Hi, I’m
Kent Starks
Brule,NE
Summary
Experienced Operations Manager with 35 years of management experience, including 20 years in training and 12 years in multi-unit responsibility. Consistently achieved record-breaking sales and profit results at Pilot Company, delivering the highest sales increases across multiple companies. Recognized for improving shrink rate at Dollar General and enhancing EBITDA performance. Received the prestigious Store Manager of the Year award at Arby's.
Overview
35
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
Operations Manager
2023.04 - Current (3 education.years_Label & 2 education.months_Label)
Job overview
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for team members, providing feedback on areas of improvement and recognizing achievements
- Managed inventory levels to ensure optimal stock availability while minimizing carrying costs
- Analyzed data trends to identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality or service levels
- Instituted safety training programs resulting in zero workplace accidents.
Pilot Flying J
Travel Center General Manager
2014.12 - 2023.04 (8 education.years_Label & 4 education.months_Label)
Job overview
- Operations Manager of a Travel Center
- Increased Fuel Gallons by 18%
- Achieved Record Sales
- Achieved Record Profits
- Achieved Record Expense Control
- Trained, Coached, and Mentored 25+ Future Leaders
- Recruiting and Retention Recognition.
XL Parts
Area/Region Manager
2016.05 - 2017.11 (1 education.year_Label & 6 education.months_Label)
Job overview
- Operations, Sales, Logistics, and Dealer Services Manager for the Oklahoma Region
- Sales Increased by 28%, Achieved Daily, Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Sales Records
- Achieved Record Profits
- Achieved Record Service Levels.
Dollar General
District Manager/Regional Trainer
2008.01 - 2014.01 (6 education.years_Label)
Job overview
- Successful Operations Manager of 18+ Dollar General Locations in Kansas
- Increased Sales more than 35%
- Decreased Shrink 3.15%
- Increased EBITDA more than 22%
- Achieved Store Manager Turnover of less than 10%
- Trained and Developed the District Trainers.
Advance Auto Parts
Store Manager/District Lead/Divisional Training Manager
2005.01 - 2008.01 (3 education.years_Label)
Job overview
- Operations Manager of 3 Locations
- Customer Satisfaction, Sales Accountability, Inventory Management, Human Resources, P&L Accountability
- Achieved Positive Sales increase of 8%
- Achieved Profit increase over previous 4 years of 2.1%.
AutoZone Inc
Store Manager/District Training Manager/Assistant District Manager
2003.01 - 2005.01 (2 education.years_Label)
Job overview
- Customer Service, Schedules, Human Resources, Inventory Management, and P&L responsibility
- Increased Sales 27%
- Decreased Shrink by 2.7%
- Increased Profits 9%.
7-Eleven Inc
Field Consultant/District Manager/Market Training Manager
2000.01 - 2003.01 (3 education.years_Label)
Job overview
- Operations Manager of 10+ 7-Eleven stores within the Kansas City area
- Increased Sales 18%
- Decreased Shrink 3.6%
- Increased Profits by coaching corporate locations and consulting franchise locations.
Perkins Family Restaurants
General Manager
2000.01 - 2002.01 (2 education.years_Label)
Job overview
- Started as a General Manager in Training and completed FOH management and BOH management training
- Promoted to General Manager of a location in Blue Springs Missouri.
Arby's
Store Manager/District Training Manager/Assistant District Manager
1993.01 - 2000.01 (7 education.years_Label)
Job overview
- Started as Assistant Manager in 1993, promoted to Store Manager later that year, then District Training Manager in 1994 and Assistant District Manager in 1998
- Increased Sales by 23%
- Achieved Customer Service Score of 98.3% YTD.
Education
DeVry Technical InstituteKansas City, MO
Associate's degree in Business Management
09.1992
Northwest Technology CenterAlva, OK
Certification in Business Operations
05.1991
Alva High SchoolAlva, OK
High School Diploma from Business
05.1991
Skills
- Stocking
- Business Management
- Training & Development
- Profit & Loss
- Recruiting
- Store Management Experience
- Human Resources
- Logistics
- Farming
- Budgeting
- Retail Management
- Pricing
- Business Development
- Project Management
- Assistant Manager Experience
- Team Management
- Interviewing
- Mentoring
- Merchandising
- Research
- Office Management
- Conflict Management
- Sales
- Financial Report Writing
- Negotiation
- Forecasting
- Financial analysis
- Employee relations
- Territory management
- Operations management
- Manufacturing
- P&L Management
- Financial acumen
- Dealership experience
- Direct sales
- B2B sales
- Strategic Planning
- Business Analysis
- Sales Management
- Process Improvement
- Quality Assurance
- Supply Chain
- Inventory Management
Certification
- Driver's License, 03/01/23, 04/30/28
- ServSafe
Timeline
Operations Manager
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
2023.04 - Current (3 education.years_Label & 2 education.months_Label)
Area/Region Manager
XL Parts
2016.05 - 2017.11 (1 education.year_Label & 6 education.months_Label)
Travel Center General Manager
Pilot Flying J
2014.12 - 2023.04 (8 education.years_Label & 4 education.months_Label)
District Manager/Regional Trainer
Dollar General
2008.01 - 2014.01 (6 education.years_Label)
Store Manager/District Lead/Divisional Training Manager
Advance Auto Parts
2005.01 - 2008.01 (3 education.years_Label)
Store Manager/District Training Manager/Assistant District Manager
AutoZone Inc
2003.01 - 2005.01 (2 education.years_Label)
Field Consultant/District Manager/Market Training Manager
7-Eleven Inc
2000.01 - 2003.01 (3 education.years_Label)
General Manager
Perkins Family Restaurants
2000.01 - 2002.01 (2 education.years_Label)
Store Manager/District Training Manager/Assistant District Manager
Arby's
1993.01 - 2000.01 (7 education.years_Label)
DeVry Technical Institute
Associate's degree in Business Management
Northwest Technology Center
Certification in Business Operations
Alva High School
High School Diploma from Business