Dawn Cates
Durham,NC
Summary
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Receiving Supervisor
Burlington Coat Factory Department Store
Durham, NC
05.2023 - Current
- Directed and coordinated roles and responsibilities of receiving floor staff with efficiency and intelligence.
- Conducted employee training and onboarding processes with strategic goals in mind.
- Maintained tidy, organized and safe work area to comply with cleanliness standards.
- Unloaded pallets and deliveries and organized products in warehouse.
- Unloaded and unpacked incoming shipments to facilitate orders and verify accuracy of contents.
- Maintained accurate computer records of materials weights, bill amounts, and identified variances.
- Properly labeled and stored goods in safe area to provide identification and avoid losses.
- Trained new staff on job duties, company policies, and safety procedures for rapid onboarding.
- Inspected work areas to keep free of hazards and maintain proper function of safety equipment.
- Assigned tasks to team members to complete within designated time frames.
- Met or exceeded production goals and objectives by following strict procedures.
- Handled day-to-day shipping and receiving overseeing more than 250packages per day, Tuesday- Friday.
- Evaluated team performance and provided feedback on areas requiring improvement.
- Maintained accurate records of team attendance and documented disciplinary actions.
- Determined staffing needs, developing schedules to staff all shifts.
Closing Team Lead
Burlington Coat Factory Department Store
Durham, NC
01.2023 - Current
- Answered customer questions about products and services, helped locate merchandise, and promoted key items.
- Stocked merchandise, clearly labeling items, and arranging according to size or color.
- Engaged in friendly conversation with customer to better uncover individual needs.
- Managed efficient cash register operations.
- Volunteered for extra shifts during holidays and other busy periods to alleviate staffing shortages.
- Provided exceptional services and pleasant shopping experiences to retail customers.
- Monitored customers for signs of security concerns and escalated issues to management.
- Worked to meet or exceed special targets for credit card applications, special donations and specific product promotions.
- Counted money in cash drawers at beginning and end of shifts to maintain accuracy.
- Assisted customers with returns, refunds and resolving transaction issues.
- Performed cash, card and check transactions to complete customer purchases.
- Used POS system to enter orders, process payments and issue receipts.
- Learned duties for various positions and provided backup at key times.
- Processed refunds and exchanges in accordance with company policy.
Educational ASL Interpreter
Durham Public Schools
Durham, NC
01.2001 - 05.2023
- Attended training programs to improve professional knowledge and interpretation skills.
- Facilitated communication between deaf or hard of hearing individuals and hearing peers, teachers, administration and staff.
- Supported student education by accompanying non-hearing individuals to classes, study sessions and assemblies to translate instruction, conversation and documents.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Provided interpretation services for deaf and hard of hearing with any student, or staff member.
- Collaborated in planning meetings to better serve hard of hearing in regular classroom settings.
- Collaborated in planning meetings to better serve hard of hearing in classroom settings.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Day Camp Director
Coastal Pines Girl Scouts
Durham, NC
01.2013 - Current
- Maintained fun, learning-focused atmosphere by smoothly handling conflicts and developing culture centered around collaboration and personal responsibility.
- Supervised camper and team safety by issuing clear directives for ideal behaviors and required monitoring strategies.
- Arranged packed activity schedule with numerous outdoor activities, crafts and learning opportunities.
- Coached and mentored camp counselors and instructors in effective strategies for relating to students and teaching important life skills.
- Oversaw team of counselors and support team members.
- Organized field trips to off-site locations and handled scheduling, transportation and payments.
- Assigned work to staff, set schedules and motivated strong performance in key areas.
- Established vendor relationships to access timely services in support of events.
- Administered First Aid and CPR to participants in distress.
- Offered campers compassionate support for personal and social issues, helping each develop positive skills for dealing with interpersonal conflicts.
- Managed camp operations for Forest Hills Park facility serving over 150 campers each day.
- Monitored budget and expenditures, keeping facility within budget.
- Inspected equipment and facilities for signs of wear or damage impacting safety.
- Trained and supervised staff to consistently meet performance goals and customer service standards.
- Assigned work to staff, set schedules, and motivated strong performance in key areas.
Outdoor Skills Facilitator
Girl Scouts Coastal Pines
10.2008 - Current
- Taught new team members correct procedures for all areas of operations.
- Set positive example for team members by providing high-quality, efficient service.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Maintained current knowledge of all team position requirements.
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
- Trained and mentored over 260 new leaders to be able to take their girl scout troops camping safely.
- Appropriately allocated resourced, budgets, inventories, training support and team building materials to increase overall productivity.
