Assistant General Manager at Sears Holdings Corporation
Logistics officer puts her military skills to good use shipping goods for Sears.
By Warren Duffie  

Shannon Kelly has a sharp eye for detail.

While serving in Iraq, the former Army logistics officer worked in maintenance, making sure parts and equipment were available to fix vital combat ground vehicles. Now, working for Sears Holdings Corporation, she sees to it that more than 284 stores receive their shipments on time.

“In the military, you learn the importance of attention to detail,” said the former captain. “You’re taught to plan and work toward flawless execution of a mission.” 

On the Job
Kelly, 30, brings that same intensity to her job with Sears Holdings – America’s fourth-largest multiline retailer, with more than 4,000 stores worldwide. The corporation operates through several subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Kmart Corporation.

Kelly is the assistant general manager of a Dallas-based direct delivery center. The million-square-foot facility ships large household appliances such as washers and dryers to Sears and Kmart locations throughout the Midwest. On an average day, the center sends out approximately 4,500 appliances.

Kelly oversees all logistics, staffing, productivity, and shipping and receiving for the facility. She typically works from 0630 to 1600, and spends much of her day making sure the center meets its shipping quotas during her shifts, as well as scheduling enough staff to work when she is off. 

In Uniform
Kelly grew up in an Army family. Her father and brother attended West Point, so it’s no surprise she followed in their footsteps. She graduated from the service academy with a bachelor’s degree in environmental geography in 2004.

After earning her commission, she attended her officer basic course in Aberdeen, Md. During her five-year military career, Kelly served in Iraq and Texas. 

The Transition
By 2009, Kelly felt she had accomplished all her personal military goals. Plus, she had served two tours in Iraq and was ready for a more relaxed professional life.

“While I was in Iraq the second time, I began to think about what civilian career I wanted,” Kelly said. “I knew I was good at logistics and serving in a leadership capacity. I wanted to find a company that was hiring for that type of job.”

When she returned to the U.S. in 2009, Kelly participated in transition classes and typed up a résumé highlighting her skills in logistics, personnel management and leading troops. She also attended a service academy career conference, where she submitted her résumé to more than 100 companies. Within days, Sears Holdings contacted her. After a lengthy interview process, Kelly started working in February 2010.

“I wanted to work for a company that would offer training and mentoring to help me be successful,” she said. “Sears is a perfect fit. My biggest fear about civilian life was whether I could get used to the more relaxed tempo and less-regimented aspects of civilian life, but my transition was very smooth.”  

Kelly’s Advice
Network. “Talk to people who have already made the transition. Most important, learn about what questions to ask during a job interview.” 

Be ready for the sticker shock. “My civilian salary is about the same as my military pay, but now I have to pay for my health insurance. Growing up in a military family and later serving in the Army, I never had to deal with health insurance. The military took care of everything. Do your research and evaluate the costs of civilian life before you get out.” 

Take your time getting out. “Make sure you’ve completed all of your out-processing paperwork properly.” 

Have an idea of what you want to do. “If you don’t yet know what you want to do, find a job with a skill set you’re good at.”

How’d You Get That Job?
When she returned to the U.S. in 2009, Kelly participated in transition classes and typed up a résumé highlighting her skills in logistics, personnel management and leading troops. She also attended a service academy career conference, where she submitted her résumé to more than 100 companies. Within days, Sears Holdings contacted her. After a lengthy interview process, Kelly started working in February 2010.

“I wanted to work for a company that would offer training and mentoring to help me be successful. Sears is a perfect fit. My biggest fear about civilian life was whether I could get used to the more relaxed tempo and less-regimented aspects of civilian life, but my transition was very smooth.”

What Kelly Likes About Her Job

• Staying in the logistics field.
• Each day is fast-paced, with new challenges.

www.gijobs.com/sears