JAMES PICKHARDT
South Bend,IN
Summary
I am a professional leader prepared for his role, whatever that needs to be, with focus on professionalism and customer satisfaction. I have a proven ability to drive team performance and adapt to changing demands, ensuring consistent and reliable results. I inherently have expertise in conflict resolution and team collaboration.
I am a diligent and expert driver with an ironclad track record in efficient and safe transportation of passengers with rideshare, and purchased goods with delivery. The word, competent; does not begin to describe my talents behind a steering-wheel.
I have a birth-given talent for writing, art and imaginative creativity . I am well-versed in high grammar and composition; I have a superior knack for written communication, visual design, video and audio editing, and innovatively simplifying complicated concepts into something tangibly intriguing.
I have worn more than a few different hats in my employment history, and they each fit perfectly. I can wear many others as well, and they to, will fit perfectly, because I am highly versatile and adaptable. As a company asset, excellence expected of me, is excellence inherently given without falter.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager
Kroc Center Salvation Army
07.2025 - Current
- Lead operational strategies to enhance program delivery and community engagement.
- Mentor team members, fostering professional growth and enhancing team dynamics.
- Evaluate program outcomes, driving strategic adjustments for improved impact on community needs.
- Manage and motivate employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Accomplish multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Maintain professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Enhance customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolve staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Cross-train existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Evaluate employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Maintain professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Handle closing procedures, single-handedly; including securing all doors to the building, arming the building, logging an end of the day report, and depositing all money into safe.
Greenhouse Assistant
Martins Greenhouse and Nursery
04.2025 - 05.2025
- Managed inventory of supplies such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and potting materials to ensure adequate stock for ongoing operations.
- Coordinated closely with other team members to complete projects efficiently while maintaining high-quality standards throughout all aspects of greenhouse operations.
- Contributed to sales efforts by assisting customers with plant selection based on their specific needs and preferences.
- Assisted with seasonal preparations including cleaning greenhouses, preparing beds, installing shade cloth, and setting up heating systems for cold-weather crops.
- Unloaded plants and nursery items from delivery trucks.
- Answered questions and provided information regarding plants and care to help customers make informed decisions.
Lyft Driver
Lyft
05.2018 - 02.2025
- Followed all relevant traffic laws and safety regulations.
- Achieved safe driving records by consistently following traffic rules and regulations.
- Developed strong relationships with clients, fostering trust through professionalism and reliability in transportation services provided.
- Utilized GPS and other navigation tools to plan routes and stay on schedule.
- Provided exceptional customer service, addressing concerns and resolving issues promptly.
- Upheld high standards of cleanliness within the vehicle's interior/exterior appearance, providing a professional image for the company at all times.
- Communicated with passengers to provide information and assistance for excellent customer service and positive experiences.
- Demonstrated strong knowledge of geography and local roads for optimal route selection.
- Coordinated efficient routes to avoid delays and optimize schedules.
Uber Partner
Uber
01.2015 - 02.2025
- Used GPS to determine fastest route to destinations in order to save riders money and maximize availability.
- Accepted and processed fares.
- Cleaned and sanitized rideshare vehicle to avoid germ and infection spread.
- Enhanced passenger experience by keeping a clean and comfortable vehicle environment.
- Maintained a high driver rating through excellent communication and navigational skills.
- Assisted passengers with special needs or requirements, ensuring their comfort throughout the ride.
- Managed challenging situations calmly, addressing any conflicts or issues that arose during rides.
- Developed strong time-management skills to ensure punctual pick-ups and drop-offs for passengers.
- Displayed adaptability in navigating various driving conditions and environments, ensuring passenger safety at all times.
Delivery Driver
Amazon
06.2024 - 10.2024
- Delivered packages to customer doorsteps and business offices.
- Enhanced delivery efficiency by optimizing routes using GPS navigation and mapping tools.
- Maintained upbeat, positive attitude in busy, customer-focused environment.
- Demonstrated exceptional time management skills in consistently meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality or safety.
- Ensured the safety of all goods transported by securing loads properly and following best practices for handling fragile items.
- Verified accuracy of all deliveries against order forms.
- Completed rush deliveries on tight timetables to satisfy customer needs.
- Loaded truck and properly secured items to prevent damage for deliveries.
- Operated vehicle safely in highly congested areas with no traffic violations.
- Read maps, followed oral, and written instructions and used GPS technology to make deliveries.
- Developed strong working knowledge of local traffic laws and regulations to facilitate smooth navigation on-the-job safely.
- Inspected and maintained delivery vehicles regularly to keep in safe working order.
Expo Runner
Howard Park Public House
02.2024 - 06.2024
- Achieved a fast-paced work environment through focus on speed and accuracy while assembling dishes according to chef's specifications.
- Assisted chefs with plating dishes, ensuring a visually appealing presentation for guests.
- Delivered food orders from kitchen to customers' tables.
- Provided support to multiple stations within the kitchen when needed, demonstrating flexibility and teamwork among colleagues.
- Assisted with inventory management by keeping track of supplies and notifying management when restocking was necessary.
- Adhered to strict hygiene standards, minimizing potential contamination risks for guests.
- Handled high-pressure situations gracefully under stress, ensuring all orders were completed accurately and efficiently.
- Maintained clear communication channels with kitchen staff to address any issues or discrepancies in orders promptly.
