Select Comfort Work Values

Daily Duties at Select Comfort:

SELECT COMFORT, Plymouth, Minnesota • 2000-2009 Manufacturer of Sleep Number bed Senior Director of Technical Services and Operations Ensured optimal performance of comprehensive technology for 470 stores, 4 manufacturing sites, 600 wholesale partners, and 15 distribution centers. Supported Oracle application suite on Oracle database, leveraged VB on SQL database for CRM and POS system development, and managed key software packages including Retail Lease, Demographics, CAD/CAM; AutoCAD, Unigraphics, and PDM; Windchill. Led automation initiative for MS Office, Visio, and Project installations and upgrades. Provided system administration for UNIX, AIX, Windows, Apple, disk backups/recovery, DR, and SAN. Oversaw key telecom technology including voice, 3 call centers, and LAN/WAN. Directed technical team in supporting 470+ stores’ PCs and cash registers, plus employees’ PDAs and cell phones. Developed annual strategic plans affecting all technology profiles; aligned strategies with business objectives. Ensured SLA fulfillment for service/help desk and consistently exceptional enterprise support 16/7. Contributed to PCI and SOX compliance. Undertook vendor negotiations and maintained accountability for $28M capital and expense budgets. Supervised and mentored 6 direct reports and 43 onshore and offshore indirect reports. Major Accomplishments: • Slashed budgets by 20% and 40% in 2007/2008 and 2009, respectively ($5.3M savings). • Managed budgets consistently within 3% for 8 years. • Won multiple awards from CEO for project delivery; company recognized with Outstanding Technology Award from CIO Magazine for Oracle implementation and tech overhaul. Technology Improvements: • Delivered $5.5M technology refresh across 450 stores on-time and under-budget, involving pressure mapping system, POS upgrade, wireless technology, PC installations, and PC upgrades; achieved ROI in 6 months. • Handpicked to establish operational readiness plan and improve performance from 96% to 99.9%. continued… GALEN LARSON • Page 2 • Galen.Larson@yahoo.com Senior Director, Technology Improvements, continued… • Spearheaded technology efforts in 4-story HQ including creating data center, installing low-voltage wiring, developing computer training and conference rooms, closing 2 campus locations, and transitioning 500 employees. Delivered project on-time and under-budget. • Reduced data center footprint by 13 racks by utilizing VMware and low-profile hardware. • Strengthened technology by undertaking refreshes for Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls; UNIX (SUN) Windows/Dell servers; load balancers; SAN EMC; and Hitachi. • Accountable for the technology stacks for both Oracle and SAP ERP implementations

What they like about Select Comfort:

A hiring company that offers alternative approaches to pay, performance bonuses, and/or equity in the firm is very attractive to you. You're generally less interested in working for an organization offering only traditional, salary-based compensation, one with limited opportunity to acquire equity in the firm, or one that does not actively promote skill development. In addition, you are more likely to choose a company that offers a variety of internal career options, with defined career paths. You view the learning of new skills and development of your expertise as key to your career advancement. These aspects of an organization may become even more important to you as you progress in your field, and are especially critical if you change career or occupation.

Tags

strategic planning, Employee Development, operational management, needs assessment, cost reduction, project/program management

Skills

strategic planning, project/program management, Budget management, Cost reduction/saving, employee development, Team building/development

These are some of the questions we asked our climbers about their experiences with Select Comfort: