Ken Kanowitz
Linkedin.com/in/ken-kanowitz
Work Preference
Summary
I am a Project and Program Management professional with 6+ years of hands-on experience delivering cross-functional initiatives across remote and globally distributed teams. I specialize in managing complex project pipelines, aligning stakeholders, and establishing repeatable delivery processes that support consistent execution. My work spans technology, consumer goods, e-commerce, and localization. I’ve partnered closely with product, creative, operations, finance, sales, and vendor teams to deliver outcomes on time, within budget, and within scope.
In recent roles, I have managed large, multi-project portfolios by coordinating shared resources, timelines, and priorities across dozens of concurrent initiatives. I serve as a central point of coordination between business stakeholders and delivery teams, managing production calendars, intake workflows, and cross-team dependencies. I have led process improvements that reduced bottlenecks, limited rework, reduced expenses, and improved delivery predictability while supporting multiple teams and customer groups through a single operating model.
I approach project and program delivery with a clear understanding of how execution decisions affect cost, capacity, timelines, and business performance. I use quantitative data analytics to guide decisions, prioritize workflows, and identify efficiency opportunities. My background in operations and e-commerce has provided hands-on exposure to P&L and KPI reporting, personnel management, inventory controls, and cost-reduction initiatives, allowing me to bring a grounded, business-minded perspective to delivery planning and execution.
My approach to project and program management emphasizes clarity, accountability, communication, and continuous improvement. Supported by PMP, Scrum, and Agile certifications, I am effective in Agile, hybrid, and waterfall project management. I am fluent in tools such as Jira, Smartsheet, Asana, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace. I am well-suited for roles that require strong execution, sound business judgment, and the ability to manage complex, high-volume work across distributed teams in remote-first organizations.Experienced Project Manager and operations leader with 15+ years of experience supporting organizational change, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration across retail, e-commerce, and finance. My background in management roles with major national retailers allowed me to develop strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills while working in metric-driven environments focused on KPI performance.
I am comfortable collaborating with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and have led diverse teams to deliver complex projects involving new system implementations, workflow optimization, and operational improvements. My recent work includes contributing to UI and customer experience enhancements for e-commerce products, as well as developing workflow automations to improve project efficiency. I am experienced in Agile methodologies and skilled in using tools such as Jira, Smartsheet, Asana, and Microsoft products to manage timelines, track deliverables, risks, and support data-driven decision making.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Associate Project Manager
Hasbro
06.2023 - Current
- Took over a 40+ project pipeline and introduced a hybrid waterfall-within-Agile approach to reduce bottlenecks and improve coordination across dispersed teams. By Q1 of 2025 my project pipeline had expanded to 65 projects.
- Drove major cost savings by cutting excess builds and rework, leveraging internal storage, and streamlining workflows—resulting in a 60%+ reduction in storage fees within one year.
- Created a shared display program that pooled customer demand across accounts, generating a 30% YoY increase in sales and boosting project profitability.
Project Coordinator
Google Via Advanced Systems Group, LLC
08.2022 - 04.2023
- Acted as a central coordination point for stakeholders, program managers, designers, and content specialists, ensuring seamless communication and alignment on social media, blog, and video project requests.
- Partnered with dispersed team members to manage shared production calendars for daily posts, campaigns, and content launches, supporting consistent delivery across Google Developer product channels.
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional partners to monitor progress and remove roadblocks, helping teams maintain schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
Project Manager
Ilocalize LLC
08.2021 - 04.2022
- Managed localization projects from design-stage review through deployment, and QA ensuring marketing materials, emails, and web components were properly adapted for international markets.
- Coordinated 3rd-party translators and vendors across varying time zones, maintaining clear requirements, workflow alignment, and consistent localized output.
- Assigned and tracked Jira tickets through completion, monitoring budgets, timelines, and deliverables to keep milestones on schedule and within scope.
Project Manager/Business Consultant
Khold
02.2019 - 08.2022
- Planned, launched, and managed an e-commerce business selling liquidation sporting goods, overseeing storefronts (eBay, Amazon), inventory workflows, customer service, and compliance.
- Built and maintained core processes by tracking sales, SEO, and ad performance via Google Analytics, managing COGS, payroll, and taxes in QuickBooks, and optimizing inventory turnover to improve margins.
- Applied operations and management expertise to drive analysis, process improvements, and consulting initiatives.
Operations / E-commerce Manager
Dick’s Sporting Goods
04.2018 - 02.2019
- Oversaw full-store operations, including sales, P&L, customer satisfaction, PLCC and loyalty program performance, freight flow, shrink reduction, loss prevention audits, and staffing—leveraging data from daily reports to guide planning and team huddles.
