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Gretchen Kruse

@gretchenkruse

I lead multi-store retail operations, strengthening customer experience, inventory accuracy, team performance, and P&L execution.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to lead retail operations where I can strengthen store execution, customer experience, inventory accuracy, team development, and P&L-focused decision-making.

I've led store operations across Microsoft Retail, Rally House, Duluth Trading Company, and Nordstrom, supporting high-volume retail environments, multi-store execution, and eight store openings.

At Rally House, I managed daily operations across multiple locations and owned P&L accountability for a primary store, including labor planning, payroll, cash controls, reconciliations, inventory tracking, and customer experience. At Microsoft Retail, I progressed to Assistant Store Manager and led inventory reconciliation, financial controls, scheduling, team training, product flow, and audit-ready operations.

More recently, I've applied my operational discipline to inventory control and financial operations, resolving discrepancies, improving system integrity, and partnering across finance, operations, and customer support.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Financial Operations Specialist

Current

SMC Corporation

Sep 2025 - Present (11 months)

Maintains financial accuracy and system integrity by verifying account balances, billing records, and payment activity. Reviews account data and aging reports to identify discrepancies and support account resolution.

Accounts Receivable Credit and Collections Compliance Documentation CRM Zendesk

Cycle Counter / Operations Support

Dormakaba

Jul 2023 - Sep 2025 (2 years 2 months)

Performed detailed cycle counts to validate physical inventory against ERP system records. Investigated inventory variances, identified root causes, and documented findings to support operational accuracy.

Inventory Accuracy Cycle Counts ERP Documentation Audit Readiness

Multi-Store Retail Manager

Rally House

Aug 2021 - Aug 2022 (1 year)

Managed daily operations across multiple retail locations, including staffing, scheduling, payroll, and inventory. Owned P&L accountability for primary store and supported the opening of four new locations.

Multi Store Management Staffing Scheduling Payroll Processing Inventory Management Store Opening Customer Experience

Retail Operations and Sales Specialist

Duluth Trading Company

May 2021 - Aug 2021 (3 months)

Supported customer experience, sales floor readiness, and daily store operations in a high-service retail environment. Maintained inventory organization and assisted with BOPIS and order fulfillment.

Customer Experience Merchandising Inventory Management Order Fulfilment Retail Operations

Assistant Store Manager / Inventory Control and Operations Lead

Microsoft Retail

May 2013 - Oct 2020 (7 years 5 months)

Led store operations including cycle counts, inventory reconciliation, and financial controls. Managed payroll, scheduling, and team training while supporting store openings and closure.

Inventory Control Cycle Counts Payroll Processing team training Store Operations Microsoft Dynamics AX SAP

Department Manager – Children’s Shoes

Nordstrom

Jan 1998 - Dec 2003 (5 years 11 months)

Managed department operations including scheduling, inventory accuracy, and sales floor coverage. Coached team members on service standards and customer experience execution.

Department Management Scheduling Inventory Accuracy Team Coaching Customer Experience Retail Operations