Kyle Sledge

Financial Management

• Work with Market Leadership to develop annual business plan and budget as well as financial, production and revenue goals. Prepare annual operational and personnel budgets. Communicate Company and Market strategies, values, and goals to staff. Interpret goals into local actionable plans.
• Collaborate with Finance Field Manager to monitor and understand financial trend, changes, and mechanisms to drive financial goals.
• Approve expenditures and invoices. Manage overtime to an acceptable expense.

Operations

• Manage the day-to-day operations communicating expectations, delegating workload, and setting priorities ensuring annual goal achievement. Review and revise schedules ensuring on-time services that exceed customer expectations. Resolve escalated customer issues. Assure operations comply with regulations, procedures, and policies.
• Collaborate with local Management for resource sharing, ideas, and business or operational enhancements. Work with Market Leadership and Corporate Departments on product, process, and technology needs and improvements.
• Participate in community, civic, or other organizations as a part of the local promotional efforts of the location and the Company
• Ensure the maintenance of facilities, and grounds are clean, manicured, and working order, budgeting appropriately for repairs including equipment and furniture
• Plan and implement annual initiatives that may affect resources or goals across locations. Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business needs, resource constraints, and negotiate solutions.
• Identifies and implements innovative solutions improving efficiencies. Supports change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; quickly adjusts to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.

Funeral Arrangements & Directing

• Receive and initiate calls to deceased next of kin. Exhibiting concern and empathy, facilitates Arrangements Conference while assessing needs and summarizing desired outcomes. Discuss available life insurance and available benefits, such as Veteran. Promotes funeral and crematory services and merchandise such as catering, flowers, music, and other products.
• Preside as Master of Ceremonies for visitation, funeral, or graveside services in a professional, organized, and caring manner consistent with Company standards. Confirms authorization to proceed with service Arrangements. Present when the casket containing a human body is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault and verifies that any personal belongings are removed from the deceased prior to burial per the Arrangements.

Leadership and People Development

• Develop a strong, trusting, and reliable team. Provide oversight, guidance, and coaching including regular informal and formal feedback, identifying developmental needs, and tracking progress. Understand team members career aspirations and provide assignments to develop skills and/or close gaps. Apply a proactive and collaborative management style in order to increase employee engagement and minimize turnover.
• Responsible for screening candidates (internal and external) and hiring or promoting a skilled and effective staff. Recommends pay increases, special pays, and career advancements.
• Build effective business relationships across the organizations

• Assisted in the preparation of bodies for visitation or burial, adhering to strict standards of care.
• Established trust among clients by consistently delivering exceptional service while maintaining sensitivity towards their needs.
• Maintained facility cleanliness, ensuring a welcoming environment for grieving families.
• Displayed highest level of professionalism and sensitivity when dealing with grieving family members.
• Managed all aspects of funeral arrangements for smooth and efficient service delivery.
• Arranged funeral/memorial services for grieving families to meet budget and memorialized instructions.
• Liaised between hospitals, physicians, county coroner and members of clergy to coordinate final arrangements.
• Served diverse clientele by offering a range of culturally and religiously appropriate services.
• Discussed pre-arranged funeral options and explained pricing to clients.
• Upheld legal compliance with local regulations regarding burials, cremations, and embalming practices.
• Picked up deceased at private homes, hospitals and county morgues.
• Improved client satisfaction by providing compassionate and personalized funeral services.
• Facilitated pre-planning consultations, guiding clients through complex decision-making processes.

• Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
• Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
• Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
• Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
• Manage the daily activities ensuring on-time services
• Assure the location’s operating practices comply with applicable federal and state regulations and Company policies
• Establish location goals and priorities
• Effectively present and communicate Company and Market strategies, values, and goals to staff
• Manage frontline supervisor’s responsibilities, expectations, and accountabilities
• Collaborate with local Management for resource sharing, ideas, and business or operational enhancements
• Work with Market Leadership and Corporate Departments on product, process, and technology needs and improvements
• Ensure the maintenance of buildings, facilities, and grounds are clean, manicured, and working order, budgeting appropriately for repairs including equipment and furniture

• Prepared paperwork efficiently for legal requirements such as death certificates, burial permits, insurance claims, and veteran benefits.
• Supported bereaved families during difficult moments by offering emotional care throughout the entire process from service planning till after-service follow-up calls or visits.
• Developed relationships with local vendors such as florists, caterers, musicians, and photographers to provide seamless coordination for funeral services.
• Continuously sought opportunities for personal growth within the funeral services industry by attending workshops, conferences, and pursuing further education.

• Expedited post-funeral processing through prompt filing of required paperwork with appropriate government agencies or insurance companies.
• Upheld client confidentiality and privacy by diligently managing sensitive personal information related to deceased individuals and their families.
• Ensured proper documentation by preparing death certificates, burial permits, and related paperwork as required.
• Supported bereaved families in creating personalized memorial tributes that honored the life of their loved one.
• Collaborated with colleagues to ensure all aspects of funeral services were executed according to plan despite tight deadlines or unexpected challenges.
• Streamlined service preparation through effective coordination with clergy, florists, caterers, and other vendors.
• Enhanced family satisfaction by providing compassionate support and assistance during funeral services.
• Assisted in the seamless execution of visitations, funerals, and memorial services while maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Assisted with the preparation and display of the deceased, ensuring respectful presentation throughout the visitation and service period.
• Promoted a comfortable atmosphere for clients by greeting visitors warmly upon arrival at the funeral home or chapel.
• Contributed to an organized environment by maintaining clean viewing rooms, chapels, lounges, offices, and restrooms.
• Drove company vehicles to transport remains or families to services.
• Welcomed families and visitors into facility and guided into appropriate visitation rooms or chapel.
• Prepared facilities for funeral visitations and memorial services, arranging chairs and flower arrangements and setting up sign-in books and memorial cards.
• Set up flowers, opened and closed caskets and acted as pallbearer.
• Carried flowers to hearses or limousines for transportation to churches and places of interment.
• Supported funeral director with all facets of funeral service coordination.