Melissa I. Abastillas
4948 Bridgepointe Place • Union City, CA 94587
Cell: 510-258-4739 • Melissa.Abastillas@yahoo.com
 

Experience   
10/04 – Present   Store Planner & Designer Ross Stores, Inc., Pleasanton, CA.
Store Planning:
• Design of Store plans needed to execute a “store project”. These would include but not specific to, fixture plans, merchandise plans, signage plans, and seismic plans which are designed in AutoCAD. A Store Project includes new stores, remodeling and expansions, department expansions, refurbishment projects and resets. These floor plans will be used to purchase, bid and execute a project.
• Evaluation of proposed retail environments for operational compliance to include but not limited to stock and merchandise handling, loss prevention and store operations.
• Maintain a current, accurate and up-to-date project file. Both drawings and all correspondence.
• Work in conjunction with construction and other Ross departments in all phases of the project from inception to completion.
• Visit sites as required, to ascertain all field conditions that will impact the architectural design phase.
• Conducts field inspections of interior finishes as required, to verify compliance to Ross retail specifications.
• Supervised and trained a diverse team of design professionals, including drafting new stores, remodels, special projects, RFP's and overseeing consultant contracts.
 

Space Optimization & Data Analyst:
• Proactively identify stores trending up that may require fixture needs, and evaluate sales contribution % analysis to determine opportunities for departmental growth or reduction.
• Monthly distribution of Store specific unit reports to the field
• Quarterly update on Prototype data analysis
• Support team with Store Data tools to support New Store and Special Projects
• Internal Data maintenance
• Develop and maintain tools, reports, to support business needs
• Created and was responsible for establishing the Design Database for entire chain specifying stores designs, retail projects, identifying ADA code restricted stores to help maintain design consistency throughout the chain. 

4/01 - 10/03  Jr. Store Planner & Designer Ross Stores, Inc., Newark, CA.
• Designed and created CAD drawings for New Stores, remodels and Special projects from start to finish.
• Coordinate Installs and solved problems on site.
• Work with Construction managers, Architects, and senior management on Store projects.
• Visit construction sites and existing stores to do store or construction surveys.
• Work with peers to develop better and accurate drawings throughout the entire store chain.

9/00 - 6/01  Office Designer/ Space Planner Side Mark, Inc., Santa Clara, CA.
• Create and develop CAD drawings for Installation, Clients and Architects.
• Manage, coordinate, plan and move clients as they execute from start to finish.
• Develop and manage inventory of client furniture.
• Walk through project punch list.
• Familiar with Tekion and Haworth furniture system and building codes.
• Visit building for inspections and site surveys.
• Produce billing of materials for client specifications with different options.

   
Education  
Bachelor, Computer Science, Minor: Information Systems, 3/93 
AMA University, Makati City, Philippines  
Thesis emphasis: Created program - Knowledge Conveyor System in Historical Masterpieces.    
Bachelor, Interior Design, 9/96  
Philippine School of Interior Design, Makati City, Philippines