Dan Kettinger
Milwaukee,WI
Summary
With over a decade of dynamic leadership roles under my belt, I've made my mark as a Director of Operations and a Senior Area Manager, honing a reputation as a profit-driven strategist. My expertise lies in capitalizing on financial acumen to maximize operational efficiency and performance. I consistently utilize a P&L-oriented approach to drive decision-making and foster growth.
One of my core strengths is identifying talent and nurturing their potential to become exceptional multi-unit leaders. Through dedicated mentoring, I've seen them evolve into high-performing professionals, instrumental in achieving outstanding profit margins.
Guided by a clear strategic vision, I approach challenges with a holistic view. The big picture is always in my sights, informing every decision and initiative I undertake. Underpinning my leadership style is a commitment to accountability and ownership, critical values that have consistently translated into tangible results.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Regional Director of Operations
Take 5 Oil Change
10.2021 - 07.2023
- Worked collaboratively with functional leaders to implement new procedures and corrective actions to improve quality.
- Was directly responsible for 40 locations, 220+ employees and 8 direct reports.
- Set team and individual KPIs and provided regular, actionable feedback.
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives.
- Monitored budget and utilized operational resources.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop and execute long-term corporate goals and objectives.
- Mentored and coached team members to foster productive and engaging work environment.
- Analyzed customer feedback and identified areas for improvement to drive business success.
- Analyzed business operations and implemented strategies to improve operational cohesiveness.
- Oversaw successful implementation of operational strategies and policies to drive organizational growth and productivity.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Achieved team goals through formalized training plans, coaching, and performance management.
- Spearheaded implementation of process improvements and cost-saving initiatives to increase value and maximize profits.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Senior Area Operations Manager
Valvoline Instant Oil Change
04.2017 - 10.2021
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align operations with corporate objectives.
- Monitored and analyzed performance data, identifying areas of improvement and developing corrective action plans.
- Spearheaded operational procedures and processes to improve efficiency and optimize operations.
- Led weekly meetings with regional staff to review progress, address challenges and drive timely task completion.
- Devised and executed training plans for new and existing staff to support competency and compliance.
- Traveled to over 5 locations per week to manage each store and perform reviews of individual managers and employees.
- Enforced compliance with local, state and federal regulations and company standards.
- Developed processes to save on costs and prevent losses.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow.
- Enhanced regional branch performance by implementing proven management processes to increase revenue.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- 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.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets.
Service Center Manager
Valvoline Instant Oil Change
04.2015 - 08.2017
- Trained new staff members on company policies and center expectations.
- Scheduled daily service center employees and monitored performances.
- Prepared monthly budgets for overall staff and center.
- Implemented training systems for new employees on [Service].
- Presented budgets and performance reports to corporate offices.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
Education
Completion Certificate - Leadership/Ownership
Extreme Ownership Academy
Online 10.2022 - Current
Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles - Business Management
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA05.2023
Associate of Applied Science - Automotive Technology
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI05.2007
High School Diploma -
Chequamegon High School
Park Falls, WI08.1988
Skills
- Client Advocacy
- Overseeing Logistics
- Inventory Control Processes
- Interdepartmental Cooperation
- Cost Control
- Strategic Vision
- Inventory Tracking and Management
- Leadership Training
- Overseeing Events
- Budgetary Reviews
- Recruitment Strategizing
- Overseeing Personnel
- Employee Performance Reviews
- Revenue Generation
- Brand Awareness
- Process Improvement
- Team Goals
- Budget Controls
- Manage Operations
- Facility Improvement
- Performance Analysis
- Constructive Feedback
- Travel Itineraries
- Business Policies and Procedures
- Operational Excellence
- Six Sigma Processes
- Goal Attainment
- Atlassian JIRA
- Directing Team Members
- Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
- Process and Performance Improvement
- Financial Controls Implementation
- Organizational Leadership
Accomplishments
- Achieved 70% Sales Comp beat 2nd half of 2022 and 60% Sales comp beat in 1st half of 2023 through effective team development and strong operation excellence.
- Increased ancillary sales from 29% to 48% from Q1 2022 to Q3 2022 which stayed consistent until the end of employment.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Introduced ancillary sales item to contribute to EBITDA and Net Revenue beat.
- In the last 12 months, I personally trained and promoted 5 single store managers into productive, profitable multi-unit managers.
- Introduced new coursework & training plan to develop high profiting multi-unit managers
Certification
- Extreme Ownership Academy, Echelon Front. 01/2023 - 05/2023
- Licensed Proctor MACS Worldwide (Mobile Air Conditioning Society). 03/2020
- ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification - Refrigerant Recycle and Recovery. 09/2005
- Freedom Team Salute Award - U.S. Army 03/2001
- LinkedIn Learning Certificates in the following;
Additional Information
As a dedicated student of leadership, I continuously pursue avenues to amplify my leadership capabilities, a commitment that not only drives organizational excellence but also cultivates the potential of my team members. My adherence to the "5 Levels of Accountability" framework underscores my approach, ensuring the evolution of resilient leaders and the empowerment of individuals to attain their apex potential.
My drive for knowledge is ceaseless. I actively assimilate innovative strategies, melding them seamlessly with my existing expertise. Noteworthy achievements in this realm include the completion of the esteemed 'Extreme Ownership Academy Course' via Echelon Front. Additionally, I am currently advancing my skills through Harvard's Online Certificate programs in Business Management.
Timeline
Completion Certificate - Leadership/Ownership
Extreme Ownership Academy
10.2022 - Current
Regional Director of Operations
Take 5 Oil Change
10.2021 - 07.2023
Senior Area Operations Manager
Valvoline Instant Oil Change
04.2017 - 10.2021
Service Center Manager
Valvoline Instant Oil Change
04.2015 - 08.2017
Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles - Business Management
Harvard University
Associate of Applied Science - Automotive Technology
Milwaukee Area Technical College
High School Diploma -
Chequamegon High School