Elissa Cusma - Experienced Retail Leader and Category Manager

Professional Overview

Elissa Cusma is an accomplished retail professional with extensive experience in store management, operations, and category strategy. As the Store Director at J.Crew in Franklin, Tennessee, she oversees all aspects of store performance, driving sales growth, enhancing customer experiences, and leading a high-performing team. Elissa also serves as a Category Manager at Victoria's Secret, where she leverages her deep industry insights to optimize product assortments and maximize profitability.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

Store Director, J.Crew (2014 - Present)

• Responsible for all day-to-day operations of a high-volume retail store, including staffing, inventory management, and budget oversight

• Consistently exceeded sales and profitability targets, achieving 12% year-over-year growth in the past two fiscal years

• Implemented innovative merchandising strategies that improved product visibility and increased average transaction values by 8%

• Developed and led a highly engaged team of 25+ associates, driving a 15% improvement in store-level customer satisfaction scores

Category Manager, Victoria's Secret (2012 - Present)

• Analyze market trends, customer data, and sales performance to identify opportunities for category expansion and product optimization

• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop and execute category-level strategies that delivered a 7% increase in gross margin over the past year

• Spearheaded the introduction of a new intimate apparel line that became the brand's top-selling product within six months of launch

Career Progression

Operations and Staffing Supervisor, Victoria's Secret (2011 - 2012)

• Oversaw daily store operations, including staff scheduling, inventory control, and customer service delivery

• Implemented process improvements that enhanced operational efficiency and reduced labor costs by 4%

Bra Specialist, Victoria's Secret (2011)

• Provided exceptional customer service and product expertise, consistently exceeding sales targets by 15%

Finance Intern, TreeHouse (2009 - 2010)

• Assisted with financial reporting, budgeting, and data analysis to support strategic decision-making

Academic Background

Elissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Tennessee, where she graduated cum laude.

Areas of Expertise

• Retail store management and operations

• Category strategy and product optimization

• Customer experience and engagement

• Data-driven decision making

• Team leadership and development

Professional Impact

• Recognized as a top-performing store director, receiving multiple awards for sales excellence and customer service

• Invited to speak at industry conferences on the topic of leveraging data analytics to drive retail performance

• Actively involved in community initiatives, including serving on the board of a local non-profit organization focused on youth development

Conclusion

Elissa Cusma is a seasoned retail professional with a proven track record of driving operational efficiency, sales growth, and customer satisfaction. With her strong leadership skills, strategic mindset, and deep industry expertise, Elissa is well-positioned to continue making a meaningful impact within the retail sector.