Lee Cole
Madison,WI
Summary
Forward-thinking team leader skilled at operating departments efficiently to meet goals. Successful background matching employees with roles for maximum performance. Proactive and hardworking individual focused on continuous operational improvement. Versatile Managing Director with proven abilities across all levels of organizational management. Talented in developing partnerships, overseeing personnel and developing tactical plans to meet strategic goals. Proven leader with significant background in cultivating and managing exceptional teams to meet and exceed demanding targets.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Store Manager
West Marine
Calumet City, IL
05.2023 - Current
- Led team to achieve sales targets through effective inventory management and customer service training.
- Streamlined operational processes, enhancing efficiency in daily store activities and staff performance.
- Developed and implemented merchandising strategies to optimize product placement and maximize visibility.
- Mentored staff on best practices for customer engagement, resulting in improved satisfaction ratings.
- Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, adjusting inventory levels to meet seasonal demand fluctuations.
- Coordinated training programs for new hires, fostering a knowledgeable and cohesive team environment.
- Oversaw compliance with safety regulations, promoting a safe shopping environment for customers and employees.
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
- Improved customer satisfaction through staff training in customer service and product knowledge.
- Maintained proper product levels and inventory controls for merchandise and organized backroom to facilitate effective ordering and stock rotation.
- Mentored new hires during their onboarding process, ensuring they were well-equipped to excel in their roles from day one.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Maximized sales by creating innovative visual merchandising displays and store layouts.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for staff members, providing constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge, and service requirements.
- Oversaw loss prevention efforts, minimizing shrinkage by implementing effective security measures and training staff on proper procedures.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Upheld and communicated store programs and standards to employees for optimal quality, freshness, safety and cleanliness.
- Collaborated with other managers to develop company-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall performance across all locations.
- Organized special events such as seasonal sales promotions to drive foot traffic into the store and increase sales opportunities.
Assistant Site Director
Willy Street Co
MADISON, WI
10.2021 - Current
- Interviewed, hired and trained new workers.
- Direction of the flow of daily operations at the store, including analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards, and setting deadlines
- Collaborate with the Store Director to develop and uphold performance standards for all staff
- Assist with managing resources, including budgets, human capital, efficiency, and capacity
- Schedule staff according to weekly labor budget and quarterly cost of labor targets; arrange for coverage of vacant shifts and fill in as needed
- Ensure a strong management presence in the store at all times and enforce store and Co-op policies and procedures
- Ensure respectful and friendly service to internal and external customers according to established customer service standards for all staff
- Coach staff as needed, document and address any instances requiring corrective action or progressive discipline
- Participate in regular store and product inventories
- Greet and offer assistance to customers
- Treat people fairly, consistently and with respect
- Know product locations in order to assist customers in finding what they need throughout the store
- Abide by all co-op policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and other company documents
- Participate in required training and meetings
- Keep the store orderly and clean
- Set a positive example for employee
Director of Operations
The River Food Pantry
MADISON, WI
08.2018 - 06.2021
- Job overview
- Manage the performance of a hands on team
- Oversee the smooth and efficient daily operation of the warehouse, pantry, kitchen and Mobile lunch Program
- Establish and maintain work schedules; plan for covering absences
- Manage the smooth functioning of weekly food distribution sessions Conduct ongoing inventory management activities to ensure sufficient capacity
- Work with available food resources to maximize food selections available to our clients
- Maintain the food pantry and kitchen in full compliance with all applicable Federal, State and local regulatory safety, and health requirements
- Maintain the cleanliness of the food pantry, kitchen, and warehouse Troubleshoot and resolve operational problems
- Contribute to training, scheduling, assignment and direction of volunteers
- Provide direction to staff regarding operational and procedural issues
- Ensure timely coordination and execution of daily pickups from local wholesalers, grocery stores, schools, food banks, and other locations
- Coordinate the transportation of Huber and diversion volunteers
- Source food and other product from food banks, wholesalers, retailers Oversee and manage the food budget
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives.
- Defined, implemented and revised operational policies and guidelines.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Provided documentation of processes to comply with regulations and company policies.
- Set team and individual KPIs and provided regular, actionable feedback.
- Evaluated performance, adjusted strategies and maintained agile, sustainable operations.
- Monitored budget and utilized operational resources.
- Achieved team goals through formalized training plans, coaching and performance management.
- Managed procurement, inventory and warehouse operations.
- Assessed performance management structures and implemented enhancements to improve frameworks and strengthen results.
- Developed and optimized organizational systems to boost efficiency and keep operations scalable and agile for changing demands.
- Recruited, hired and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
ASSISTANT STORE DIRECTOR
CUB FOODS
Minneapolis, MN
06.2010 - 08.2018
- Monitors and complies with government and company safety and sanitation regulations and wage and hour laws
- Supervised employees and different store departments.
- Responding to customer complaints and comments.
- Conducted inventory analysis to determine optimal stock levels.
- Partnered with the store director to interview, hire, train and develop department managers and team members to build and sustain high in-store performance.
- Reviewed daily financial records and reports and identified deficiencies in need of attention.
- Keep documentation and records accurate and up-to-date with latest data to prevent errors in processing or delivery.
