Maria Soto
Lansing,Illinois
Summary
Goal-oriented Operations Director with experience in "start-up" company's. Talents include developing partnerships in U.S. and Mexico, overseeing logistics, managing administrative team to meet and exceed demanding targets for internal and external clients.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operations Director
Global Beverage Team, LLC
01.2013 - 12.2024
- Managed the daily operations of the Chicago-based Importer, focusing on maintaining high production standards and efficient practices.
- Created and maintained relationships with international suppliers, ensuring a continuous and smooth supply of raw material.
- Supervised and optimized logistics operations, ensuring timely distribution of product and minimizing costs.
- Maintained and managed relationships with distillery personnel, ensuring the final product was produced, packaged and shipments were to importing standards.
- Collaborated with distilleries to receive all required customs documentation ensuring border-crossing in a timely manner.
- Collaborated with the sales and finance team to forecast demand and ensured product availability in the U.S. warehouses.
- Streamlined vendor management processes, negotiating contracts that reduced company costs.
- Assisted with financial management tasks, including budgeting, and accounts payable/receivable.
- Ensured adherence to state, federal, and industry regulations related to compliance.
- Submission of price postings to state agencies, collaborating with the accounting team to ensure current pricing was accurately reflected.
- Managed TTB – CBMA claims on a quarterly basis increasing our cash-flow.
- Managed all aspects of corporate events, including conventions to distillery's, and client appreciation dinners, ensuring alignment with company branding and objectives.
- Managed and lead the operational team, offering guidance, training, and mentorship.
Office Manager
GModelo USA, LLC
10.2010 - 12.2013
- Managed and maintained office operations and procedures, ensuring efficiency and compliance with established policies and regulations.
- Primary liaison with the Office of the Building.
- Oversaw the management of staff, including recruitment and onboard training.
- Handled and coordinated administrative duties, such as ordering supplies and record keeping.
- Contract negotiation with vendors minimizing costs for the company.
- Assisted with financial management tasks, including budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, and payroll.
- Provided administrative support to level C executives by managing calendars, scheduling domestic and international travel and managing T/E reporting.
- Planned and executed corporate events for large groups.
Office Manager
Prarie State Admin. Services, Inc.
11.2000 - 08.2009
- Managed two downtown offices with 60 plus employees by providing turn-key operations.
- Primary liaison with the Office of the Building and vendors.
- Oversaw all T/E reporting for company.
- Supervised 3 direct reports responsible for all administrative support to underwriting team.
- Reduced customer complaints by identifying and introducing a phone monitoring system for the underwriting team.
- Oversaw staff training on an integrated underwriting system that allowed P.S.A.S.I. to transition into a paperless company.
- Coordinated and managed off-site storage with third-party company.
- Maintained quality control practices related to all marketing material and our clients website.
Exectuve Assisant
Aon Risk Services of Illinois
01.2000 - 11.2000
- Assisted C.E.O. of Latin America in all aspects of business operations.
- Greeted guests in with friendliness and professionalism.
- Answered incoming phone calls to process requests, transfer calls, or relay messages to appropriate personnel.
- Scheduled international and domestic travel for executive and country managers.
- Managed, processed T/E reporting within company standards.
- Worked closely with management to provide effective assistance for specific aspects of business operations.
Education
Business Administration
Robert Morris College
Chicago, ILSkills
- Organizational development
- Managerial skills
- Problem-solving
- Industry expertize
- Interpersonal skills
- Logistics management
Certification
Diploma Professionalization in Tequila Culture
SHRM Cert.
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Software
Microsoft Office
SAP
Concur
Timeline
Operations Director
Global Beverage Team, LLC
01.2013 - 12.2024
Office Manager
GModelo USA, LLC
10.2010 - 12.2013
Office Manager
Prarie State Admin. Services, Inc.
11.2000 - 08.2009
Exectuve Assisant
Aon Risk Services of Illinois
01.2000 - 11.2000
Business Administration
Robert Morris College
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