Lynnette Backhaus
About Lynnette Backhaus
Lynnette Backhaus is the Sr. Manager of Store Format Strategy at Kohl's Department Stores, known for integrating Sephora stores into Kohl's locations and managing major brand launches.
Title
Lynnette Backhaus currently holds the position of Senior Manager for Store Format Strategy at Kohl's Department Stores. Her responsibilities include overseeing the integration and strategic format changes within the stores.
Professional Experience at Kohl's
At Kohl's Department Stores, Lynnette has played a critical role in various strategic initiatives since she joined. Notable projects include leading the integration of 200 Sephora stores into Kohl's locations within nine months, with plans to double this number in 2022. She also managed significant brand and product launches for Under Armour, Calvin Klein, Lands’ End, and Adidas. Her efforts have extended to reopening stores shuttered due to COVID-19 regulations, where she led a taskforce that earned stores an 'A' grade from Shop Safely. Additionally, she opened 31 new stores, ensuring projects were delivered within budget and ahead of timelines.
Leadership Role and Team Management
Lynnette Backhaus has demonstrated significant leadership capabilities during her tenure at Kohl's. She managed and developed a team of six, overseeing up to 200 employees. Her guidance has consistently resulted in employee engagement scores above the company average. She also spearheaded the Rightsizing Program, successfully transforming over 10 stores to a smaller footprint to enable new tenants in the unused spaces.
Response to Natural Disasters and Operational Challenges
In addition to her strategic responsibilities, Lynnette has been instrumental in addressing operational challenges. She assisted in remediating stores impacted by natural disasters, working closely with vendors and field teams to manage associate impact and inventory disruptions. This role highlights her capability in crisis management and operational recovery.
Education and Academic Background
Lynnette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she studied from 1998 to 2000. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management from the same institution from 1991 to 1996. Furthermore, she completed an unfinished Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Quality at Marian University of Fond du Lac from 1988 to 1991.
Early Career at Target
Before joining Kohl's, Lynnette worked as an Assistant Store Manager at Target. She was employed there from 1996 to 1998, where she gained valuable experience that has contributed to her current role in store format strategy and management.