Joel Favela-Gardea
Kansas City,KS
Summary
Professional Fresh Department Leader with comprehensive experience in overseeing daily operations, ensuring high standards of product quality and customer service. Strong focus on team collaboration and flexibility with changing needs. Proven track record in inventory management, staff training, and driving sales growth. Well-versed in maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations, fostering productive work environment, and delivering consistent results.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Fresh Department Manager
The Merc Co-op
07.2025 - Current
- Managed daily operations of fresh department, ensuring product quality and freshness.
- Trained staff in food safety standards and proper handling techniques.
- Assisted in inventory management, tracking stock levels to minimize waste.
- Collaborated with suppliers to maintain optimal product selection and availability.
- Implemented visual merchandising strategies to enhance product presentation.
- Conducted regular audits of perishables to ensure compliance with health regulations.
- Resolved customer inquiries regarding fresh products, enhancing overall service experience.
- Streamlined inventory management for optimal product availability and freshness.
- Reduced waste by closely managing perishable inventory levels and implementing proper stock rotation practices.
- Promoted a safe work environment with thorough adherence to company safety policies and procedures.
- Collaborated with store management to develop strategies for driving department success and overall store growth.
- Cultivated strong vendor relationships to secure favorable pricing, timely deliveries, and consistent product quality.
- Built lasting customer relationships through attentive service delivery that consistently exceeded expectations.
- Enhanced team performance by providing ongoing coaching, training, and professional development opportunities.
- Oversaw performance metrics, taking appropriate corrective actions when necessary to achieve desired results.
- Maintained compliance with health code standards.
- Trained and led a team of five department team members.
- Purchased new inventory according to expected regular and holiday demand.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
Grocery Cooperator
The Merc Co-op
03.2025 - 07.2025
- Monitored inventory levels, coordinating restocking efforts efficiently.
- Conducted quality checks on products, maintaining high standards of accuracy.
- Managed daily operations, optimizing resource allocation for maximum productivity.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing timely and accurate information on products and services.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
- Assisted in training new team members on operational procedures.
- Implemented safety protocols, enhancing workplace compliance and safety standards.
Team Trainer
Shake Shack
08.2023 - 09.2024
- Facilitated onboarding sessions for new employees, promoting a strong understanding of company values and culture.
- Conducted regular assessments of team skills, adjusting training methods to improve overall effectiveness.
- Fostered a positive learning environment through engaging activities and interactive discussions during training sessions.
- Supported ongoing training initiatives by sharing best practices and encouraging continuous professional development among team members.
- Led by example in all aspects of work, instilling a strong sense of professionalism and dedication within the team.
- Trained other employees in customer service, food safety, and performance requirements.
- Set positive example for team members by providing high-quality, efficient service.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Greeted customers with smile and provided friendly service to professionally handle every need.
- Delivered feedback to decision-makers regarding employee performance and training needs.
- Improved team performance with regular evaluations, constructive criticism, and targeted coaching sessions.
- Taught new team members correct procedures for all areas of operations.
- Trained new employees in specific job requirements.
- Maintained current knowledge of all team position requirements.
- Cultivated a supportive atmosphere during training sessions, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
- Ensured all training content aligned with company goals and values, promoting a strong company culture among team members.
- Provided one-on-one coaching sessions for employees struggling in certain areas of their role, resulting in increased confidence and job satisfaction.
- Mentored junior employees to improve performance, food safety, and customer service.
- Documented training and progress on database to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Studied crew members during work shift to provide feedback and guidance in improving performance.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Provided coaching and mentoring to employees.
- Established and maintained quality control standards.
- Trained and mentored new personnel hired to fulfill various roles.
- Monitored employee performance, providing constructive feedback to encourage skill development and confidence.
- Collaborated with management to identify training needs and implement effective solutions for operational efficiency.
- Trained team members on menu items and service standards to ensure consistency in customer experience.
Warehouse Order Picker
Standard Motor Products, Inc.
04.2022 - 04.2023
- Operated pallet jacks to efficiently transport materials within warehouse environment.
- Selected and packed orders accurately, ensuring timely shipment of products to customers.
- Assembled orders and packed items for shipment, conveying orders to shipping personnel
- Increased order picking efficiency by utilizing warehouse management systems and barcode scanning equipment.
- Maintained a safe working environment by adhering to OSHA guidelines and proper use of personal protective equipment.
- Upheld quality standards by inspecting products during the order picking process, ensuring only undamaged items reach customers.
- Achieved consistent punctuality and attendance, demonstrating commitment towards meeting warehouse performance objectives.
- Displayed flexibility by adapting to changes in workload, shift schedules, and warehouse priorities as necessary for business continuity.
- Minimized order errors with thorough double-checking procedures, resulting in increased customer satisfaction rates.
- Picked and packed order items.
- Kept work areas neat, clean and free from debris.
- Maintained tidy and clean work areas to promote optimal productivity and safety standards.
- Moved cardboard, plastic ties, and other debris from unboxing to trash.
Education
High School Diploma -
Wyandotte High School
Kansas City05-2021
Skills
- Operational efficiency
- Merchandising strategies
- Staff training
- Inventory management
- Food safety standards
- Food safety
- Effective merchandising
- Assignment delegating
- Computer skills
- Team building
- Department operations
- Product purchasing
Accomplishments
- Recognized as Employee of the Quarter for the exceptional adaptability and rapid mastery of new processes and responsibilities
- Supervised team of 5 staff members.
- Documented and resolved employee misconduct that resulted in said employee's success afterwards
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Interim Fresh Department Manager
The Merc Co-op
07.2025 - Current
Grocery Cooperator
The Merc Co-op
03.2025 - 07.2025
Team Trainer
Shake Shack
08.2023 - 09.2024
Warehouse Order Picker
Standard Motor Products, Inc.
04.2022 - 04.2023
High School Diploma -
Wyandotte High School
Employee of the Quarter for Summer of 2025
"Joel consistently impresses us with his incredible ability to quickly grasp new concepts and challenges. Beyond his rapid learning, he brings and infectious positive attitude to every interaction, making our workplace a more enjoyable environment for everyone. Joel's commitment to treating every team member with respect truly sets an exceptional example for all of us"
-Seth Naumann, General Manager for The Merc Co-op