Kimberly Owen

Retail Buyer/Manager, Group Sales & Banquet Manager - Dual Roles

Eldorado Casino

Shreveport, LA

01.2006 - 01.2021

Oversaw procurement and merchandising activities in Gift Shop.
Planned, managed, selected and purchased merchandise spanning apparel, decor, gifts and more.
Managed end-to-end product lifecycle from order placement to in-store availability.
Attend market, choose product, order product, create and issue PO, set-up items in Stratten Warren, inspect each delivery for accuracy/damages/discrepancies, unpack boxes, complete receivers, price each item, print barcode, tag each item and merchandise the item in the store
Attended markets to engage with distributors and review product portfolios.
Fostered strong relationships with sales representatives, vendors, and customers via phone and in-person interactions.
Collaborated with various departments to procure products tailored to special events and player parties.
Conducted weekly and monthly cycle counts to ensure inventory accuracy.
Conducted daily store walkthroughs to maintain organization and visual appeal.
Fostered cross-functional partnerships among teams including purchasing, receiving, and accounts payable.
Oversaw the monthly Gift Shop budget, averaging $100,000.
Oversaw work activities of individuals from Gift Shop, Banquets and contractual labor.
Monitored and approved payroll data entries for employees across Banquet department and Gift Shop via Kronos/Paycom platforms.
Operated point-of-sale systems while handling shift rotations.
Maintained composure and focus during high-pressure situations.
Positive approach to conflict resolution
Directed installation and management of seasonal property decorations for Mardi Gras, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Provided direction of the Banquet Department including planning organizing, execution and evaluation of all banquet functions and special events
Delivered exceptional customer service by maintaining consistency, accountability, and integrity.
Orchestrated breakdown of rooms and cleanup to return event spaces to original order.
Reconciled daily transactions, balanced cash registers and deposited restaurant's earnings at bank.
Liaised with kitchen staff to ensure timely and accurate food service during events.
Delivered exceptional service to every customer through active engagement, effective listening and well-developed interpersonal skills.
Worked closely with other departments such as kitchen staff or housekeeping staff to ensure smooth operations during events.
Coordinated and monitored banquet operations to ensure quality service standards were met.
Scheduled space or equipment for special programs, meetings and conferences.
Communicated with external vendors such as florists and musicians to plan details and guide from beginning to end of event.
Communicated with venue personnel to coordinate event logistics.
Designed custom private function and banquet packages for business dinners, sales presentations, club meetings, weddings and charity events.
Handled client inquiries and resolved issues promptly to maintain high levels of satisfaction.
Interacted with kitchen staff to plan food and beverage logistics.
Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
Reviewed banquet event orders to determine room layouts and schedule staff.
Conducted pre-event briefings with staff to communicate event details and client expectations.
Coordinated with employees to arrange tables, chairs and other equipment needed for functions.
Assisted in menu planning and presentation to ensure alignment with event themes and client preferences.
Planned menus in consultation with chefs and caterers to meet the needs of clients.
Developed and maintained positive relationships with vendors and suppliers for event needs.
Managed all aspects of event planning including budgeting, scheduling, vendor selection, management, menu selections, creation, decorations.
Participated in weekly management meetings in order to provide updates on current and future projects related to banquets.
Built and maintained productive relationships with employees.
Reviewed customer feedback on current stock items, as well as suggested new items for consideration.
Negotiated product prices, discounts and shipping incentives with vendors.
Identified areas of cost savings through strategic sourcing initiatives.
Analyzed buying trends at each store location to identify appropriate mix of inventory items for top-tier sales.
Assessed condition of shipped products upon arrival to meet quality standards.
Developed relationships with new and existing vendors to ensure product availability and quality standards are met.
Performed regular audits of physical inventories at stores and warehouses to ensure accuracy of stock counts.
Maintained accurate records of purchase orders, invoices and other related documents in company system.
Ordered inventory based on understanding of current fashion and market trends.
Monitored inventory levels of merchandise in retail stores to determine re-order needs.
Analyzed financial data such as sales figures, costs, expenses, discounts. to make sound purchasing decisions.
Reviewed customer feedback to brainstorm new merchandise ideas and improve existing products.
Stayed abreast of market trends and anticipated consumer needs and purchasing habits.
Attended trade shows and conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.
Assessed trends and inventory usage to provide maximum product coverage for different time frames.
Planned store layouts and displays to maximize sales potential of products.
Negotiated pricing for apparel and accessories from vendors to secure optimal pricing and keep costs low.
Sourced new vendors and suppliers to boost product offerings and increase profit margins at each store location.
Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.

Summary

Overview

Work History

Retail Buyer/Manager, Group Sales & Banquet Manager - Dual Roles

Catering Manager

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree - Marketing

Skills

References

References

Timeline

Retail Buyer/Manager, Group Sales & Banquet Manager - Dual Roles

Catering Manager

Bachelor of Science Degree - Marketing

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