Jamie L Russo
Helena,MT
Summary
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
County Executive Director Trainee
Farm Service Agency, USDA
Helena, MT
01.2022 - Current
- Learned new materials, processes and programs quickly.
- Increased training efficiency by working closely with supervisor and coworkers, asking questions, and giving honest, detailed feedback.
- Communicated Farm Service Agency program information and guidance to producers and coworkers
- Gained understanding of Public Outreach procedures through researching relevant handbooks and working on materials, such as GovDelivery articles relating to Acreage Reporting deadlines, Tree Assistance Program (TAP), and hiring advertisements.
- Acquired knowledge of local agricultural production methods and techniques most commonly used in Montanan ranching and crop production.
- Identified, through conversations with producers, their agricultural, economic, and social needs.
- Discussed with producers their daily challenges and problems and successfully guided them to available programs and services to overcome obstacles and meet their needs.
Produce Manager
MOM's Organic Market
Biltmore , MD
10.2017 - Current
- Hrs/week 40-60
- Salary: $55,000/yr
- Managed staff of 15-20 employees in department duties; successfully trained 3 managers-in-training who were all promoted to department managers at other store locations
- Expertly supervised and assisted in departmental morning setup, which included properly rotating and merchandising produce displays
- Trained team members and new hires on department procedures through clear communication, hands on training, ensuring staff watch required materials, and creating checklists tailored to department needs.
- Responsible for buying products from local agriculture producers, included Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op and Crooked Fence Farm, by creating orders on a day-to-day basis, considering current back stock inventory, projected daily sales, distributor availability, and customer expectations
- Efficiently and safely broke down freight and ensured the cold chain remained intact, product was rotated properly, and that all items were received
- Performed daily paperwork such as receiving and committing invoices, inputting credits, and communicating irregularities or mistakes
- Increased profits by reducing waste, controlling shrinkage and increasing team efficiency with optimized workflows, showing an increase of overall sales by 15% and reducing department waste from an average of 3.5% to of 1.5% each quarter
- Kept department equipment in working order and advised general manager of equipment repair or replacement needs.
- Established performance-oriented environment by closely supporting all team members.
- Enhanced interpersonal communication between patrons and team members to cultivate upbeat, team-oriented culture by identifying areas in need of improvement and through team-building activities
- Assessed supplier quality to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational performance.
Office Manager
Palm Beach Customs, LLC
Ocala , Florida
05.2013 - 09.2017
- Hrs/week Salary: $45,000/yr
- Developed and maintained business website, social media presence, and blog.
- Ensured proper book keeping and kept up with accounts due/payable.
- Assisted with automotive repairs and daily shop chores such as cleaning and disposing of hazardous waste in accordance to local laws.
- Managed budgets, appointment scheduling, employee and event itineraries and accounts to improve productivity initiatives.
- Maintained computer and physical filing systems.
- Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/AR, deposits and recordkeeping.
- Compared vendor prices and negotiated for optimal savings.
- Coordinated special projects and managed schedules.
Farm Apprentice
Worden Farm
Punta Gorda, FL
10.2013 - 05.2014
- Hrs/week Salary: $22,000/yr
- Acquired knowledge and skills necessary to complete farm tasks and duties independently on a day-to-day basis.
- Learned practical knowledge of growing organically and integrated pest management.
- Ensured proper field seeding of crops, kept seeding records, and maintained seeding tractors and equipment.
- Became proficient in knowledge of organic agricultural production methods and comfortable with farming techniques, such as tilling and organic pesticide use.
- Gained experience applying soil conservation methods, such as, planting cover crops, field rotation, and best soil practices.
- Acted as head cashier during farmer market hours which included ensuring produce quality, supervising breaks, shift duties, end of market clean-up, and handling of cash.
- Safely operated farm equipment such as tractors, refrigerated trucks, produce unpacking and packing machinery, and hand-seeders.
- Developed tolerance to work in extremes of weather ranging from 103 degree Fahrenheit days to drenching thundershowers, high winds, and freezing temperatures.
- Irrigated farm soil and performed repairs and routine maintenance on pipes and pumps.
- Harvested and inspected organic vegetable and produce crops.
Education
Master of Science - Environmental Studies, Sustainable Food & Agriculture
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT12.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology And Gender & Women's Studies
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 05.2013
Skills
- Written and oral communication
- Adaptability
- Conflict resolution
- Customer Service
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Staff Management
Timeline
County Executive Director Trainee
Farm Service Agency, USDA
01.2022 - Current
Produce Manager
MOM's Organic Market
10.2017 - Current
Farm Apprentice
Worden Farm
10.2013 - 05.2014
Office Manager
Palm Beach Customs, LLC
05.2013 - 09.2017
Master of Science - Environmental Studies, Sustainable Food & Agriculture
The University of Montana
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology And Gender & Women's Studies
University of Rhode Island
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