Ashley Ludwig Ficek
Dundalk ,MD
Summary
Proven leader with extensive experience in operations management and team building, notably at Panera Bread Lemek, LLC. Excelled in driving performance improvements and implementing cost-saving measures, achieving significant profitability increases. Skilled in customer relationship management and staff development, fostering a culture of excellence and efficiency. Demonstrated ability to exceed sales targets through strategic planning and effective team oversight.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Panera Bread Lemek, LLC
Laurel, MD
04.2022 - Current
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
Assistant Manager
Panera Bread Lemek, LLC
Glen Burnie, MD
11.2012 - 04.2022
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
- Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accurate financial reporting and minimizing discrepancies.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies, and forecast future needs.
- Helped with planning schedules and delegating assignments to meet coverage and service demands.
- Managed inventory levels to minimize stockouts while reducing overhead costs.
- Mentored junior staff members in their professional development by offering guidance/support in their assigned roles.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service and responded to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service.
- Assisted in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new employees to maintain adequate staffing levels.
- Mentored team members to enhance professional development and accountability in workplace.
- Collaborated with the management team to develop strategic plans for business growth and improvement.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various projectstasks.
- Developed loyal and highly satisfied customer base through proactive management of team customer service strategies.
- Enforced company policies consistently while handling disciplinary actions when necessary with fairness and respect.
- Increased sales through effective merchandising strategies and targeted promotions.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage during peak shopping hours without exceeding labor budgets.
- Facilitated clear communication between employees and upper management through regular meetings and updates.
- Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding performance and celebrating team accomplishments.
- Conducted employee performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback for growth and development.
- Implemented staff training programs, enhancing product knowledge and improving customer service skills.
- Created employee schedules to align coverage with forecasted demands.
- Developed strategy to increase sales and drive profits.
- Made hiring recommendations to increase company's productivity and profitability with quality workers.
- Increased employee performance and job satisfaction to strengthen retention and engagement.
- Reviewed sales and gross profit report to assess company efficiency.
- Streamlined store operations for increased efficiency, implementing new processes and procedures.
- Monitored security to protect employees, customers and property.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
- Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets.
Associate
Panera Bread Lemek, LCLC
Pasadena, MD
08.2007 - 11.2012
- Worked varied hours to meet seasonal and business needs.
- Greeted customers and offered assistance for increased customer satisfaction.
- Prioritized tasks to meet tight deadlines, pitching in to assist others with project duties.
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving complex issues and providing exceptional service at all times.
- Provided product price information to customers.
- Managed customer relations through communication and helpful interactions.
- Identified customer needs and wants to enhance customer experiences and boost sales.
- Maintained relationships with customers to maximize sales opportunities.
- Developed strong client relationships through timely and thorough follow-up on inquiries and concerns.
- Trained and mentored junior staff on customer service strategies and techniques.
- Created solutions for customers to satisfy specific needs, quality and budget.
- Led training sessions for new employees to ensure smooth integration into the company culture and workflow.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase customer satisfaction and engagement.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing waste and ensuring optimal stock levels were maintained.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating effective communication across departments and teams.
- Analyzed customer data to identify trends and anticipate customer needs.
- Enhanced team productivity by streamlining communication and implementing efficient project management tools.
- Played an integral role in launching successful projects by coordinating tasks among team members while adhering closely to established timelines and budgets.
- Stocked merchandise, clearly labeling items, and arranging according to size or color.
- Answered customer questions about products and services, helped locate merchandise, and promoted key items.
- Managed efficient cash register operations.
- Volunteered for extra shifts during holidays and other busy periods to alleviate staffing shortages.
- Engaged in friendly conversation with customer to better uncover individual needs.
- Listened to customer needs and desires to identify and recommend optimal products.
- Delivered energetic responses to customers in-store and by telephone, going above and beyond to serve needs.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of store sales, payment policies and security standards.
Sales Associate
Best Buy
Glen Burnie, MD
06.2004 - 11.2006
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Handled cash transactions efficiently while adhering to company cash handling policies, ensuring accuracy in all financial exchanges.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Managed returns, exchanges and refunds in accordance with store policy.
- Maintained calm demeanor and professionally managed issues in busy, high-stress situations.
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Answered customer questions about sizing, accessories, and merchandise care.
- Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.
- Rotated stock and restocked shelves to maintain product availability and store appearance.
