Darin Parton

• Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction with timely and accurate issue resolution.
• Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work.
• Observed packing operations to verify conformance to specifications.

• Assisted with SKU rationalization and assortment, including stocked versus JIT portfolios.
• Implemented specific initiatives to promote growth of new product lines, helping drive conversions of competitive offerings.
• Facilitated regular communication with clients to ensure their needs were met, fostering long-lasting relationships built on trust and mutual respect.
• Demonstrated products to show potential customers benefits and advantages and encourage purchases.
• Developed customized solutions for clients based on a deep understanding of their unique pain points, delivering exceptional value and driving repeat business.
• Generated new business with marketing initiatives and strategic plans.
• Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.

• Improved site efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and procedures.
• Resolved conflicts among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Streamlined reporting processes, increasing accuracy while reducing time spent on administrative tasks.
• Developed effective communication channels between onsite teams and offsite management staff.
• Monitored inventory levels, ordering supplies as needed to minimize downtime due to shortages.
• Oversaw daily site operations to ensure work was completed accurately and efficiently.
• Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
• Implemented robust inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and minimize waste/costs associated with excess product storage.
• Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.

Center-of the Plate Specialist

US Foods, Fife

May 2014 - April 2021

• Drove COP category growth
• Drove COP EB growth
• Supported COP initiatives from Corporate, Region & Area - Account calls with Territory Managers (TMs)supporting "Team Sell" approach
• Point of contact with Stock Yards (Ameristar) team
• Team-up with category specialist team members supporting events, meetings and key calls whenever/wherever needed
• Main point of contact with local outsourced partner, helped initial integration when business was transitioned from Stock Yards facility to the model 5 meat company
• Conducted COP training and breakout sessions at all GSMs
• Conducted Scoop breakout training sessions
• Managed COP areas for 2016 & 2018 Seattle Food Fanatic Live (FFL) events, supported SLC 2017’s FFL and Denver’s 2019 FFL events
• Presented "The Grade" Win At COP training modules with positive increased sales results during Sales activation weeks
• Member of Integration team for COP item mapping project in preparation for SGA acquisition approval

• Responsible for procurement department including all inventory, managing buyers, vendor relations, direct and program buying, forward buys, system pricing, key account presentations, market reporting, etc. - Participated in two system conversions, first to the US Foodservice "A-sys" and second to the production add-on "ACOP" system

• Specialist supporting SY direct sales force - Responsible for 3 of the 6 US Foodservice Fife's districts working in the field with their TM's - Key account presentations - Conducted TM and customer plant tours

• Category analysis/management initially for fresh commodity and branded beef programs, with pork added later - Maintained solid and productive working relationships with vendor and broker communities - Proposed and successfully switched out entire frozen ground beef patty program - Managed and directed category COP procurement specialist's purchasing - Managed spot-buy opportunities, seasonal opportunity buys with Corporate buy-ins or negotiated directly with vendors to cover street business and margin enhancement opportunities
• Also coordinated with program and national sales, military and cruise line business managers to cover their specific needs.

• Outside sales writing $80,000/week to non-program/distributor customers. - CAB specialist for 6 years, featured in Certified Angus Beef's Orbit DVD marketing program - Sales manager outside sales team - Assistant GM and buyer - Distributor sales - Sysco Kent, FSA Portland - Project Manager of the initial computerization of production facility
• Oversaw integration of the Aspen production and invoicing software along with installation of production scales/printers and office printers
• Created all new categories and unique product code numbers for thousands of SKUs for efficient use with new production software - it is still in use today.

• Plant clean-up - Plant liaison with USDA inspector - Meat cutter