- Led e-commerce fulfillment initiatives by redesigning ship-from-store and in-store pickup workflows, implementing cross-training for associates, and improving packing and order selection processes, resulting in higher accuracy and faster fulfillment.
- Managed recruitment, hiring, training, and talent development, while creating process improvements across front-end operations and e-commerce functions to enhance productivity, reduce errors, and increase customer satisfaction.
E-commerce Manager / Project Manager
Walmart
07.2016 - 03.2018
- Reviewed daily operational and KPI reports including productivity, customer satisfaction, inventory, order fulfillment, and delivery times to identify trends and implement action plans for scheduling, training, hiring, and inventory replenishment.
- Coordinated with third-party vendors, store management, and field office teams to improve workflows, reduce delivery lead times, and enhance e-commerce operations and customer experience.
- Managed hiring and training initiatives, including mass staffing events and LMS compliance, streamlining processes to reduce applicant processing time to ensure teams were fully staffed and operationally ready.
Co Manager
The Sports Authority
04.2014 - 07.2016
- Directed store operation including scheduling, merchandising, sales floor oversight, freight, and associate development using P&L, CSAT, and KPIs to drive actionable strategies.
- Led recruiting, onboarding, LMS compliance, and professional development, improving loyalty program penetration by 5% and CSAT scores by 8%.
- Managed a 2-month store liquidation project with a third-party vendor, executing markdowns, signage updates, and department reorganization to ensure an efficient and profitable closeout.
Assiatant Store Manager
Office Depot
Avon, CO
07.2012 - 12.2013
- Responsibilities included; planning and delegating weekly merchandising resets, monitoring sales floor activities and customer service, monitoring customer checkout processes, overseeing freight processes, conducting interviews, onboarding, ensuring completion of LMS training and talent development programs for associates, professional development of sales staff for core competencies, freight receiving entry and verification, working shrink reports, creating business process improvement plans, and positively motivating associates to peak performance.
While working for Office Depot I was able to raise my store's loyalty enrollment rate and loyalty transaction percentage rate to the top of my district. I was also able to have a positive impact on conversion rate by changing salesfloor behaviors and best practices. - I helped manage my location through its liquidation and closure. This process involved managing the project with a third-party liquidation company to set up and follow an organized liquidation plan that had a 2-month timeframe. Each week I would lead a team through a new list of mark-down price changes for each item category. This required the creation and management of a team to re-price and create new signage for each category. It also required the movement and condensation of departments and sections within the store as we sold through inventory.
Ski Valet Supervisor / Valet
Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa
Avon
12.2010 - 06.2012
- Ski Valet Lead. I organized and managed the creation and installation of new ski, snowboard, and boot inventory racking systems. This included the development and implementation of a new computer-based inventory tracking system. I wrote and developed departmental SOPs and training manuals. I then trained and mentored all Valet staff members as well as the hotel's management team. I strategically planned departmental schedules based on expected hotel occupancy levels. All occupancy levels, revenue, and guest information was tracked using the Lightspeed platform. I lived and worked as an example of five-star guest service. I Served on the hotel's Guest Experience Council to work on continually improving guest satisfaction and experience.
• Valet. Responsibilities included; greeting and assisting guests with check-in, coordinating the delivery of guest luggage, providing directions to local destinations, retrieval of guest vehicles, and working in a fast-paced but professional manner.
Night Operations Manager
The Home Depot Inc
Avon, CO
07.2008 - 02.2010
- Night Operations Supervisor. Responsibilities included; working with receiving team and freight team supervisor to plan nightly workloads, closing cash office, coordinating freight team planning, and securing the facility nightly.
• Freight Team Supervisor. Responsibilities included; receiving freight while checking for order accuracy and damage, staging freight for stocking crew, and training new employees. Worked with Receiving Supervisor to ensure all products were properly received daily to ensure correct book and physical inventory. State certified use of propane-powered and electrical-powered lift equipment was required.
• Tool Rental Center Manager. Tasks included; coordinating equipment maintenance and repair with TRC technicians, ordering parts and supplies from multiple vendors, tracking tool utilization and depreciation, selling used equipment, and analyzing profit and loss statements. Increased Q2 to Q3 gross revenue by 14% Y/Y. I trained my associates on better ways to offer our customers Home Depot's PLCC to unlock value for our customers. This helped raise my stores overall PLCC enrollment and penetration rate.
• Paint Department Manager. Tasks included; ordering supplies, analyzing sales and inventory reports, organizing and delegating time-based tasks, and providing a superior level of customer service with above-average product knowledge.
Customer Relations Manager
Kroger
Avon, CO
11.2001 - 07.2008
- Responsibilities included; ordering store supplies, directing front end customer traffic, training new employees for various positions, monitoring the customer service and checkout processes, reviewing cashier metrics, and handling all functions of cash management. I trained cashiers on how to offer our loyalty program to customers to help them unlock value and save money. This led to an increase in my stores loyalty program sign-ups.
