Michael Padilla

Retail, Operations, and Asset Protection leader with 10+ years of experience leading high-volume operations, logistics, inventory flow, investigations, team development, safety, and business performance across $70M retail environments. Proven success leading organizations supporting 150+ employees, influencing multi-site operations across 12 locations, and contributing to group-level development impacting 70+ locations. Drove +10% sales growth, improved fulfillment and operational performance through workforce planning and process optimization, and reduced shortage from 2.5% to 1.3% through investigations, partnerships, and operational improvement.

Experienced in leading inbound freight operations, merchandise flow, staffing strategy, compliance, and large-scale operational execution in fast-paced environments. Known for developing strong teams, strengthening accountability, and balancing operational performance, safety, customer experience, and business results.

Executive Team Leader – General Merchandise at Target (2025-01 – Present)

• Direct daily operations for a 70-million-dollar sales retail location while overseeing staffing, customer service, sales execution, operational efficiency, and team development.
• Manage labor planning, staffing deployment, and workflow coordination for daily freight processing and merchandise execution operations involving large-volume inbound shipments of 1500-3000 cartons daily.
• Manage and coach leadership teams while supporting over 150 employees, including 50 direct employees, and 5 team leaders across multiple departments.
• Maintain and drive all store online fulfillment business, maintaining a consistent 98% pick on time goal, and an under 2% goal of items not found within the store.
• Contribute to over 10% sales growth across assigned business areas through operational planning, performance management, merchandising strategy, and customer service execution.
• Regularly lead campus recruitment efforts at Oklahoma State University, resulting in the successful recruitment and development of multiple Executive Team Leaders across the Tulsa Market.
• Team trainer for Tulsa Market, leading training efforts with all new in-role General Merchandise Executive Leaders.
• Handle escalated customer concerns and service recovery situations while maintaining positive customer relationships and delivering effective resolutions.
• Oversee operational security procedures, opening and closing responsibilities, compliance expectations, and cash-handling duties.
• Oversee inventory execution, merchandise availability, replenishment strategies, and operational processes supporting product flow and customer demand.
• Review team performance, conduct coaching conversations, assist with scheduling, and support performance evaluation processes for leaders and team members.
• Partner with leaders to improve culture and team development, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and workload execution in a fast-paced environment.

Executive Team Leader – Assets Protection at Target (2017-01 – 2025-01)

• Led operational compliance, customer safety, theft investigations, and risk management initiatives for $70 million retail facilities.
• Successfully closed more than 60 internal investigations involving internal theft policy violations, and over 100 investigations involving fraud, and HR policy violations.
• Reduced inventory shortage from 2.5% to 1.3%, decreasing every year while in role, through operational accountability, auditing, process improvements, and leadership collaboration.
• Served as a district trainer and mentor supporting onboarding, leadership development, and operational training initiatives across 12 locations.
• Successfully recovered over $250,000 in company assets; over the course of 650 recovery incidents.
• Delivered presentations and operational training, influencing district and group-level teams across more than 70 locations, contributing to comping metrics.
• Managed sensitive customer and employee situations requiring professionalism, confidentiality, problem-solving, and strong communication skills.
• Conducted operational audits and compliance reviews while ensuring adherence to company policies, procedures, and regulatory expectations.
• Oversaw operational security procedures including opening and closing protocols, emergency response coordination, and incident management.
• Led training initiatives related to operational procedures, customer interaction standards, accountability, and leadership development.
• Built strong partnerships with leadership teams, vendors, and external partners while supporting operational and business objectives across multiple departments.

Assets Protection Specialist at Target (2015-01 – 2017-01)

• Led a direct team of Assets Protections to reduce shortage, maintain minimal inventory loss, and prevent theft.
• Supported daily operations through customer service, operational audits, incident response, and security procedures.
• Assisted leadership teams with operational compliance, shortage reduction initiatives, and customer service support.
• Responded professionally to customer and employee concerns while maintaining a safe and positive environment.
• Supported investigations and operational reviews while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

H.S. Diploma – Desert Sands High School (2009)