- Collaborated with servers to ensure timely delivery of orders, reducing wait times for customers.
- Served food at proper temperature to meet safety standards.
- Mastered knowledge of menu offerings, providing accurate information to servers as needed.
Dishwasher
Lasalle Kitchen and Tavern
11.2022 - 05.2023
- Followed supervisor instructions to complete tasks on time.
- Kept kitchen areas neat and clean by removing trash and organizing supplies.
- Assisted with kitchen prep work to help operations run smoothly and meet customer needs.
- Cleared, washed and stacked all plates, dining utensils, and trays quickly and without breaking.
- Washed equipment, surfaces, refrigerators, and other areas and applied sanitizing chemicals.
- Completed extra cleaning work on garbage cans, racks, dry storage areas, and other fixtures to keep kitchen spotless.
- Worked with chemicals such as detergent, rinse agents, and sanitizers to protect customer health.
Delivery Driver
FedEx
05.2021 - 10.2021
- Delivered packages to customer doorsteps and business offices.
- Enhanced delivery efficiency by optimizing routes using GPS navigation and mapping tools.
- Maintained upbeat, positive attitude in busy, customer-focused environment.
- Demonstrated exceptional time management skills in consistently meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality or safety.
- Ensured the safety of all goods transported by securing loads properly and following best practices for handling fragile items.
- Verified accuracy of all deliveries against order forms.
- Operated vehicle safely in highly congested areas with no traffic violations.
- Assisted with loading and unloading of goods to prevent delays and ensure timely deliveries.
Bartender
Evil Czech Brewery and Public House
02.2019 - 11.2019
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Reduced wait times for drinks by efficiently managing the bar area and prioritizing orders.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and crafting high-quality cocktails.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
Head Barback
Four Winds Casino
07.2017 - 05.2018
- Assisted in the setup and breakdown of special events, ensuring a smooth and successful experience for all attendees.
- Participated in staff meetings, offering valuable insight on areas of improvement within the team dynamic.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently stocking and maintaining bar inventory.
- Effectively communicated with bartenders and management to address any issues or concerns promptly, fostering an environment of teamwork and cooperation.
- Supported bartenders during high-volume shifts, enabling them to serve more customers promptly.
- Contributed to increased sales by suggesting upselling opportunities to bartenders based on customer selections.
- Demonstrated excellent multitasking abilities, balancing multiple responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced setting.
- Replaced empty kegs and soda syrups.
- Learned how to make wide variety of mixed drinks.
Barback
O'Rourkes Public House
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Restocked ice, condiments, and snacks.
- Replaced empty kegs and soda syrups.
- Restocked glassware, cleaned tables and organized supplies to meet demanding trading periods throughout shift.
- Learned how to make wide variety of mixed drinks.
- Kept close eye on customers to quickly spot leaving guests and clear tables for future patrons.
- Collected trash, wiped up spills, and removed trays to maintain fresh and clean customer areas.
- Coordinated with servers and bartenders to maintain smooth operation of bar area.
- Maintained adequate levels of condiments and well-stocked drink stations to keep service flowing smoothly.
- Greeted customers and provided friendly, knowledgeable service.
Front Desk Receptionist
Charter Fitness
03.2013 - 08.2016
- Greeted guests at front desk and engaged in pleasant conversations while managing check-in process.
- Delivered outstanding first impressions by warmly greeting visitors upon arrival at the front desk.
- Completed data entry and filing to keep records updated for easy retrieval.
- Completed all tasks in compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Increased customer satisfaction by promptly addressing and resolving inquiries and concerns.
- Enhanced guest experience by maintaining welcoming and organized reception area.
- Performing janitorial duties, such as cleaning machinery and bathrooms.
Cook
Culver's Restaurant
06.2011 - 11.2013
- Took food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete order items together and serve hot.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
Indiana University of South Bend
South Bend, IN05-2013
High School Diploma -
La Lumiere School
La Porte, IN05-2011
Skills
- Time management
- Customer service
- Decision-making
- Complex Problem-solving
- Documentation and reporting
- Conflict resolution
- Emergency response
- Valid Driver's license
- Clean driving record
- Punctual and reliable
- City and non-city driving
- Driving in adverse conditions
- Listening skills
- Work prioritization
Interests
I love to draw, paint, design, drive for fun, sing, video edit, audio edit, write stories and poetry, and occasionally do stand-up comedy
Timeline
Manager
Kroc Center Salvation Army
07.2025 - Current
Greenhouse Assistant
Martins Greenhouse and Nursery
04.2025 - 05.2025
Delivery Driver
Amazon
06.2024 - 10.2024
Expo Runner
Howard Park Public House
02.2024 - 06.2024
Dishwasher
Lasalle Kitchen and Tavern
11.2022 - 05.2023
Delivery Driver
FedEx
05.2021 - 10.2021
Bartender
Evil Czech Brewery and Public House
02.2019 - 11.2019
Lyft Driver
Lyft
05.2018 - 02.2025
Head Barback
Four Winds Casino
07.2017 - 05.2018
Barback
O'Rourkes Public House
08.2016 - 07.2017
Uber Partner
Uber
01.2015 - 02.2025
Front Desk Receptionist
Charter Fitness
03.2013 - 08.2016
Cook
Culver's Restaurant
06.2011 - 11.2013
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
Indiana University of South Bend
High School Diploma -
La Lumiere School