Jim Vanderbleek

273 Bayview Drive NE, St. Petersburg, Florida

727-822-0258 Home, 727-895-9525 Office

Summary
Twenty-seven years experience in Retail, Private Label Manufacturing, Importing, Merchandising, and
Operations. I am looking for an opportunity to put that experience to work. I am experienced in District
Management, Store Construction, Product Development, Purchasing, Personnel Training, Customs Compliance,
Product Manufacturing, Consumer Safety Regulations, Vendor Contractual Agreements and Store
Merchandising. 21 of the 27 years have been in newly created positions where I had the opportunity to define
the standards and processes that would produce incremental sales and profitability.

Work History

2006-Present: Valor Athletics CEO, President:

• Started a Wholesale/Web based Fitness Company in 2006.
• Involved in all facets of New Business Development ranging from Financial, Legal, Information
Systems, Product Development, Marketing, Sales, Customs Clearance, Warehousing and Logistics.
• Developed a 150 unit strength equipment line ranging from residential use to full commercial grade.
• Generated sales in 2008 of $692,000.00.
• Presented line in National Trade Shows as well as Fitness Expos in local markets.
• Built an Information Systems network to better communicate both internally and externally.

2000-2006: Sports Authority, Group VP:

• New position created in 2000 to build Private Brand/Imports. Grew Private Brands to $286 Million,
11% of company sales, by 2006.
• Increased margin percent by 10% on all private label/imported brands resulting in a gross margin dollar
increase of $20 Million per year.
• Implemented the following programs within the Corporate/Field structure: Landed Cost Module, Vendor
Compliance Manual for all Foreign Vendors, Import Seminars for buyers/vendors, Merchandise Testing
Manual, Customs Trade Certification,
• Developed 15 Private Label Brand names covering merchandise in apparel, hardlines and footwear.
• Developed seasonal line plan meetings for all Private Label/Imported products in all departments.
• Packaging consolidation from 11 national branded vendors into 1 Private Brand for efficient store shelf
presentation as well as promote the company brand.
• Auto replenishment program from foreign factory to store backroom.
• Coordinated and participated in all Foreign Trips with associates and senior management.
• Renegotiated all foreign payments from letter of credit method to wire transfer with terms.
• Managed a $1.5 Million annual budget. This position reported to the President/CEO.

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 Jim Vanderbleek
273 Bayview Drive NE, St. Petersburg, Florida
727-822-0258 Home, 727-895-9525 Office

1991-2000: Champs Sports, Director of Imports:

• New position created to develop private brands/imports under a variety of company names.
• Supported buyers in all departments on product lines, open to buy dollars, plan-o-gram designs.
• Increased private brand penetration from 35 items in 1992 to 400 items by 2000.
• Raised Gross Margin percent by 15%. Raised factory purchases from $750,000.00 in 1992 to $10
Million by 2000.
• This position reported to the President/GMM

1991: Champs Sports, Special Projects:

• Newly created position. Set up, managed and tore down 18,000 square foot tent for the NFL’s inaugural
Super Bowl Experience.
• Managed 180 employees over a 7 day period generating $240,000.00 per day.
• Based on the success of this test, this position grew into a complete department inside the Footlocker
Corporation for all future Super Bowls and other major sporting special events including NCAA, NBA,
and MLB.

1988-1991: Champs Sports New Store Setter:

• New position created for aggressive store growth with a goal of adding 200 retail outlets per year.
• Coordinated all New/Remodel Store Openings under the Champs Sports Banner.
• Physically merchandised and managed the opening of 173 stores in a 2 year span.
• Developed SOP manual for new store openings for all District Managers to follow.
• Reviewed all New Store Blue Prints for correct sales floor layout prior to store construction.
• Created New Store Construction Punch List for District Manager follow up.
• This position reported to the President.

1982-1988: Robby’s Sporting Goods

• Full time sales associate, manager, district manager.
• Responsible for day to day operation of retail stores generating approx. $2.3 Million in annual sales.
• Briefly held the position of Property Manager. Each manager in the 43 store chain was required to call
the PM for approval and guidance of fixing all problems at the store level.

Education

Bachelor of Science: University of Florida

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