Heather Watson
Hastings,MI
Summary
Knowledgeable Auction Manager with 5+ years of experience working in large auction houses with specialization in Antiques & CNC Metalworking Machinery, Tooling, CNC Components and Industrial Equipment. Meticulous attention to detail and strong understanding of business and market.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Auction Coordinator
BTM Industrial Auctions & Liquidations
Grand Rapids, Michigan
06.2019 - Current
- Maintained contracts outlining terms of consigner agreement and kept comprehensive files on each consignor's merchandise to facilitate Consigner's Finalization post auction.
- Assisted in hiring, placement and training for Coordinator Assistants.
- Confirmed merchandise was properly listed, detailed photos were attached to listings and communicated effectively with Consignors.
- Provided potential buyers with comprehensive information on auction items, Lot locations, Terms & Conditions, Shipping & Handling options, Rigger Information, Removal Process, etc.
- Coordinated packaging, shipping and transportation of sold merchandise with proper Colleagues.
- Worked independently with minimal supervision.
- Served customers with knowledgeable, friendly support at every stage of shopping and purchasing.
- Built relationships with customers and consigners to promote long term business growth.
- Gained customer trust and confidence by demonstrating compelling, persuasive and composed professional demeanor.
- Contributed to team objectives in fast-paced environment.
- Prioritized tasks and projects to meet tight deadlines.
- Performed effectively in self-directed work environment, managing day-to-day operations and decisions and delegating tasks to assistant.
- Fostered lasting relationships with customers through effective communication and quick response, resulting in long-term loyalty and expanded client base.
- Exceptional computer skills
- Fielded customer complaints and facilitated negotiations, resolving issues and reaching mutual conclusions.
- Acquired and applied Industrial Equipment knowledge to create effective dialogue with customers.
Casino Table Games Dealer
Gun Lake Casino
Wayland, MI
01.2017 - 05.2019
- Maintained fast, smooth game pace by efficiently handling chips, money and cards.
- Stood behind Black Jack, Roulette and a variety of other gaming tables to deal appropriate number of cards to each player and verify placed bets before starting game.
- Monitored players during each hand to identify possible cheating or other unscrupulous behavior.
- Created enjoyable atmosphere for players by engaging patrons in positive and entertaining conversation.
- Promoted customer retention and satisfaction by greeting guests and encouraging fun gameplay environment.
- Collected bets from game losers and paid out winnings to game winners, keeping each hand running smoothly and efficiently.
- Assessed and calculated multiple players' cards against table competitors and house hands to determine round or game results, winners, correct wagers and rotation of play.
- Welcomed customers and established immediate rapport to encourage gameplay.
- Prepared players to join games by explaining rules and exchanging money for chips.
- Trained new dealers in rules and operation of different games.
- Controlled equipment such as roulette wheels to run games.
- Dealt cards and compared hands to determine winners of games such as blackjack.
- Accepted nomination from upper management to complete Job Coach program to assist new dealers on their first few nights of working on live games.
- Nominated by team members for Dealer of the Month.
- Chosen by upper management as 1 of 7, out of 110 dealers to open our High Limit room.
- Took lead role in 2 separate committees developed to assist new dealers in learning new table games and to give new dealers someone to bounce concerns, issues, advice, etc rather than going straight to management.
Owner/Operator Manager
Thornapple Valley Auctions & Antique Store
Hastings, MI
02.2015 - 12.2016
- Started online auction platform for consigners to sell their surplus antique and vintage merchandise.
- Used advertising through different social media platforms and word of mouth to build bidder database from 1 to 672 bidders within 5 months of beginning business.
- Occupied large building for auction merchandise storage, cleaning, creating inventory sheets, picturing and listing of consigner merchandise.
- Rented additional space to vendors to display and sell their merchandise within their delegated space.
- Built vendor booth spaces for total of 26 rented spaces within first 6 months of business.
- Kept detailed records of each vendor's sales and supplied them with monthly sales finalization and check after deducting monthly rent.
- Provided outstanding customer service to online bidders and customers who shopped vendor's booths by building relationships and finding out their likes and tastes to inform them of upcoming sales that would cater to their wants and needs.
- Coordinated bi-weekly online auctions that consisted of picturing, adding detailed listings, fielding questions from potential bidders, providing access for in person inspections, assisting bidders with technical support, finalizing sales by packaging items and collecting funds from buyers and paying out monies owed to consigners, etc.
- Provided eBay services for high dollar items.
- Utilized unused spaces building had to offer to provide storage units for rent, coordinated small animal auctions to be held on property, hosted outdoor flea markets and offered space for vendors to display their merchandise, and sold produce, eggs, straw, firewood, hanging flower baskets and more from local farmers.
School Bus Driver
Hastings Area School System
Hastings, MI
03.1999 - 06.2015
- Maintained MI driver's license to enable legal operation of school buses for student transport, field trips and other purposes.
- Adhered to scheduled routes and accomplished timely drop-offs and pick-ups to comply with preset route criteria.
- Transported passengers safely along prescribed routes according to tight schedules.
- Inspected emergency equipment and verified safe working order for student and driver use.
- Communicated directly with students and parents to offer solutions for any issues that arose.
Education
Diploma - Cosmetology
Chic University of Cosmetology
Grand Rapids, MI01.1991
High School Diploma -
Hastings High School
Hastings, MI06.1989
Skills
- Customer Experience
- Building Relationships
- Client Needs Assessment
- Customer Relations
- Online Auctions
- Operational Processes
- Cash Control
Certification
- Licensed - Commercial CDL B Driver's License. Endorsements PS and Air Brakes
Timeline
Auction Coordinator
BTM Industrial Auctions & Liquidations
06.2019 - Current
Casino Table Games Dealer
Gun Lake Casino
01.2017 - 05.2019
Owner/Operator Manager
Thornapple Valley Auctions & Antique Store
02.2015 - 12.2016
School Bus Driver
Hastings Area School System
03.1999 - 06.2015
Diploma - Cosmetology
Chic University of Cosmetology
High School Diploma -
Hastings High School