Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline

Louis Gardner

Sam Marcos,California (CA)

Summary

Results-oriented professional with strong business background. Skilled in overseeing financial, operational, marketing and customer service areas. Proven abilities in launching and growing successful businesses. Successful Company Owner with 23 years in Food Distribution industry. Built horizontal and vertical connections to improve professional relationships with vendors and clients. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Route Sales Delivery Driver

Meza Distributing, Inc.
06.2021 - Current
  • Experience running five different Flowers Baking Company routes for Independent Operator John Meza.
  • Trained new hires and provided on-going training of experienced Bread Route Delivery Drivers.
  • Planned daily routes to maximize customer satisfaction, on-time inventory availability of product and determine route efficiency.
  • Received, counted and inspected product. Documented damaged, shorted and transfer of products.
  • Sold Flowers Baking Company promotions, including bread and Tasty Kake selections, to customer decision makers to maximize sales and increase product visibility.
  • Inspected and loaded delivery trucks. Safely delivered, merchandised and removed stale product.
  • Served both independent grocers and Albertsons, Camp Pendleton Commissary, Costco, Ralphs, Smart and Final, Stater Brothers and Vons, as well as Wendy's and Chick Fil A restaurants.
  • Utilized hand-held computer and printer to accurately process and record sales, stales and credits and provide customers with hard copies of invoices and credits.

Independent Operator

JM Distributing, Inc.
09.2019 - 05.2021
  • Independent Operator in San Diego County.
  • Recruited, hired, trained and managed staff to cultivate productive and efficient workforce.
  • Planned daily routes to maximize customer satisfaction, on-time inventory availability of product and determine route efficiency.
  • Received, counted and inspected product. Documented purchases.

Company Owner

Hardshell Lobster & Seafood Company, Inc.
06.1996 - 07.2019
  • Oversaw daily business operations and financial decisions to drive profitability and growth.
  • Average Annual Sales growth of 120%.
  • Developed long-term relationships with key clients, vendors and service providers.
  • Resolved customer service issues with timely and professional resolutions.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors and service providers to secure favorable terms of service.
  • Recruited, hired, trained, managed and motivated staff to cultivate productive and efficient workforce.
  • Created in-depth training manual for all employees.
  • Acquired over 300 Albertons, Ralphs, Vons/Pavilions, Stater Brothers locations throughout Southern California.
  • Built loyal account base and long-term business relationships with corporate and independent accounts.
  • Managed 16 employees by supervising daily tasks.
  • Developed comprehensive marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and grow the customer base.
  • Monitored and assessed industry trends, competitors and customer feedback to make informed decisions.
  • Forecasted and managed budgets to boost cost-effectiveness and profitability.
  • Developed FDA-approved food safety HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Plan).

Route Sales Representative

Bridgford Foods
07.1992 - 04.1996
  • Maintained positive relationships with customers using good communication and follow-through abilities.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of products and services to address customer inquiries
  • Managed product transitions from warehouse to customer site, loading, and unloading in alignment with specifications.
  • Analyzed sales and customer data to identify buying trends and offer recommendations.

Division Training Manager

Southland Corporation / 7-Eleven Food Stores
03.1988 - 07.1992
  • Evaluated success of training programs and recommended improvements to upper management to enhance effectiveness.
  • Trained new Franchisees on overall operations of a 7-Eleven Food store.
  • Trained corporate Store Managers, Assistant Store Managers and key personnel on operations, customer service and food safety.
  • Communicated all learning and performance objectives, schedules, and training assessments to upper management.
  • Reviewed and edited all training materials for accuracy and company policy compliance.
  • Analyzed effectiveness of training programs at all levels and recommended updates.
  • Researched and obtained relevant course materials to achieve training objectives.

Education

No Degree - Business Administration And Management

San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
  • Dean's List Fall & Spring 1983
  • Dean's List Fall & Spring 1984
  • Dean's List Fall & Spring 1985

General Education/Transfer -

Southwestern College, Chula Vista, CA
  • Dean's List Spring 1980
  • Dean's List Fall & Spring 1981
  • Dean's List Fall & Spring 1982

Skills

  • Time Management and Prioritization
  • Business Forecasting, Development and Growth
  • Policy and Procedure Implementation
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Recruiting, Staffing and Training
  • Employee Motivation
  • Personnel Management
  • Partnership Development
  • Team Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Market Research
  • Marketing
  • Profit and Loss
  • Inventory Control

Certification

  • FDA HACCP Certification 1997

Timeline

Route Sales Delivery Driver - Meza Distributing, Inc.
06.2021 - Current
Independent Operator - JM Distributing, Inc.
09.2019 - 05.2021
Company Owner - Hardshell Lobster & Seafood Company, Inc.
06.1996 - 07.2019
Route Sales Representative - Bridgford Foods
07.1992 - 04.1996
Division Training Manager - Southland Corporation / 7-Eleven Food Stores
03.1988 - 07.1992
San Diego State University - No Degree, Business Administration And Management
Southwestern College - General Education/Transfer,
Louis Gardner