Volleyball Coach
Durham Public Schools
08.2001 - 12.2017
- Implemented exercise programs and training strategies to bolster individual and team performance.
- Prepared athletes for special competitions and tournaments.
- Stretched, warmed up and completed conditioning exercises properly to reduce injuries.
- Held special events to promote camaraderie among teammates, families and community members.
- Worked individually with players when struggling to enhancer confidence and strengthen court skills.
- Motivated athletes to become stronger, more agile and more effective through training habits and proper nutrition.
- Demonstrated proper technique for spiking and serving ball at observance of team players.
- Maintained equipment, facilities and inventory to avoid accidents, mishaps and damage.
- Coordinated with parents, boosters and other resources to meet team needs involving equipment and travel arrangements.
- Educated individuals on proper eating and sleep habits, which would prove helpful during stressful times like competitions.
- Developed game plans and adjusted to meet various game situations.
- Established clear benchmarks for performance and monitored individual and team progress.
- Coordinated special events such as pre-season tryouts, training camps and special workshops to support team goals.
- Out of 16 year we were in 15 championship games, 2nd place- 6 times and 9 Championship wins.
- Our ability to win was due to teaching the girls how to work as a team (family) and to trust each other- this can also be used in the corporate world.
Assistant Store Manager
Afterthoughts
09.1995 - 01.1998
- Maintained positive customer relationships by responding quickly to customer service inquiries.
- Managed opening and closing procedures and recommended changes to enhance efficiency of daily activities.
- Responded to customer concerns, working with manager to significantly raise customer satisfaction ratings.
- Supervised and evaluated staff, enabling them to improve skills, achieve daily objectives and attain advancement.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Interviewed, hired and trained staff associates and equipped to comply with company policies and procedures.
- Provided weekly work schedules to employees to accommodate business demands and vacation requests.
- Processed payments for credit and debit cards and returned proper change for cash transactions.
- Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
- Verified inventory counts remained within monthly tolerance levels and compiled financial data in compliance with budget.
- Walked through store areas every 2 hours to identify and proactively resolve issues negatively impacting operations.
- Reviewed sales and gross profit reports to determine options for increasing market growth.
Department Manager
Kmart
05.1993 - 09.1995
- Managed inventory and receiving operations to maintain optimal stock levels and meet expected demands.
- Worked actively with management team to create daily and weekly sales plans based on weekly sales trends.
- Communicated with managers of other departments to maintain transparency.
- Motivated associates to consistently deliver effective selling behaviors through coaching and recognition.
- Partnered with merchandising team to plan and execute floor moves, merchandise placement and overall sales set-up.
- Prepared detailed reports for management to clarify existing trends, review sales and inventory data and support shrink minimization and safety awareness.
Education
AS For Educational Interpreter - Educational Interpreter
Daytona Beach Community College
Daytona Beach, FL06.1998
Skills
- Study Sessions
- Consecutive Translation
- Faculty Communication
- Instructional Techniques
- Educational Support
- Active Listening
- Time Management
- Project Management
- Customer Relations
- Staff Supervision
- Product Restocking
- Employee Scheduling
- Team Contribution
- Staff Management
- Lead Generation
- Team Leadership
Girl Scout Leader and trainer for outdoor skills
I have ran 2 girl scout troops since 2009. I am certified in first aid/CPR/AED, Outdoors training leader, Event director and Camp Director.
Unique skills I have from this is:
- Organizing and planning events where multiple grade levels and adults will attend
- My day camp that I started in 2013, has been girl led- meaning girls ages 13- 18 years old run Durham Day Camp which has over 105 girls. I have learned how to empower girls to find their leadership/ownership so that they can lead girls through a week of camp while having fun and being safe in NC heat.
- As an outdoor skills facilitator- I work with adults and help guide them through the girl scout way of taking girls as young as kindergartners camping! I have to make sure that our time is adhered to so that we can teach everything needed. I believe in affirmation and how it can make others feel.
Timeline
Receiving Supervisor
Burlington Coat Factory Department Store
05.2023 - Current
Closing Team Lead
Burlington Coat Factory Department Store
01.2023 - Current
Day Camp Director
Coastal Pines Girl Scouts
01.2013 - Current
Outdoor Skills Facilitator
Girl Scouts Coastal Pines
10.2008 - Current
Volleyball Coach
Durham Public Schools
08.2001 - 12.2017
Educational ASL Interpreter
Durham Public Schools
01.2001 - 05.2023
Assistant Store Manager
Afterthoughts
09.1995 - 01.1998
Department Manager
Kmart
05.1993 - 09.1995
AS For Educational Interpreter - Educational Interpreter
Daytona Beach Community College