Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Karen Nilson

Osseo,MN

Summary

Dynamic professional with extensive experience in team leadership and customer service management at HyVee Foods among many other successful companies. Proven track record in problem-solving and conflict resolution, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Skilled in cash handling and POS system operation, consistently driving sales and fostering a positive work environment.

Reliable Shift Leader with over 20 years in the retail industry. Excellent motivational leader successfully communicates duties and tasks. Dedicated to providing highest standard of service and creating warm and welcoming environment for customers.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Shift Leader

HyVee Foods
03.2024 - 02.2025
  • Maintained clean and well-organized production areas to avoid violations or unnecessary work delays due to hazards or inefficient layouts.
  • Prepared shift summary reports for supervisor and communicated regularly on goals and progress.
  • Resolved customer complaints and issues and offered thoughtful solutions to maintain customer satisfaction.
  • Trained new employees and delegated daily tasks and responsibilities.
  • Cross-trained at Market Grill Express
  • Prepared food based on customers on-demand orders, as well as needed on sales floor.
  • Responsible for end of day counts on all registers, along with end of day drops, and lottery counts.
  • Enforced company policies and regulations with employees.
  • Completed cash and credit card transactions accurately using POS software.
  • Managed shift operations, supplied resources and monitored team performance to keep business profitable and running smoothly.
  • Managed inventory and ordered supplies to keep location well stocked with necessary supplies.
  • Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
  • Cultivated positive relationships with vendors to deliver timely and cost-effective supply of services and materials.
  • Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
  • Maintained database systems to track and analyze operational data.

Sales Associate/Customer Service Associate

Menards
03.2022 - 08.2023
  • Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.
  • Engaged with customers to build rapport and loyalty.
  • Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
  • Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
  • Accurately processed POS transactions, returning coin, currency, payment cards, and receipts to customers.
  • Managed returns, exchanges and refunds in accordance with store policy.
  • Rotated stock and restocked shelves to maintain product availability and store appearance.
  • Used in-store system to locate inventory and place special orders for customers.

Production Manager/Embroidery Machine Operator

Lindstrom Embroidery
02.2015 - 10.2020
  • Standardized production procedures, job roles, and quality assurance guidelines.
  • Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
  • Sourced materials to keep up with production goals and meet customer demands.
  • Reviewed work for quality and compliance with company standards and design specifications.
  • Created streamlined production schedules and communicated production deadlines and expectations to production employees.
  • Digitized customer's artwork as well as assisting customers with design of desired embroidery.
  • Maintained bookkeeping of all customer transactions including creating new invoices as well as updating invoices as paid.
  • Responsible for preparing staff payroll for payroll company.
  • Maintained and fostered relationships with customers and/or vendors both new and existing, while fulfilling contractual obligations with said customers.
  • Reviewed maintenance and repair problems to determine appropriate action for resolution.
  • Delivered direct feedback to senior management regarding project visibility and status.
  • Managed personnel by implementing company policies, procedures, work rules, and disciplinary action.
  • Implemented quality control system to review products against customer's expectations as well as corporate standards.
  • Evaluated employee performance and provided feedback and training as needed.
  • Coordinated with other departments to align production with customer requirements.
  • Monitored inventory levels and restocking schedules to avoid production delays from unavailable materials.

Shift Leader/Embroidery Machine Operator

Champlin Athletic
08.2011 - 02.2015
  • Resolved conflicts between employees to maintain positive and productive work environments.
  • Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
  • Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
  • Frequently inspected production area to verify proper equipment operation.
  • Observed packing operations to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Calibrated machine settings for stitch length, tension and spacing to optimize efficiency.
  • Operated computerized embroidery machine to complete work to order specification.
  • Tracked and restocked production supply and inventory of thread and material.
  • Analyzed sale order to determine design and location of embroidery.
  • Designed proof sample to submit to client for approval.
  • Executed installation of embroidery hoops and apparatus to hold fabric tight.
  • Cultivated positive relationships with vendors to deliver timely and cost-effective supply of services and materials.

Shift Leader

Heartbreaker
04.2012 - 07.2013
  • Prepared shift summary reports for supervisor and communicated regularly on goals and progress.
  • Resolved customer complaints and issues and offered thoughtful solutions to maintain customer satisfaction.
  • Trained new employees and delegated daily tasks and responsibilities.
  • Enforced company policies and regulations with employees.
  • Completed cash and credit card transactions accurately using POS software.
  • Managed shift operations, supplied resources and monitored team performance to keep business profitable and running smoothly.
  • Managed inventory and ordered supplies to keep location well stocked with necessary supplies.
  • Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
  • Helped with loss prevention by remaining aware and attentive to all customers with attention to customer conduct without showing suspicion or acting accusatory.
  • Regularly acted as loss prevention by maintaining position at front of store and acting as last line of defense against theft in an inconspicuous manner.
  • Greeted all customers with a positive attitude and smile as well as thanking customers for their business as they leave.
  • Responsible for opening, counting, and assigning registers to employees at start of their shift, making cash drops as needed throughout shift, and counting down and dropping cash from all registers at end of shift.

Store Manager

Mobile Link Wireless
04.2002 - 08.2003
  • Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
  • Maintained proper product levels and inventory controls for merchandise and organized backroom to facilitate effective ordering and stock rotation.
  • Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
  • Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
  • Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
  • Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
  • Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
  • Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
  • Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
  • Recruited, hired, and trained sales associates by teaching current sales tactics along with providing sales team with knowledge of current products offered as well as current industry trends and new technology.
  • Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
  • Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
  • Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
  • Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
  • Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed sales with high success rate.
  • Knollwood store was leader in sales in Midwest region 6 months in a row.

Assistant Manager

Mobil
08.2000 - 12.2002
  • Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service.
  • Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies, and forecast future needs.
  • Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
  • Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
  • Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
  • Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
  • Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.

Education

Associate of Applied Science - .NET Programming

Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park
06-2018

Skills

  • Team supervision
  • Customer service management
  • Problem-solving
  • Team leadership
  • Sales expertise and closing sales
  • Conflict resolution
  • Staff training and development
  • Assigning work
  • Cash handling
  • Shift scheduling
  • POS system operation

Timeline

Shift Leader

HyVee Foods
03.2024 - 02.2025

Sales Associate/Customer Service Associate

Menards
03.2022 - 08.2023

Production Manager/Embroidery Machine Operator

Lindstrom Embroidery
02.2015 - 10.2020

Shift Leader

Heartbreaker
04.2012 - 07.2013

Shift Leader/Embroidery Machine Operator

Champlin Athletic
08.2011 - 02.2015

Store Manager

Mobile Link Wireless
04.2002 - 08.2003

Assistant Manager

Mobil
08.2000 - 12.2002

Associate of Applied Science - .NET Programming

Hennepin Technical College

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Karen Nilson