Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Eric Ray

Acworth,GA

Summary

Highly dedicated leader with a long history of success in business management, operational excellence, people management, and analytical problem solving. Exceptional at optimizing resources to achieve challenging targets. Extremely passionate about culture, team development, and helping people grow to their full potential. Very excited to take on new challenges and continue growing professionally while bringing value to the organization.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Manager

Papa John's Pizza
06.2022 - Current
  • Increased store profitability by implementing cost-saving measures and efficient inventory management strategies.
  • Improved customer satisfaction through staff training in customer service and product knowledge.
  • Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
  • Mentored new hires during their onboarding process, ensuring they were well-equipped to excel in their roles from day one.
  • Optimized labor scheduling according to store needs while adhering to budget constraints, maximizing productivity without compromising service quality.

Founder

Alternative Styles Clothing
07.2021 - Current
  • Established a successful business by identifying market needs and developing innovative solutions.
  • Developed strong partnerships with key industry players, contributing to an increased market presence.
  • Utilized strong negotiation skills to achieve optimal pricing on inventory from both domestic and international suppliers.
  • Monitored market trends to and buyer engagement with the latest styles and brands.
  • Delivered exceptional customer service by addressing client concerns promptly and effectively resolving issues.
  • Created appealing social content to market products to drive sales growth.
  • Ranked in the top 10% of sellers through PoshMark with 97,000 followers and a 4.9 out of 5 star rating,

Director of Operations

Papa John's Pizza
12.2020 - 06.2022
  • Led the joint venture partnership between Papa John's Pizza and Shaquille O'Neal.
  • Managed sales of $17+ million annually, with a year over year sales growth of $1.7 million and year ending profit of $1.8 million.
  • Implemented data-driven decision-making processes in streamlining processes to improve operational efficiency and achieve targets.
  • Responsible for cross functional collaboration in multiple segments of the business including project management, marketing, pricing analysis, and menu mix formation.
  • Collaborated with senior management to develop and execute long-term corporate goals and objectives.
  • Contributed to talent acquisition efforts by participating in recruitment activities, identifying top candidates and facilitating smooth onboarding processes.
  • Enhanced employee engagement by developing training programs, fostering a collaborative culture, and promoting professional development opportunities.
  • Conducted regular performance reviews to assess team progress, providing constructive feedback and guidance for continuous improvement.
  • Extremely successful in developing a positive market wide culture that attracted top talent in the region.
  • Developed strong relationships with numerous nonprofit organizations including Hosea Helps and Boy's and Girl's Club of Atlanta.
  • Responsible for leading the Papa John's field level operations teams for national commercials as well as social media advertising campaigns.

Director of Operations

Papa John's Pizza
06.2017 - 12.2020
  • Oversaw a wide spanning region that required weekly overnight travel.
  • Grew per-unit revenue average from $26,000 per week to $37,000 per week which set a company record for weekly sales average.
  • Championed quality assurance efforts by establishing rigorous standards and monitoring adherence to maintain high levels of service delivery.
  • Drove revenue growth through the identification of new market opportunities and the expansion of existing products/services offerings.
  • Identified opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement, implementing changes that resulted in significant savings.
  • Managed budgets and resources, optimizing allocation for maximum impact on business objectives.
  • Mitigated risks by developing comprehensive contingency plans that ensured business continuity during unforeseen events or challenges.
  • Promoted a culture of safety within the organization by enforcing compliance with established regulations, policies, procedures, as well as conducting regular audits.
  • Delivered exceptional customer experiences by implementing strategies focused on meeting evolving needs and expectations.
  • Mentored and coached team members to foster productive and engaging work environment.
  • Directed market wide meetings to enhance collaboration and build a positive team culture based on trust and collaborative alliances.

General Manager

Papa John's Pizza
01.2012 - 06.2017
  • Successfully managed multiple locations throughout the Atlanta market.
  • Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
  • Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to create competitive advantages.
  • Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
  • Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
  • Implemented robust inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and minimize waste/costs associated with excess product storage.
  • Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
  • Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
  • Recipient of the national Papa John's Pinnacle Award, as well as numerous local and regional awards.
  • Developed a new training manual for employees in the manager training program. The manual was adopted market wide due to the positive impact it had on the success of manager trainees.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management

Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
05.2023

Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • Operational Efficiency
  • Business Management
  • KPI Tracking
  • Employee Development
  • Adaptability
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Business Development
  • P&L Management
  • Business Leadership
  • Time Management

Timeline

Manager

Papa John's Pizza
06.2022 - Current

Founder

Alternative Styles Clothing
07.2021 - Current

Director of Operations

Papa John's Pizza
12.2020 - 06.2022

Director of Operations

Papa John's Pizza
06.2017 - 12.2020

General Manager

Papa John's Pizza
01.2012 - 06.2017

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management

Purdue University
Eric Ray