Darren Cook
Tempe,AZ
Summary
Strategic-thinking individual experienced in turning low-performing organizations into top revenue producers. Offering engaging and pleasant personality with expertise improving customer relationships.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Production Operations
Thrive Screen Printing
01.2023 - Current
- Trained staff in operation and upkeep of equipment.
- Planned and implemented production schedules and develop project budget.
- Monitored all aspects of screen printing activities to enforce production standards and maintained knowledge of events affecting established schedule.
- Standardized production procedures, job roles, and quality assurance guidelines.
- Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
- Managed continuous improvement initiatives to drive gains in quality, flow, and output.
- Estimated labor requirements to support anticipated workload.
- Sourced materials to keep up with production goals and meet customer demands.
- Partnered with leadership on recruiting, hiring and coaching production personnel.
- Determined suitable crew requirements, scheduled employees, and worked with human resources to meet changing production schedules.
- Created streamlined production schedules and collaborated with production employees to communicate objectives and goals.
- Wrote and conducted formal performance reviews for production personnel.
- Studied department operations to assist with development of new or improved methods of tooling and production processes.
- Oversaw routine maintenance programs and scheduled service to keep equipment functioning at peak levels.
- Implemented quality control system to review products against technical specifications and corporate standards.
- Evaluated projects for required production resources.
- Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
- Reviewed work for quality and compliance with company standards and design specifications.
- Devised and administered cost control initiatives saving $200,000
- Through increasing work flow, improving work force, consolidated buying, targeted hiring, training and reorganization of workforce. Thrive is in a place to be profitable.
Production Manager
Acme Prints
02.2022 - 11.2022
- Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
- Reviewed work for quality and compliance with company standards and design specifications.
- Managed continuous improvement initiatives to drive gains in quality, flow, and output.
- Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
- Estimated labor requirements to support anticipated workload.
- Sourced materials to keep up with production goals and meet customer demands.
- Partnered with leadership on recruiting, hiring and coaching production personnel.
- Created streamlined production schedules and collaborated with production employees to communicate objectives and goals.
- Monitored team budgets to keep projects on task and avoid waste.
- Studied department operations to assist with development of new or improved methods of tooling and production processes.
- Wrote and conducted formal performance reviews for production personnel.
- Enforced health and safety protocols to promote safe working environment.
- Increased production by 35%
- Standardized production procedures, job roles, and quality assurance guidelines.
- Reviewed maintenance and repair problems to determine appropriate action for resolution.
- Created and oversaw production schedules and adjusted as needed to meet deadlines.
- Monitored inventory levels and restocking schedules to avoid production delays from unavailable materials.
- Coordinated with other departments to align production with customer requirements.
- Evaluated employee performance and provided feedback and training as needed.
- Scrutinized production output and identified areas for improvement.
- Planned operations to meet established schedules, factoring in order demands and business forecasts.
- Analyzed production data and prepared reports for senior management.
- Researched latest industry trends and technologies, boosting knowledge and understanding of industrial production.
- Devised and administered cost control initiatives saving $100,000.
President
Sasquatch Screen Printing And Embroidery
06.2015 - 10.2020
- Grew business from zero dollars to over 4.5 million in 3 years
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
- Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives.
- Monitored financial performance and implemented measures to enforce compliance with budgetary standards.
- Supported project management team for optimal performance.
- Prepared annual budget forecasts and monitored performance to meet organizational objectives.
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies in collaboration with executive partners to establish and achieve long-term business objectives, providing company with strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Employed optimal safety practices to reduce worksite complaints and hazards.
- Established innovative policies to improve organizational performance and increase customer satisfaction.
- Led operational team in development, rollout, and management of new product lines.
- Facilitated communication between departmental teams and stakeholders to build consensus.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Oversaw divisional marketing, advertising and new product development.
- Shaped solutions and approaches by leveraging trends in customer marketplaces and industries.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
- Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
Senior Account Executive
Momentum Marketing
08.2012 - 04.2015
- Employed proactive and collaborative approaches to strengthen relationships and manage customer needs.
- Established customer relationships, interfacing with representatives and collaborating to achieve mutually beneficial results.
- Brought in over $1.5 million in revenue while managing multiple high-profile accounts.
- Prepared documentation, finalized sales and maintained records.
- Met with new customers to share product and service information, listen to needs and learn about business operations.
- Obtained pricing deals, negotiated contracts, and solidified beneficial agreements.
- Secured new accounts to increase company revenue and drive market share.
- Maintained contact information database by keeping account details updated, clear and relevant.
- Cold called prospects to explain partnership benefits, representing company values.
- Set and monitored sales targets and identified potential customers.
- Performed effectively in self-directed work environment, managing day-to-day operations and decisions.
- Brought in over $2,000,000 in revenue while managing multiple high-profile accounts.
- Contributed to annual revenue goals by selling new services and developing new accounts.
- Employed sales techniques to achieve 70% success rate closing sales.
- Collaborated with research analysts to devise strategies for lead generation and growth.
Independent Sales Representative /Small Business Owner
West Coast Branded Solutions
09.2004 - 06.2011
- Consulted with customers to assess requirements, offer product recommendations and resolve technical issues after sales.
- Employed variety of sales practices to accommodate each customer's individual needs and overcome objections.
- Conducted on-site product demonstrations to highlight features, answer customer questions, and redirect concerns toward positive aspects.
- Used strong customer service skills to develop loyal customer base.
- Conferred with existing and potential customers to assess requirements and propose optimal solutions.
- Devised successful strategies to maximize account penetration and drive business development.
- Orchestrated efficient and performance-oriented daily work plan to maximize time usage and customer connections.
- Evaluated inventory and delivery needs and optimized strategies to meet customer demands.
- Conducted daily follow-up calls to answer client's questions and manage sales process.
- Identified new customers by attending trade-shows, networking and performing cold-calls.
- Maintained 30% sales growth with strategic territory management and effective relationship-building annually.
- Analyzed and implemented account penetration strategies for target customers.
- Educated customers by providing hands-on demonstrations and explaining benefits and advantages of using different products in specific markets.
Education
High School Diploma -
Kentridge High School
Kent, WA06.1989
Skills
- Operations Oversight
- Procedure Implementation
- Performance Improvement
- Growth Planning
- Project Management
- Administrative Support
- Policy Development
- Operational Management
- Revenue Generation
- Strategic Planning
Accomplishments
Started and developed 3 sales based organization building each from zero dollars to over 10 million in sales annually.
Worked closely with suppliers and distributors to establish and maintain relationships and distribution chain.
Certification
Six Sigma Black Belt
Certification# 119637171
Team building certified
Certification# 119637172
Certified Advertising Specialist
Timeline
Director of Production Operations
Thrive Screen Printing
01.2023 - Current
Production Manager
Acme Prints
02.2022 - 11.2022
President
Sasquatch Screen Printing And Embroidery
06.2015 - 10.2020
Senior Account Executive
Momentum Marketing
08.2012 - 04.2015
Independent Sales Representative /Small Business Owner
West Coast Branded Solutions
09.2004 - 06.2011
High School Diploma -
Kentridge High School