- Engaged with customers to build rapport and loyalty.
- Boosted customer satisfaction levels through exceptional service, addressing concerns promptly, and providing a welcoming store environment.
- Solved customer challenges by offering relevant products and services.
- Accurately processed POS transactions, returning coin, currency, payment cards, and receipts to customers.
- Collaborated with team members to improve overall store performance, sharing best practices, and offering support as needed.
- Increased sales revenue by building strong rapport with customers and recommending appropriate products based on their needs.
- Educated clients on current promotional offerings and products using persuasive selling tactics.
- Assessed customer needs and utilized suggestive selling techniques to drive sales.
- Engaged with customers to effectively build rapport and lasting relationships.
- Assisted in training new staff members on company policies, product information, and sales techniques for a seamless onboarding experience.
- Minimized wait times for customers during peak hours, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.
- Achieved monthly sales targets consistently by implementing effective sales strategies and maintaining a high level of product knowledge.
- Developed new client relationships by actively engaging with potential customers and highlighting the benefits of our product offerings.
- Enhanced team productivity by fostering a positive work environment and providing support to colleagues as needed.
- Managed conflict resolution with dissatisfied customers professionally, resulting in improved customer retention rates.
- Maintained accurate inventory records to ensure adequate stock levels, minimizing out-of-stock situations that could impact customer satisfaction.
- Participated in team meetings and training sessions regularly for continuous professional development within the retail industry.
- Generated new sales leads to achieve and exceed monthly sales goals.
- Provided personalized shopping experiences for repeat customers by remembering their preferences and offering tailored recommendations.
- Maximized profitability with strategic upselling techniques during one-on-one interactions with clients at the point of purchase.
- Organized in-store promotions and events to increase foot traffic and drive additional sales opportunities.
- Utilized cross-selling techniques to introduce customers to complementary products, increasing average transaction size.
- Streamlined processes within the store''s operations by organizing merchandise layouts for easy access.
- Answered customer questions about products and services, helped locate merchandise, and promoted key items.
- Managed efficient cash register operations.
- Stocked merchandise, clearly labeling items, and arranging according to size or color.
- Engaged in friendly conversation with customer to better uncover individual needs.
- Listened to customer needs and desires to identify and recommend optimal products.
- Built customer loyalty and retention by delivering excellent shopping experiences.
- Volunteered for extra shifts during holidays and other busy periods to alleviate staffing shortages.
- Delivered energetic responses to customers in-store and by telephone, going above and beyond to serve needs.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of store sales, payment policies and security standards.
- Used in-store system to locate inventory and place special orders for customers.
- Prioritized helping customers over completing other routine tasks in store.
- Developed strong rapport with customers and created positive impression of business.
- Worked to meet or exceed special targets for credit card applications, special donations and specific product promotions.
Education
High School Diploma -
Northeast High School
Pasadena, MD06.2006
Skills
- Leadership and team building
- Problem Resolution
- Operations Management
- Team Player
- Efficient multi-tasker
- Effective leader
- Time Management
- Training and coaching
- Team Leadership
- Staff Management
- Customer Relations
- Training and Development
- Relationship Building
- Staff Training
- Staff training/development
- Inventory Control
- Customer Relationship Management
- Staff Supervision
- Employee Scheduling
- Verbal and written communication
- Staff Training and Development
- Administrative Skills
- Staff Development
- P&L Management
- Team training and development
- Motivation
- Client Relations
- Schedule Management
- Staff Motivation
- Labor Cost Controls
- Customer Retention
- Process Improvements
- Deadline-oriented
- Strategic Planning
- Performance Improvement
- Vendor relationships
- Employee Development
- Consistently meet goals
- Facility Management
- Staffing
- Performance Evaluations
- Workflow Planning
- Purchasing
- Recruitment
- Expense Control
- Troubleshooting expertise
- Purchasing and planning
- Operations Oversight
- Performance Analysis
- Cost analysis and savings
- Cost Reductions
- Team Oversight
- Financial Administration
- Sales Analysis
- Account Management
- Data review
- Product Analysis
Timeline
General Manager
Panera Bread Lemek, LLC
04.2022 - Current
Assistant Manager
Panera Bread Lemek, LLC
11.2012 - 04.2022
Associate
Panera Bread Lemek, LCLC
08.2007 - 11.2012
Sales Associate
Best Buy
06.2004 - 11.2006
High School Diploma -
Northeast High School