Tara Lane Roney
Ocean Springs,MS
Summary
Experienced operations leader with a strong background managing high volume, fast paced business environments with over $150M in annual sales volume and 350+ associates. Recognized for building strong teams, improving operational performance, implementing sustainable processes, and leading organizations through complex operational challenges and change initiatives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Store Lead
Walmart
11.2021 - Current
- Selected by market leadership to provide operational support and interim leadership coverage for high volume supercenters during critical business challenges, including extended Store Manager LOAs, operational instability, and underperforming digital fulfillment metrics
- Recognized for strong operational leadership, team development, and ability to lead complex, high volume retail operations in rapidly changing environments
- Selected to lead and support major operational initiatives and storewide execution strategies within a high volume market
- Led operations for $150M retail supercenter with 350+ associates and 10+ salary leaders
- Directed daily store operations spanning Grocery, General Merchandise, Front End, Digital, Fresh, and Stocking teams while maintaining focus on customer experience, operational execution, and profitability
- Led, coached, and developed salaried and hourly leadership teams through performance management, succession planning, and accountability focused leadership routines
- Was able to drive operational performance through analysis of key business metrics including sales, labor, shrink, inventory accuracy, customer satisfaction, and digital fulfillment performance
- Supported high volume omnichannel operations, including Online Pickup & Delivery (OPD) by improving workflow execution, inventory integrity, FTPR, and PreSub metrics
- Led cross-functional teams during high pressure operational periods including holiday events, inventory preparation, regional visits, and company directed initiatives
- Strengthened associate engagement and workplace culture through active coaching, listening sessions, recognition programs, and leadership visibility
Coach
Walmart
07.2016 - 05.2021
- Drives financial performance and sales by overseeing P&L, assisting with budget execution and managing shrink
- Provides development opportunities for associates by hiring and training, mentoring, and providing recognition and feedback
- Oversee job related activities and ensures team is executing to One Best Way standard
- Driving sales and increasing profit margins by executing merchandising strategies based on store demographics and YOY sales data
Assistant Manager
Walmart
07.2015 - 10.2020
- Oversee operations for 21 departments on the General Merchandise sector of the Supercenter. These operations include: sales, merchandising, training, managing expenses, tracking P&L, and ensuring processes are being executed to maintain merchandise in-stock for customer availability.
- Successfully executed the 2018 Black Friday Event. During which, I oversaw all merchandising plans, staffing assignments and training, along with operational priorities. Resulting in a 58.3% sell through rate placing our store #1 in the Market and the Region.
- Executed Total Store Remodel Project as 1 of 2 Lead Supervisors
- Executed the Apparel Reinvention Project along with the Entertainment of the Future Remodel
- Oversaw the Entertainment of the Future project
Director of Operations
The Tortilla Press
06.2013 - 02.2015
- Oversee the function of two separate restaurants to ensure excellent customer service and maximize revenue and profits.
- Maintain profitability of both restaurants, control payroll and equipment costs (minimizing loss and misuse), evaluate cost effectiveness of all aspects of operation. Develop and implement cost saving and profit enhancing measures. Review, prepare and update forecasts as needed.
- Reduced cost of labor from a 26% to 19.4% by creating, training, and managing new standard operating procedures for each position.
- Reduced food costs by 13% by training management staff on recognizing areas of opportunity to prevent waste, POS mistakes, inventory control, and portion control.
- Identified and eliminated several theft issues occurring with the hourly employees and management staff.
Assistant General Manager
Chili's Bar & Grill
12.2009 - 10.2013
- Meet financial objectives assigned to our specific location. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for FOH/BOH. Control purchasing and inventory. Track gross profit margin by accurately forecasting sales and scheduling within our labor budget.
- Increased GPM by 3% for Q1 and Q2 by developing new SOP's which significantly reduced the labor and food costs.
- Was able to reach 100% of our budget (labor, operational supplies, repair and maintenance, theoretical, and guest satisfaction) for the first time at this location in over 5 years and has consistently been reached at 100% every quarter since January 2010.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management/ Travel & Tourism
University of Southern Mississippi
Long Beach, MS01-2009
Hospitality Marketing and Management/ Travel & Tourism
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Gulfport, MS01-2007
Skills
- Process Improvement Certification through Harvard ManageMentor
- ServSafe Certified since 2013 (Most recent certification issued 2/2/26)
- Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) Certification
- "Train The Trainer" Certified
- Data Driven Storytelling Certification
- Influencing, Collaborating, and Decision Making Certification
- Extensive knowledge calculating the break even point, gross profit margin, P&L, forecasting sales, and creating budgets
- Literate with proficiency in Microsoft applications including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Works, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Access
- Certified through the American Hotel and Lodging Association in the following courses: Hospitality Marketing Services, Supervision in the Hospitality Industry, and Planning and Control for the Hospitality Industry
- Successfully completed the Store Manager Training Path in the "My Career Path Program"
Timeline
Store Lead
Walmart
11.2021 - Current
Coach
Walmart
07.2016 - 05.2021
Assistant Manager
Walmart
07.2015 - 10.2020
Director of Operations
The Tortilla Press
06.2013 - 02.2015
Assistant General Manager
Chili's Bar & Grill
12.2009 - 10.2013
Hospitality Marketing and Management/ Travel & Tourism
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management/ Travel & Tourism
University of Southern Mississippi