Brent R VanKuiken
Sales Professional
Beavercreek,OH
Summary
Customer-oriented General Manager with 10 years of experience focused on increasing revenues and expanding margin. Adaptive and deadline-oriented consistently executes and completes multiple projects in high-stress environments. Meticulous leader and strategic planner with comprehensive managerial acumen, offering vision and motivational acumen.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Sales Counselor
Fischer Homes
Erlanger, Kentucky
06.2021 - 11.2023
- Developed customized sales presentations showcasing the unique benefits of our products and services, which led to higher closing rates.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing strategic sales plans tailored to individual clients'' needs.
- Took initiative to stay updated on industry news, attending relevant conferences and workshops, ensuring the sales approach remained relevant and competitive.
- Inspired trust and credibility with clients by maintaining a high level of professionalism in all interactions.
- Performed effectively in self-directed work environment, managing day-to-day operations and decisions.
- Mentored junior sales staff, providing guidance on effective selling techniques and best practices for achieving targets.
Lead Bartender
Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse
Louisville, KY
09.2019 - Current
- Work one on one with guests to ensure their absolute satisfaction.
- Provide fast, friendly, professional service to all guests that come up to the bar.
- Help guests navigate menu to get exactly what they are looking for.
- Confirm accuracy of orders against requisitions.
- Read guests to ensure they are happy and have everything they need.
- Create special menus for banquets and events of top end clientele
- Set up banquet room for special events and banquets
- Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary working environment.
- Quickly and accurately handle cash and payment transactions from guests.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Create weekly schedule for bartenders and cocktail servers
- Poured and prepared mixed drinks for over 150 customers daily and created new libations drawing in clientele.
- Closed out cash register with 100% accuracy and prepared cashier report.
- Upsold daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals.
- Developed unique drink and cocktail offerings on quarterly basis as part of seasonal offerings.
- Trained 6 new bartenders on all aspects of job, including drink preparation, up-selling techniques, maintaining customer relationships, garnish preparation and sanitation regulations.
Bartender
Doc Crows Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar
Louisville, KY
06.2015 - 03.2019
- Provide a guest experience with food and bourbon that exceeds all their expectations.
- Help guests navigate a bourbon and whiskey menu with over 350 whiskey’s.
- Create new drink recipes for menu's 2-3 times per year.
- Handle payments from guests quickly and accurately.
- Keep a clean and safe work environment.
- Maintain professional, healthy work relationships to create a positive work environment.
- Interpret face and body ques to ensure the guests needs are met.
- Remain knowledgeable in an ever growing whiskey Industry.
- Pride myself on being more informed and well rounded than the competition.
- Multitask and handle multiple guests and orders at one time.
- Work fast and flawlessly.
- Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
Merchant Account Executive
Vantiv
Cincinnati, OH
05.2012 - 03.2015
- Called on both warm and cold leads.
- Performed presentations and demos in person, over phone, and online.
- Exceeded fluctuating monthly sales goals 31 out of 33 months.
- Exceeded annual goals by average of 33%.
- Consistently learning in ever changing environment.
- Detailed notes on clients in Salesforce.
- Maintained routine communication with clients to assess overall satisfaction, resolve complaints and promote new offerings.
- Identified prospect needs and developed appropriate responses along with information on suitable products and services.
Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
Cincinnati, OH
06.2006 - 05.2012
- Team oriented manager of a $14 million per year restaurant.
- Successfully managed over 130 employees at a time by hiring, training, and giving semi annual performance reviews.
- Implemented catering and banquet menu's for the restaurant
- Performed weekly inventory and product ordering for a menu with more than 200 items.
- Exceeded weekly, monthly, and yearly sales goals by coaching staff daily and promoting an exciting and fun work environment with incentives for the staff.
- Completed daily sales numbers and cash balancing sheets.
- Counted safe and cash drawers accurately
- Maximized productivity by keeping detailed records of daily progress and identifying and rectifying areas for improvement.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands.
- Raised performance in areas of sales, management and operations by identifying and targeting areas in need of improvement.
Manager
Hammerjax Bar
Dayton, OH
06.2004 - 08.2006
- Onboarded new employees, including training, mentoring and new hire documentation.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team of 35 associates.
- Raised performance in areas of sales, management and operations by identifying and targeting areas in need of improvement.
- Strategized plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts, specialty drinks and customer-focused events.
- Reduced inaccuracies by carefully counting cash and keeping meticulous records of transactions.
- Motivated and disciplined employees and implemented new mentoring program, which increased worker morale.
Infantryman
U.S. Army And Reserves
Cincinnati, Ft. Lewis, OH, Wa
07.1999 - 07.2007
- Awarded Army Commendation Medal
- Awarded Army Achievement Medal
- Earned Expert Infantry Badge
- Squad Leader of our team
- Won Iron Man Award for my Company
- Led fire teams during battle drills and training exercises.
- Patrolled designated coverage areas and evaluated terrain for defensive use.
- Responded to emergencies with speed, efficiency and knowledgeable assistance.
Assistant Manager
Going To The Game
Beavercreek, Ohio
11.1997 - 09.1999
- Developed loyal and highly satisfied customer base through proactive management of team customer service strategies.
- Strengthened merchandising and promotional strategies to drive customer engagement and boost sales.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy and reducing discrepancies.
- Monitored security and handled incidents calmly.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service and responded to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service.
- Exceeded sales goals and accomplished business objectives by inspiring staff and promoting target products.
- Verified inventory counts remained within monthly tolerance levels and compiled financial data in compliance with budget.
- Assessed job applications and made hiring recommendations to bring in top candidates for key vacancies.
Education
No Degree - Business Management
Wright State University
Dayton, OH 08.2001 - 10.2003
High School Diploma -
Beavercreek High School
Beavercreek, OH 08.1996 - 06.1999
Skills
Operational leadership
Project Management
Employee management
Business Development
Customer Relationship Management
Strategic Planning
Staff training and development
Contract Management
Timeline
Sales Counselor
Fischer Homes
06.2021 - 11.2023
Lead Bartender
Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse
09.2019 - Current
Bartender
Doc Crows Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar
06.2015 - 03.2019
Merchant Account Executive
Vantiv
05.2012 - 03.2015
Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
06.2006 - 05.2012
Manager
Hammerjax Bar
06.2004 - 08.2006
No Degree - Business Management
Wright State University
08.2001 - 10.2003
Infantryman
U.S. Army And Reserves
07.1999 - 07.2007
Assistant Manager
Going To The Game
11.1997 - 09.1999
High School Diploma -
Beavercreek High School
08.1996 - 06.1999