Mandy Kruse
Dubuque,IA
Summary
Experienced and proficient in all aspects of sales operations including: Contract Management, Maintaining a Professional Reputation, Budgeting, Statistical Analysis, Contract Negotiations, Infection Control, Medical Sales and education, and Surgical Assisting.
Experienced with client relationship management, risk assessment, and policy customization. Utilizes in-depth industry knowledge to provide tailored insurance solutions. Track record of building strong client relationships and ensuring client satisfaction.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Licensed Insurance Agent
New York Life Insurance Co
12.2023 - 09.2025
- Calculated quotes and educated potential clients on insurance options.
- Recommended type and amount of coverage based on analysis of customers' circumstances using persuasive sales techniques.
- Leveraged knowledge of company insurance products and services to advise customers on appropriate choices.
- Improved client satisfaction by providing tailored insurance solutions and exceptional customer service.
- Established trust with clients through transparent communication regarding policy costs, coverages, exclusions, limitations, endorsements or riders available upon request.
- Enhanced cross-selling success by identifying complementary products that would further protect clients'' assets or reduce liability exposure.
Senior Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist
Miracle Ear
01.2017 - 10.2023
- Licensed to sell and program hearing instruments in Iowa and Minnesota.
- Established relationships with patients in Sales of Hearing Instruments.
- Perform hearing exams according to the laws of Iowa and Minnesota.
- Ensures that the Company’s professional reputation is maintained.
- Responsible for maintaining all CEU’s to remain Licensed.
- Program hearing instruments using Miracle Ear Harmony I and Harmony II software.
- Perform otoscopic exams and refer to Medical Physician as needed for medical disorders.
- Properly fit hearing instruments for patients.
- Support patients in setting up accessories and apps on telephones to support hearing instruments.
- Perform live Speech mapping on Avant software.
- Review warranties with customers and sell My Essentials Insurance on Hearing Instruments.
- Perform live demonstrations to promote service.
- Tested hearing with complete audiological examinations.
- Educated clients about how to properly use, maintain and store devices.
Endoscopy Support Specialist
Olympus America Inc.
04.2013 - 05.2017
- Responsible to provide enhanced customer Surgical and Endoscopy support for sales and education including:
- Managed and supported territory of Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, and Minnesota for Surgical and Endoscopic education and sales needs.
- Facilitated growth in the service repair business through the promotion of Service Contracts for endoscopes, video electronics and reprocessing equipment.
- Support service contract business by performing pre-contract inspections, performing scope audits and approaching non-contract customers to support the value of service contracts and proper maintenance of Olympus endoscopy equipment.
- Established relationship with Sales Team to support educational needs.
- Developed relationship with customer contacts for staff training on Medical equipment.
- Responsible for training on new Medical equipment delivered and being demoed for purchase.
- Ensures that the Company’s professional reputation is maintained.
- Managed SAP and Metrix computer system for daily paperwork and customer reports.
- Evaluated customer repair trends and ran SAP reports to educate Medical Staff of trends.
- Managed service contracts with key stakeholders to keep costs reduced and contracts renewed.
- Worked hand in hand with sales team to support and help sell products.
- Timely and accurately perform, and report on other MBO related duties to meet all goals set forth and agreed upon with management.
- Scheduled meetings and built relationships with customers on finding cost savings and explore new product alternatives.
- Educated new guidelines for cleaning endoscopes with staff.
- Developed relationships with physicians to troubleshoot problems in the Operating Room and Endoscopy Suites.
- Managed relationship with Hospital and Medical clinics on endoscope and surgical education for staff and physicians.
- Presented customer repair cost utilization analyses reports to review service contract performance and cost consumption versus elapsed time data.
- Supported Olympus University educational needs in all surrounding states.
- Maintained customer rapport with key decision makers (i.e. Bio-med, Nurse Manager, Materials Manager, Physicians, etc.) in support of their endoscopy equipment service requirements and leverage relationships to assist in the growth of Olympus service business.
- Supported educational grants for physicians and educating products and endoscopes.
- Obtained certification to be a Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER).
- Submitted all required field activity documentation, including travel itineraries, field service reports and expense reports timely, accurately and as directed. Updated the service records as required.
Materials Manager
Sheboygan Surgery Center
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Responsible for Purchasing and contract negotiation for the Surgery Center including:
- Develop and continually review and up-date policies and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency and services delivery (Company Policies Manual).
