James Coward
Chesterfield,VA
Summary
Service-oriented Manager focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences to drive consistent revenue growth. Coordinates resources to meet expected business and customer demands. Sales expert, organized decision-maker and strategic planner with top-notch interpersonal and communication skills.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner/Operator
Holy Ground Landscaping
Chesterfield, VA
03.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with clients to design customized garden layouts and plant selections.
- Installed irrigation systems to ensure optimal water distribution across landscapes.
- Ensured compliance with environmental regulations during landscaping projects.
- Trained junior staff on proper landscaping techniques and equipment use.
- Developed seasonal maintenance plans for ongoing landscape care and improvement.
- Cut and trimmed lawns using power mowers and edgers.
- Maintained and operated lawn care equipment such as mowers, trimmers, edgers, blowers, and hedge clippers.
- Cleaned up debris after completing jobsite tasks.
- Cleared pathways of overgrowth, debris, and snow to reduce hazards.
- Operated machinery such as bobcats or tractors when necessary.
Manager
Panera Bread
Glen Allen, VA
11.2022 - 03.2023
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Created monthly reports for senior management summarizing operational performance metrics.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss progress and identify areas of improvement.
- Established processes to ensure efficient workflow throughout the organization.
- Monitored budgets and expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality standards.
- Resolved conflicts between employees by providing guidance on company policies and procedures.
- Maintained up-to-date records of employee attendance, payroll information, vacation requests.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to develop action plans for improving services offered.
- Managed vendor relationships by negotiating contracts and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services.
General Manager
Tropical Smoothie
Chester, VA
09.2020 - 11.2022
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through hands-on leadership of associates and managers.
- Built and maintained loyal, long-term customer relationships through effective account management.
- Designed sales and service strategies to improve revenue and retention.
- Managed inventory levels and conducted corrective action planning to minimize long-term costs.
- Complied with company policies and government regulations to prevent and detect rule violations and protect organization from fines and lawsuits.
- Trained employees on duties, policies and procedures.
- Created schedules and monitored payroll to remain within budget.
- Conducted employee evaluations to provide adequate feedback and recognize quality performance.
- Taught alertness and security tactics to reduce theft and losses.
- Administered employee discipline through verbal and written warnings.
- Led employee evaluations with constructive feedback to boost performance.
- Recruited, trained and empowered employees to achieve key performance indicators.
- Supervised employees through planning, assignments and direction.
- Guided management and supervisory staff to promote smooth operations.
- Enhanced operational performance by developing effective business strategies, systems and procedures.
- Directed safety operations and maintained clean work environment to adhere to FDA and OSHA requirements.
- Maximized time and employee productivity, consolidating data, payroll and accounting programs into centralized systems.
- Tracked monthly sales to generate reports for business development planning.
- Controlled regulatory risks by overseeing corporate compliance visits and adhering to protocol.
Owner/Operator
Sampson and Son Demolition
Midlothian, VA
10.2012 - 05.2022
- Promoted business on social media platforms to maximize brand identity and generate revenue.
- Oversaw staff hiring, initiating new training and scheduled processes to streamline operations.
- Devised business and marketing plans and prepared monthly financial reports.
- Set pricing structures according to market analytics and emerging trends.
- Executed performance reviews to encourage improved productivity for team members.
- Employed and managed vendors by negotiating deliverables, cost and expected quality.
- Led startup and creation of operational procedures and workflow planning.
- Oversaw project execution, phase progress, workmanship and team performance to drive on-time completion of deliverables.
- Prepared weekly schedules to verify proper floor coverage within fiscal guidelines.
- Analyzed client business needs and assisted in determining appropriate resources and strategies.
Inbound Stower
Amazon
Dinwiddie, VA
05.2020 - 09.2021
- Used handheld scanner to sort products onto appropriate shelves daily.
- Continuously pulled items weighing up to 100 pounds off carts and placed on correct shelves.
- Arranged incoming and outgoing shipments according to dates and weights.
- Prepared boxes, invoices and inserters for order fulfillment lines.
- Moved stock and other materials to and from storage and production areas and loading docks.
- Received products using radio frequency scanners and relocated products with powered-equipment.
- Redirected shipments en route in response to customer requests.
- Assisted in loading delivery trucks to facilitate timely dispatch for deliveries.
- Sealed boxes and cases with filling and taping equipment.
- Contacted carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
- Operated lift and hand trucks to transfer materials to and from target areas.
Store Manager
Wireless Retail Inc
Virginia Beach, VA
01.2009 - 04.2012
- Delivered excellent customer service and adhered to standard practices to maximize sales and minimize shrinkage.
- Processed daily paperwork, balanced register drawers, produced staffing schedules and prepared deposits.
- Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss.
- Balanced sales, reconciled cash and made bank deposits to facilitate opening and closing duties.
- Generated repeat business by responding to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service.
- Strengthened work flow productivity by hiring, managing and developing top talent.
- Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Exceeded team goals and resolved issues by sharing and implementing customer service initiatives.
- Answered product questions with up-to-date knowledge of sales and promotions.
Store Manager
Jersey Mike's Subs
Bon Air, VA
06.2004 - 09.2009
- Delivered excellent customer service and adhered to standard practices to maximize sales and minimize shrinkage.
- Processed daily paperwork, balanced register drawers, produced staffing schedules and prepared deposits.
- Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss.
- Balanced sales, reconciled cash and made bank deposits to facilitate opening and closing duties.
- Generated repeat business by responding to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service.
- Strengthened work flow productivity by hiring, managing and developing top talent.
- Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
Manager
Stuffy's Subs
Midlothian, VA
01.1997 - 07.2007
- Trained employees on additional job positions to maintain coverage of roles.
- Assigned tasks to associates to fit skill levels and maximize team performance.
- Recruited and hired qualified candidates to fill open positions.
- Accomplished financial objectives by forecasting requirements, scheduling expenditures and preparing annual budgets.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Exercised good judgment and decision-making in escalating concerns and resolving issues.
Education
High School Diploma -
James River High School
Midlothian, VA06.1997
Skills
- Cross-Functional Team Management
- Supervision and Training
- Policy/Program Development
- Sales Team Development
- Records Organization and Management
- Problem Anticipation and Resolution
- Business Leadership
- Budget Control
- Goal Setting
- Employee Motivation
- Staff Scheduling
- Quality Assurance
- Customer Service Management
- Hiring and Onboarding
Timeline
Owner/Operator
Holy Ground Landscaping
03.2023 - Current
Manager
Panera Bread
11.2022 - 03.2023
General Manager
Tropical Smoothie
09.2020 - 11.2022
Inbound Stower
Amazon
05.2020 - 09.2021
Owner/Operator
Sampson and Son Demolition
10.2012 - 05.2022
Store Manager
Wireless Retail Inc
01.2009 - 04.2012
Store Manager
Jersey Mike's Subs
06.2004 - 09.2009
Manager
Stuffy's Subs
01.1997 - 07.2007
High School Diploma -
James River High School