JEFFREY R. VERLINDEN
De Tour Village,USA
Summary
Dynamic retail operations leader with a proven track record at Lume Cannabis Co., driving sales growth and enhancing customer experiences. Expert in budgeting and performance metrics, I excel in team building and compliance management, achieving a 100% pass rate on state inspections while fostering a culture of excellence and engagement.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Retail Operations
Lume Cannabis Co.
Troy, MI
08.2023 - 03.2025
- Managed the overall performance and operations for 38 dispensaries across Michigan with an annual gross sales of 198 Million dollars.
- Set sales goals and budgets for 38 stores
- Collaborated with the pricing, supply chain and marketing teams in order to meet goals.
- Set cost saving initiatives to help continue healthy growth while limiting waste that resulted in a stronger EBITDA for the company as a whole.
- Supervised the training, loss prevention, compliance and grassroots marketing departments to make sure they were on track to meet company goals.
- Led all hiring for salary members of retail leadership.
- Coordinated with the HR department to set a retail bonus structure that was both achievable/realistic while also incentivised strong attention to detail by all Store Managers and Field Leadership.
District Manager Manager
Lume Cannabis Co.
Troy, MI
12.2022 - 08.2023
- Managed the overall performance and operations of 10 dispensaries, with annual gross sales of over 65 million dollars.
- Continued growth with the company with a focus on sustainability and long term success.
- Identified continuous opportunities for improvement in retail operations including, SOP design and implementation, Individual and store KPIs that were measurable and local grassroots marketing opportunities to grow the overall business in local markets.
- Fostered an environment to support an overall positive customer experience in all stores, while also creating a world class sales organization.
Area Manager
Lume Cannabis Company
Troy, MI
11.2019 - 12.2022
- Managed the overall performance and operation of 3 stores, with annual gross sales in excess of 20 million dollars, and 1 processing facility. Helped to create an environment that fosters teamwork and success during rapid growth.
- Joined Lume during the start up phase and assisted in growth from 2 stores to 33 in less than 2 years.
- Opened one of the first stores on tribal land in Michigan, and fostered equitable relationships between the company and local tribes.
- Integral part of the successful launch of all stores in the Upper Peninsula including all state and local inspections.
- Organized and led all hiring events of both salaried and hourly positions for multiple new stores.
- Worked with HR and Local Management Teams to maintain a high retention rate and low turnover across all locations.
- 100% passing status of all state inspections at all locations in the area.
- Led cost saving initiatives across both the area and entire company to help maintain a healthy overall profit margin.
- Assisted in the design and implementation of SOPs for training, customer service, scheduling, loss prevention and cash management, inventory and supply chain, building maintenance, marketing and compliance.
- Maintained a 4.6 star google review throughout the entire area.
Sales Consultant/Service Tech Northern Territory
BBC Distributing
Grand Rapids, MI
03.2018 - 05.2019
- Responsible for maintaining current clients as well as identifying and closing new customers in the restaurant equipment and supply business.
- After having no sales rep in the area for over four months I was able to stabilize the territory and show steady growth in both gross sales and profit margin.
Manager
Hurricane Hole Fresh Seafood Grill
Key West, FL
12.2016 - 02.2018
- Managed the day to day operations of both the front and back of house for a high volume (over 5 million dollars gross) casual dining 350 plus seat restaurant and bar with both indoor and outdoor facilities. Including but not limited to P&L management, labor cost and scheduling, private event management and inventory cost and control.
- Supervised a staff of 30 to maintain the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
- Worked with the chef to design daily specials to help maximize sales and profits.
- Handled all customer issues in a professional and timely manner.
- Fostered an environment with 'the Customer comes first' attitude.
- Helped to maintain a 4 plus star rating online review status while remaining in the top 10% of recommended restaurants on Tripadvisor in a market with over 300 restaurants available.
General Manager
Sunset Watersports Inc.