Responsibilities included; ordering store supplies, directing front end customer traffic, training new employees for various positions, monitoring the customer service and checkout processes, reviewing cashier metrics, and handling all functions of cash management. I trained cashiers on how to offer our loyalty program to customers to help them unlock value and save money. This led to an increase in my stores loyalty program sign-ups.
Skills: Leadership · Regulatory Compliance · Problem Solving · Business Analysis · Budget Management · Point of Sale (POS) Systems · Business Acumen · Customer Relationship Management (CRM) · Learning Management Systems · Tableau · Inventory Management · Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) · Change Management
Skills: Leadership · Regulatory Compliance · Problem Solving · Business Analysis · Budget Management · Point of Sale (POS) Systems · Business Acumen · Customer Relationship Management (CRM) · Learning Management Systems · Tableau · Inventory Management · Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) · Change Management
Head Clerk
Nov 2001 - Nov 2007 · 6 yrs 1 moNov 2001 to Nov 2007 · 6 yrs 1 mo
Gunbarrel, COGunbarrel, CO
Responsibilities included; Supervising front-end operations and customer traffic flow, training and development of new associates, writing employee schedules, and overseeing customer service resolutions. Knowledge of Colorado state labor laws, HIPAA, and ServSafe was required.
Acted as a Change Manager to roll out a new front-end operations system to help improve customer satisfaction and speed up the checkout process.
Prior positions held; Service desk manager, Photo lab manager, Produce clerk, General Merchandise clerk, Grocery clerk, and Cashier.
Education
SQL for Data Science -
University of California, Davis
09.2021
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Management And Operations
Colorado Mountain College
05.2014
Agile Leadership Professional Certification - Agile Project Management
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, Colorado, CO 06.2021 - 07.2021
Skills
- AI / Automation tools: ChatGPT, Bard, Claude, Microsoft Copilot
- Project management tools: Jira, Smartsheet, Asana, ConceptShare, Microsoft Project
- Data analysis & reporting: Power BI, Excel, Google Analytics
- Workflow automation / process optimization tools
- E-commerce platforms: eBay, Amazon, Shopify (if applicable)
- Financial software: QuickBooks, P&L tracking
- Communication
- Collaboration / Cross-functional teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Leadership / Team development
- Project coordination
- Change management
- Process improvement
- Stakeholder management
- Time management
Project monitoring
Scrum framework
Meeting facilitation
Task delegation
Project scheduling
Client relations
Schedule management
Risk management
Quality control
Scope management
Cost control
Technical planning
Project planning
Client relationships
Budget development
Regulatory compliance
Meeting coordination
Project planning and management
Resource utilization planning
Teamwork
Customer service
Multitasking
Organizational skills
Team leadership
Attention to detail
Adaptability and flexibility
Self motivation
Time management abilities
Strategic thinking
Effective communication
Active listening
Critical thinking
Problem-solving aptitude
Detail-oriented
Work Planning and Prioritization
Customer relationship management
Financial analysis
Quality assurance
Continuous improvement
Complex Problem-solving
Conflict resolution
Stakeholder relations
Data analysis
Project management
Compliance monitoring
Agile methodologies
Workflow Analysis
Certification
PMP (Project Management Professional) - Project Management Institute - 2023
Project Management - Google Certification - 2021
Certified Scrum Master - LearnQuest Bala Cynwyd - 2021
Agile Leadership - University of Colorado Denver - 2021
Languages
Portuguese
Intermediate (B1)
Spanish
Elementary (A2)
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Software
Smartsheet
Jira
Asana
Frameio
Google Docs
Microsoft Excel
ChatGPT
Google Workspace
SQLite
Tableau
Taleo
Timeline
Associate Project Manager
Hasbro
06.2023 - Current
Project Coordinator
Google Via Advanced Systems Group, LLC
08.2022 - 04.2023
Project Manager
Ilocalize LLC
08.2021 - 04.2022
Agile Leadership Professional Certification - Agile Project Management
University of Colorado Denver
06.2021 - 07.2021
Project Manager/Business Consultant
Khold
02.2019 - 08.2022
Operations / E-commerce Manager
Dick’s Sporting Goods
04.2018 - 02.2019
E-commerce Manager / Project Manager
Walmart
07.2016 - 03.2018
Co Manager
The Sports Authority
04.2014 - 07.2016
Assiatant Store Manager
Office Depot
07.2012 - 12.2013
Ski Valet Supervisor / Valet
Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa
12.2010 - 06.2012
Night Operations Manager
The Home Depot Inc
07.2008 - 02.2010
Customer Relations Manager
Kroger
11.2001 - 07.2008
SQL for Data Science -
University of California, Davis
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Management And Operations
Colorado Mountain College