Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Personal History
Timeline
GRANT LANE

GRANT LANE

Cookeville,TN

Summary

Resourceful Vice President with over 30 years of results-oriented experience in business intelligence and operations management. Culturally-sensitive and ethical professional with demonstrated success in developing and implementing optimized solutions. Versatile leader recognized for driving results in collaborative, inclusive manner. Multi-talented business leader bringing 30 years of experience as successful Manager. Strategic problem solver and change manager. Visionary executive implements plans that meet current and future needs. Key expertise in Vending/Coffee/retail sales industry.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

General Manager/Vice President

Five Star Food Service
08.2019 - 11.2021
  • Identified problems and implemented solutions to better streamline operations
  • Communicated regularly with executive team members to deliver pertinent details related to progress status and direction for projects
  • Delivered strategic input into business decisions and goals
  • Led team in strategic executive-level planning
  • Determined performance goals and offered tactics for achieving milestones
  • Networked with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and inform best practices
  • Made recommendations to senior leaders on business strategy and initiatives
  • Implemented and monitored internal control procedures
  • Provided valuable leadership for program team members and third-party consultants
  • Negotiated contract specifications with major vendors
  • Directed annual budgeting processes and verified alignment with company objectives
  • Identified and established KPIs to improve team efficiencies and sales strategies
  • Developed and analyzed cost vs
  • Revenue metrics to monitor staff performance
  • Answered questions from subordinate leadership on relevant regulations and policies
  • Assessed project resource requirements to support strategic execution
  • Created and integrated market plans to position company brands in target marketplace
  • Planned program details according to defined corporate strategy
  • Conducted independent analyses to resolve program deficiencies
  • Prepared business locations to meet timelines for internal and external audits

Operations Manager/Area Market Manager

Five Star Food Service
07.2016 - 08.2019
  • Identified problems and implemented solutions to better streamline operations
  • Determined performance goals and offered tactics for achieving milestones
  • Networked with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and inform best practices
  • Made recommendations to senior leaders on business strategy and initiatives
  • Implemented and monitored internal control procedures
  • Negotiated contract specifications with major vendors
  • Directed annual budgeting processes and verified alignment with company objectives
  • Identified and established KPIs to improve team efficiencies and sales strategies
  • Planned program details according to defined corporate strategy
  • Conducted independent analyses to resolve program deficiencies
  • Prepared business locations to meet timelines for internal and external audits

Owner/President

Canteen Select Services
12.1993 - 07.2014
  • Managed vendor relations and contracts through strategic partnerships which saved costs and delivered premium contract pricing
  • Negotiated with vendors to gain optimal pricing on products resulting in substantial increase in profit margin
  • Integrated customer-centric advertising workflow methodology toward ad delivery initiative and drove profitability through cost-reducing strategies
  • Coached team on company policies, procedures and best practices to enhance operational efficiency and employee productivity
  • Organized and maintained documents, files and records
  • Managed paper or electronic filing systems by recording information, updating paperwork and maintaining documents
  • Established work procedures or schedules to organize daily work of administrative staff
  • Worked with management team to improve workflows and eliminate unnecessary tasks
  • Liaised with customers, addressed inquiries, handled meeting requests and answered billing questions to provide outstanding customer care
  • Trained employees on best practices and protocols while managing teams to maintain optimal productivity
  • Determined staffing requirements, interviewing, hiring and training new employees
  • Pitched in to help with office tasks during busy periods and staff absences
  • Analyzed internal processes and recommended and implemented procedural policy changes to improve operations
  • Read through contracts, regulations and procedural guidelines to verify comprehension and compliance
  • Planned and controlled budgets for contracts, equipment and supplies
  • Negotiated and delivered contracts, rates and terms with current facilities and suppliers
  • Coordinated and conducted classes to teach procedures to new staff members
  • Represented work unit at meetings or conferences to serve as liaison for requests or complaints

Education

Some College (No Degree) - General Studies

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN

Skills

  • Market Trends and Analysis
  • Performance Monitoring
  • Industry Best Practices
  • Complex Problem-Solving

References

  • Buddy Duke, Regional Vice President, Five Star Food Service, 423-619-0706
  • Tammy Stokes, Regional Vice President, Five Star Food Services, 423-762-9741
  • Allen Recher, Former CEO, Five Star Food Service, 678-687-3897

Personal History

Entered this line of business by purchasing a Tom's Potato chip route in 1993, I grew it by 200% in the first year. That venture came with eleven vending customers, to grow that line of business was a far greater opportunity than the retail, that was where my focus resided. I started with one route and quickly built it to six routes with an annual sales of $2 million. I was approached in 2005 by a Canteen Food Service representative with the opportunity of becoming a franchise. Canteen is the largest vending and retail company in the food services. I agreed to the partnership and was awarded an eight-county radius in the Upper Cumberland area. My services were utilized by a very diverse customer base which included schools, hospitals along with the manufacturing industry. I was approached by Five Star Foods in 2010, they were inquiring on the possibility of purchasing the business I had established. I agreed at that point to the purchase. I then began my employment with Five Star in 2010 and lasted until 2021. My titles included Operations Manager, Fleet Manager, Area Market Manager. I was then promoted to General Manager/Vice President, of which I was then responsible for customers, employees, vehicles, and facilities. While I was General Manager of the Knoxville Branch, our annual sales were $30 million. I was responsible for 128 employees, that included direct as well as indirect. While managing through the Covid pandemic, I was forced to let go 60% of my workforce, I was still able to keep the branch profitable. When I accepted the Knoxville position it was understood that I would return to the Cookeville branch for the GM position at some point. The current GM stated he was going to retire, but after some thought he changed his mind and continued his employment there. After 2.5 years in Knoxville, I decided to resign and return home to Cookeville, as my daughters and family reside here. Along with my lifelong friends. I was offered a new position at Five Star that would require extensive travel including 5 days a week most of the time. I declined that offer based on the travel and the time it would again take away from my family. I have taken the last 16 months off to remodel a building, converting it to a barndominium. Although a lot of work, it gave me time to reflect on my past and future endeavors. I have decided to reenter the workforce, of which I can make a difference and contribute mightily because of my past experiences. Owning and operating a business for 17 years has given me the experience and confidence of becoming a very valuable asset again. With the diverse employment background I possess, I can hit the ground running, meaning I feel I can start making a difference on Day One. Thank you for taking the time to view my resume along with my personal experiences. I look forward to speaking with you. Thank you.

Timeline

General Manager/Vice President - Five Star Food Service
08.2019 - 11.2021
Operations Manager/Area Market Manager - Five Star Food Service
07.2016 - 08.2019
Owner/President - Canteen Select Services
12.1993 - 07.2014
Tennessee Technological University - Some College (No Degree), General Studies

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