Chris Grindstaff
Area Manager
Kansas City,KS
Summary
Professional in multi-unit management, equipped to optimize operations and drive business growth. Consistently exceeded targets through effective resource allocation and strategic planning. Known for fostering team collaboration, safety culture bar-raising, and adapting to dynamic business needs with focus on achieving results.
Results-driven management professional with strong focus on team collaboration and achieving goals. Proven track record of effective leadership, operational efficiency, and adaptability in dynamic environments. Skilled in fostering productive team cultures. Known for reliability and flexibility in meeting changing needs.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Manager II (L5)- Inbound Stow
Amazon
Kansas City, KS
09.2025 - Current
- Analyzed key performance indicators to drive decision-making and operational excellence.
- Conducted regular audits to ensure compliance with safety standards and company policies.
- Led a team to achieve company goals and exceed targets consistently, fostering a positive work environment.
- Managed daily operations for optimal performance, ensuring timely completion of tasks and projects.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations to identify areas for improvement and develop action plans for growth.
Area Manager II (L5) Inbound Dock
Amazon
Kansas City, KS
05.2023 - 09.2025
- Implemented process improvements to remove barriers and optimize resource allocation when on-site work was low and reduce operational costs to achieve top performance possible.
- Mentored and trained staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork within the inbound department
- Coordinated cross-functional teams for successful execution of regional initiatives. Leading shifts at L6 level of shift planning and execution in absence of Operations manager.
- Ensured compliance with company policies, safety regulations, job rotations and industry standards for department.
- Led a team to achieve company goals and exceed targets routinely, fostering a positive work environment for our shift.
- Managed daily operations for optimal performance, ensuring timely completion of tasks and projects and keeping inbound running smoothly along process path and WIP flow management.
- Assumed Coordinator Lead of ASC leadership for operations on FHN. Built and mentored trained safety ambassador team. Leveraged team to help drive safety culture across all shifts. Awarded Top Safety Team Award 2nd month into assuming role on Inbound dock.
- Fostered a culture of safety and continuous reduction of injury rate by 3% month over month.
- Drove a month over month increase in participation of ASC on my shift by 10%.
Area Manager II (L5)- Outbound Dock
Amazon
Kansas City, KS
04.2022 - 05.2023
- Led cross-functional teams to optimize operational efficiency and achieve performance targets of outbound ship dock.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance employee skills and productivity resulting in achieving status of certified gold dock status.
- Analyzed key performance indicators to identify opportunities for process improvements with the DEA and Quality compliance.
- Collaborated with senior management to streamline workflows and reduce operational costs and reduce ship sorter AGL and keep work flowing from packing department. Resulting in on time CPT output from dock.
- Assumed leadership role over the ASC for FHN. Conducted monthly meetings and floor safety walks Educated employees on best practices and procedures to increase safety within the department on our shift. Increased membership 2% month over month.
Area Manager (L4)- PCF
Amazon
Kansas City, KS
09.2020 - 04.2022
- Oversaw daily operations for multiple fulfillment centers, ensuring efficiency and productivity of the Pick Dept (PCF).
- Developed and implemented process improvements to enhance workflow and reduce operational costs.
- Trained and mentored team members on best practices for safety and performance standards.
- Analyzed key performance indicators of pick rate and quality performance to identify trends and drive strategic initiatives across shifts for department.
- Lead team of peer managers in absence of Operations Manager. Delivered several safe and higher performance shifts by over 2% improvement.
IB Stow PA (T3)
Amazon Fulfillment MKC6
Kansas City, KS
09.2018 - 09.2020
- -SOP Stow, Waterspidering, and TransShipment Operations
- -Operating VRC, Leading other waterspiders and setting pace for floor
- -Assisting stowers with problem solving knowledge and maintaining work flow and rate
- -Assisting Area Managers with setup for EOS handoff, Working through breaks as needed to meet or exceed building goals.
- -Hourly updating and EOS Reporting (TransShipment Reconciler)
- -WIP Flow Management
Education
High School Diploma -
Parkhill South Highschool
Riverside, MO05-2001
Skills
- -Operational: IB Stow/ RSR, Water Spider, VRC, Transshipment Reconcile, Corrugate Runner, PG Experience
- -Leadership: Floor Commander, VRC Operator
- Computing: Microsoft Operating Systems: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint; Skype, Chime
- Certified Forklift Operator
- Warehouse Shipping & Receiving
- Quality Inspection Professional
- CPR certified/First Responder
- Independent Thinking
- Lock Out/Tag Out Procedure
- Strategic and Critical Thinking
- Developing Positive Attitude Environment
- Staff management
- Performance management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Staff training and compliance
- Operations Lead Experience
- Quality assurance
- Staff scheduling
- Team building practices
- Strategic Safety Training and Development
Accomplishments
- -Graduated early from HS w/ College Credits
- -Assisted with launch of MKC6 Fulfillment Center
- -One of the First waterspiders/ TransShipment Reconcilers identified
- -Trained several associates in Waterspidering and Trans Rec
- -Set network record by assisting MKC6 stow over 1 million units in 24 hours
Timeline
Area Manager II (L5)- Inbound Stow
Amazon
09.2025 - Current
Area Manager II (L5) Inbound Dock
Amazon
05.2023 - 09.2025
Area Manager II (L5)- Outbound Dock
Amazon
04.2022 - 05.2023
Area Manager (L4)- PCF
Amazon
09.2020 - 04.2022
IB Stow PA (T3)
Amazon Fulfillment MKC6
09.2018 - 09.2020
High School Diploma -
Parkhill South Highschool