Key West, FL
04.2009 - 12.2016
- Managed the day to day operations for a multi unit watersports company, over 40 boats, full service dinner cruise, four retail outlets and a full service Marina with over 75 employees. Including but not limited to P&L management, staff recruitment and training, labor costs and scheduling, inventory cost and control, private event management and guest overall satisfaction.
- Oversaw a rapid growth in gross sales from $1.5M to $7.5M.
- Supervised the opening of three retail outlets and Cow Key Marina, from build out to licensing and permitting.
- Expanded our Dinner Cruise from a 1 night/week trip to a seven night/week trip averaging over 100 passengers a night. Negotiated agreements with food and liquor venders to reduce operating costs. Maintained a 100% pass rating with health inspectors and 100% pass rating with the USCG small passenger vessel safety standards.
- Maintained and fostered new working relationships with over 100 hotels and guest houses, multiple booking websites and concierge booths/welcome centers throughout the Florida Keys.
- Assisted in the design and purchase of a new custom 149 passenger 65 foot Gold Coast Sailing Catamaran for use as a snorkel and sunset sail vessel.
- Negotiated exclusive contracts with Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
- Supervised and developed a staff of over 75 people to execute company goals, in both sales and maintenance.
- Restructured property and liability insurance coverage resulting in significantly increased coverage limits while holding premiums constant.
- Implemented a new reservation system and call center to better serve our customers and reach new sales goals.
- Made customer service a priority for all staff while maintaining over a 4 star rating for online reviews.
Boat Rental Manager
Sunset Watersports Inc.
Key West, FL
03.2006 - 04.2009
- Responsible for day to day operations of a boat rental location with 15 boats.
- Created a PMS program for our rental fleet to improve performance and revenue.
- Grew the overall business operation to become the number one boat rental company in Key West.
Sales Consultant
Art Van Furniture
Novi, MI
06.2005 - 03.2006
- Commissioned Salesman.
- Salesman of the month 3rd month on the floor.
- Maintained in the top ten of sales six out of nine months.
Boatswains Mate Third Class
United States Coast Guard
St Clair Shores, MI
07.2001 - 06.2005
- Expert in navigation, boat handling skills, and search and rescue.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Theater Arts
Columbia College
Chicago, ILSome College (No Degree) - Gender Studies
Macomb Community College
Warren, MISkills
- Problem solving
- Sales management
- Budgeting and performance metrics
- Compliance management
- Customer relationship management
- Retail strategy development
- Team building and leadership
- Effective communication
- Inventory control
- Staff training
- Customer service excellence
- Written and verbal communication
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- QuickBooks and METRC expertise
- RMS and POS systems knowledge
- Workforce scheduling
- Process improvement
- Employee engagement
- Promotional planning
- Conflict resolution
- Store operations
Technical Programs
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- Outlook
- Powerpoint
- QuickBooks
- METRC
- Multiple RMS and POS programs
- SAR Fundamentals qualified
- Qualified as an Incident Commander in the Incident Command System of the United States
Military Service
United States Coast Guard, St Clair Shores, MI, Detroit, MI, Catania, Sicily, Boatswains Mate Third Class, 07/01/01, 06/01/05, Expert in navigation, Boat handling skills, Search and rescue
Timeline
Director of Retail Operations
Lume Cannabis Co.
08.2023 - 03.2025
District Manager Manager
Lume Cannabis Co.
12.2022 - 08.2023
Area Manager
Lume Cannabis Company
11.2019 - 12.2022
Sales Consultant/Service Tech Northern Territory
BBC Distributing
03.2018 - 05.2019
Manager
Hurricane Hole Fresh Seafood Grill
12.2016 - 02.2018
General Manager
Sunset Watersports Inc.
04.2009 - 12.2016
Boat Rental Manager
Sunset Watersports Inc.
03.2006 - 04.2009
Sales Consultant
Art Van Furniture
06.2005 - 03.2006
Boatswains Mate Third Class
United States Coast Guard
07.2001 - 06.2005
Some College (No Degree) - Theater Arts
Columbia College
Some College (No Degree) - Gender Studies
Macomb Community College