- Liaised with sales, marketing and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives
- Liaised with store manager to set up visually appealing layout for store merchandise.
- Reported problems with employees, products or service to store manager.
- Partnered with store director to interview, hire, train and develop department managers and team members to build and sustain high in-store performance.
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns.
- Worked with store management to implement company safety programs and awareness, reducing workers' compensation costs.
- Organized shift meetings to communicate and resolve issues for night operations.
- Answered product questions and assisted customers in selection and checkout.
- Maintained focus during busy times and delegated tasks to employees to keep business running smoothly.
- Walked through department multiple times each shift to evaluate and correct issues such as cleaning and stock replenishment needs.
- Submitted reports to senior management to aid in business decision-making and planning.
- Implemented daily operating procedures to keep store clean, adequately stocked and well-organized.
- Developed and nurtured lasting relationships with staff through dedicated assistance, issue resolution and active listening.
GROCERY MANAGER
Cub Foods
MADISON, WI
03.2010 - 06.2010
- Kept grocery team operations in strict compliance with workplace standards and food safety requirements to maintain optimal health protection.
- Boosted grocery sales with top-notch merchandising abilities and expertise in implementing effective promotions.
- Established and administered annual budget with controls to prevent overages, minimize burn rate and support sustainability objectives.
- Performed key tasks to promote inviting grocery store appearance.
- Delegated tasks and duties to grocery staff and clearly communicated timeframes for completion.
- Assessed supplier quality to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational performance.
- Reviewed inventory levels and placed orders for products and merchandise for restocking purposes.
- Organized efficient merchandise replenishment strategies to keep shelves stocked and well-organized for customers.
- Engaged customers and provided very high level of service and support, helping find desired products and items.
- Strengthened profits by reducing waste, controlling shrinkage and increasing team efficiency with optimized workflows.
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
ASSISTANT GROCERY MANAGER
Cub Foods
01.2001 - 03.2003
- Kept grocery team operations in strict compliance with workplace standards and food safety requirements to maintain optimal health protection.
- Engaged customers and provided very high level of service and support, helping find desired products and items.
- Boosted grocery sales with top-notch merchandising abilities and expertise in implementing effective promotions.
- Performed key tasks to promote inviting grocery store appearance.
- Strengthened profits by reducing waste, controlling shrinkage and increasing team efficiency with optimized workflows.
- Maintained clean, adequately stocked and organized store by streamlining daily operations and introducing new procedures.
- Marked-down clearance items and relocated merchandise to proper store areas.
- Researched issues to obtain appropriate answers to customer inquiries.
- Examined incoming inventory, merchandised shelves and prevented shrinkage.
NIGHT MANAGER
Cub Foods
MADISON, WI
05.1999 - 01.2001
- Direct grocery stock employees
- Created nightly shift task lists to assign duties to each employee.
- Prepared nightly deposits by accurately counting cash, filling out deposit slips, and securing deposit in vault.
- Restocked inventory on shelves by unpacking backroom boxes and filling empty space on shelves with appropriate items.
- Guided and motivated night team by establishing and communicating responsibilities and duties to each team member.
- Conducted nightly inventory management procedures to track sales and stock levels.
- Secured building for closing by completing run-through of sales floor, turning off electronic systems and turning on alarms.
DAIRY MANAGER/STORE RECEIVER
KOHLS FOODS
MADISON, WI
11.1996 - 05.1999
- Develop plans in accordance with sales plans & labor goals
- Answered questions from customers and discussed new products placed in dairy cases.
- Restocked cases with new merchandise and removed expired items for proper disposal.
- Checked department signage and confirmed proper pricing, making sure sale items accurate.
- Wrote and improved SOPs to maintain consistency across shifts and work areas.
Education
High School Diploma -
Hyde Park Career Academy
Chicago, IL06.1992
Skills
- Policy Development
- Policy Implementation
- Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Staff Training
- Goal Setting
- Critical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Professional Development Planning
- Federal, State and Local Regulations Adherence
- Analytical Thinking
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Business Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Microsoft Office
- Interpersonal Communication
- Operational Budgets Preparation
Accomplishments
- 2019 voted Wisconsin 49 Most Influential Black Leader
- 2020 Earned Honor #MyHeroWI for Work with The River Food Pantry
- 2018-2021 Earned Four Star Charity Rating with The River Food Pantry
- 2021 Voted Best Charitable Organization with The River Food Pantry
Certification
- ServSafe: Food Protection Manager Certification 2020-2025
Timeline
Store Manager
West Marine
05.2023 - Current
Assistant Site Director
Willy Street Co
10.2021 - Current
Director of Operations
The River Food Pantry
08.2018 - 06.2021
ASSISTANT STORE DIRECTOR
CUB FOODS
06.2010 - 08.2018
GROCERY MANAGER
Cub Foods
03.2010 - 06.2010
ASSISTANT GROCERY MANAGER
Cub Foods
01.2001 - 03.2003
NIGHT MANAGER
Cub Foods
05.1999 - 01.2001
DAIRY MANAGER/STORE RECEIVER
KOHLS FOODS
11.1996 - 05.1999
High School Diploma -
Hyde Park Career Academy