- Establish guidelines for requisitions and inventories.
- Initiate timely POs to support production requirements.
- Research and interact with vendors to ensure that supplies are of acceptable quality, competitively priced, and delivered timely.
- Establish and maintain up-dated lists of alternate vendors.
- Continually evaluate vendors/suppliers and make formal recommendations quarterly.
- Develop, maintain and continually review for improvement a vendor/supplier evaluation system.
- Work closely with Administrative Director to ensure negotiated pricing falls within cost of product thresholds.
- Assists and support departments with all raw material purchasing processes.
- Ensure that all purchased materials are within product specifications and performance requirements.
- Ensure all defective material reports are completed and submitted timely for supplier’s reimbursement.
- Serves as a liaison between the Company and its vendors and maintain long-term productive relationships with suppliers and vendors.
- Ensures that the Company’s professional reputation is maintained.
- Ensure that I am maintaining supply costs below budget on a monthly basis.
- Review and approve all invoices that reflect price discrepancies as identified by the POs immediately resolve any price discrepancy with the supplier and obtain written approvals if modifications are made to supplier’s invoices.
- Keep abreast of economic, industrial and other trends that affect market prices.
- Establish goals, identify priorities, provide direction, give the necessary tools and resources and recognize accomplishments in a timely manner.
- Create a collaborative work environment that encourages participation and debate.
- Drive the pursuit of excellence by consistently and fairly holding all members accountable.
- Results:
- Successfully implemented inventory process for brand new ambulatory surgical center
- Key player in start up and development new surgery center while implementing a streamlined ordering process ensuring efficiency.
- Negotiated contracts with GPO’s and vendors to save significant dollars.
- Implemented custom packs to ensure I maintained low costs to meet budget goals.
- Developed a supply tracking system in our internal HIS system.
- Scheduled meetings and built relationships with vendors on finding cost savings and explore new product alternatives.
- Developed and managed inventory list for ambulatory surgery center’s Advantx System.
Surgical Technician
Sheboygan Surgery Center
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Gathered and set up equipment, tools, and supplies and arrange instruments according to surgeons' preferences or instruction.
- Assisted in successful surgeries by setting up operating rooms with appropriate instruments, supplies, and equipment for each procedure.
- Upheld high standards of patient privacy by following HIPAA guidelines when handling sensitive medical information.
- Improved patient care by assisting surgeons during surgical procedures and maintaining a sterile environment.
- Demonstrated adaptability, working effectively with various surgical teams and specialties, ensuring seamless collaboration.
- Established a reputation for reliability, punctuality, and dedication to providing the highest level of surgical support in all situations.
Surgical Technician
Fond du Lac Surgery Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Responsible for various aspects related to assisting physicians surgical needs.
- Set up the operating surgeon’s sterile table, anticipating what might be needed during the procedure
- Ensure compliance with healthcare laws for the center
- Count surgical instruments before and after the surgery
- Assisting surgeons with surgical procedures
- Ensured proper cleaning and sterilization of instruments in accordance with healthcare guidelines
- Maintain professional relationships with the surgeons, nursing staff and administration
- Promoted teamwork within the surgical team by communicating effectively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other staff members during procedures.
- Contributed to positive patient outcomes by anticipating surgeons'' needs throughout procedures and reacting quickly to changes in situations.
Education
Surgical Technician -
Iowa Lakes Community College
Associate of Arts - Pre-Nursing
Iowa Lakes Community College
Skills
- Insurance sales expertise
- Insurance product expertise
- Client relationship management
- Client account management
- Client service
- Professional networking
Certification
- Licensed Insurance Agent in IA, IL, and WI Dubuque, IA 2023-2025
- Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist, Iowa and Minnesota
Languages
English
Timeline
Licensed Insurance Agent
New York Life Insurance Co
12.2023 - 09.2025
Senior Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist
Miracle Ear
01.2017 - 10.2023
Endoscopy Support Specialist
Olympus America Inc.
04.2013 - 05.2017
Materials Manager
Sheboygan Surgery Center
01.2008 - 01.2013
Surgical Technician
Sheboygan Surgery Center
01.2008 - 01.2013
Surgical Technician
Fond du Lac Surgery Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
Associate of Arts - Pre-Nursing
Iowa Lakes Community College
Surgical Technician -
Iowa Lakes Community College
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