:
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- Managed Westfield Fashion Square store, a test location that had hard deadlines, prototype installations, tests, and numerous quick changes.
- Participated in a training program concentrating on translating company-wide goals to each store.
Double Tree by Hilton, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Human Resources Director, 2005 to 2008
Developed, introduced, and executed Corporate policies and procedures, Employee Relations protocols, and aligned all HR services to support the needs of multiple business units/clients.
Supply guidance and direction to leadership regarding HR issues and strategy execution, focusing on retention, leadership development, employee engagement, performance management, and other HR entities. Analyzed client groups’ metrics and highlighted the financial and/or operational advantage of all HR plans and programs.
Key Contributions:
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- Partnered with Center of Excellence (COEs) and client groups to improve HR activities and operations.
- Maintain that client group initiatives adhered to Neovia’s Organizational (People & Culture) priorities.
- Formulated and instituted HR practitioner policies and programs, while functioning as a subject-matter expert (SME) regarding new programs.
Education & Certification
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
Southwest University of Visual Arts
Tucson, Arizona
Bachelor of Science in Business: Human Resources & Corporate Communications
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Technical Proficiencies
Adobe Photoshop CC – Adobe Certified Associate (ACA), Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Google Sketchup, Autodesk Revit, Microsoft Office Suite.