Mellisa Thomas
Fort Benning,GA
Summary
Customer-focused Retail Sales professional with solid understanding of retail dynamics, marketing and customer service. Offering 25 + years of experience providing quality product recommendations and solutions to meet customer needs and exceed expectations. Demonstrated record of exceeding revenue targets by leveraging communication skills and sales expertise.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Associate
AAFES
Fort Benning, GA
06.2019 - Current
- Retained product, service and company policy knowledge to serve as resource for both coworkers and customers.
- Answered incoming telephone calls to provide information about products, services, store hours, policies and promotions.
- Maintained knowledge of current promotions, exchange guidelines, payment policies and security practices.
- Assisted customers by finding needed Sporting Good items and checking inventory for items at other locations.
- Built and maintained effective relationships with peers and upper management to drive team success toward common sales, service and operational goals.
- Sold various products by explaining unique features and educating customers on proper application.
- Performed floor moves, merchandising, display maintenance and housekeeping to keep sales areas well-stocked, organized and current.
- Stocked shelves and supplies and organized displays to focus customer attention on specific items.
- Observed customer behaviors to identify security threats and escalate concerns to supervisors.
- Unboxed new merchandise and restocked shelves in appealing and organized arrangements to promote items.
Owner
Rainy Day Customs
Fort Benning, GA
03.2018 - Current
- Developed and implemented promotional strategies to drive business success and maintain budgetary guidelines.
- Oversaw all aspects of project execution, including progress of each phase, quality of workmanship and team performance to drive on-time completion of deliverables.
- Set and administered annual operating budget, consistently maintaining controls and preventing overages.
- Led startup and opening of Essential Oil business and provided business development, creation of operational procedures and workflow planning.
- Monitored market conditions to set accurate pricing structures and take advantage of emerging trends.
- Managed over 20 or more customer inquiries per day by answering questions on available stock and product performance.
- Set, updated and enforced policies to maintain consistency and quality at all levels.
- Set up and operated production equipment according to daily work orders and safety procedures.
- Inspected finished products for quality and adherence to customer specifications.
- Completed product assembly according to standardized procedures.
- Built and packaged products to complete daily work orders.
- Improved customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Performed site evaluations, customer surveys and team audits.
Owner/Customer Service Representative
Affirmative Action Solutions
Fort Benning, GA
03.2018 - Current
- Established, enforced and updated policies keeping business agile and responsive to changing market conditions.
- Set and administered annual operating budget, consistently maintaining controls and preventing overages.
- Collaborated with staff to maximize customer satisfaction, streamline procedures and improve bottom-line profitability.
- Directed hiring and training of new department managers to drive organizational improvements.
- Led startup and opening of Customer Service business and provided business development, creation of operational procedures and workflow planning.
- Supervised performance of 75 workers, with goals of improving productivity, efficiency and cost savings.
- Set, updated and enforced policies to maintain consistency and quality at all levels.
- Qualified competitive subcontractor bids to determine capability and resources to perform bid work.
- Diminished staff turnover and boosted morale by hiring effective team players and initiating new training and scheduling practices.
- Identified client business and operational needs and introduced services to provide solutions.
Assistant Manager
Dollar General
Gainesville, MI
01.2017 - 06.2018
- Enforced company policies and procedures to strengthen operational standards across departments.
- Coached and mentored employees by delivering training, guidance and performance monitoring.
- Provided leadership and direction for employees, supervising activities to drive productivity and efficiency.
- Planned and prepared workflow schedules, delegating tasks for a 10 member team.
- Reviewed sales reports to enhance sales performance and improve inventory management accuracy.
- Evaluated employee performance and developed improvement plans.
- Collaborated with store manager to develop strategies for achieving sales and profit goals.
- Delegated daily tasks to team members to optimize team productivity.
- Conducted job interviews, led employee performance evaluations with constructive feedback and rewarded top sales performers to attract and retain top-quality personnel.
- Maintained positive work ethic and commitment to providing excellent service to improve operations efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Initiated inventory control measures to manage and replenish stock, maintain costs and meet customer demands while monitoring clothing, accessory and shoe levels.
School Bus Driver
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, NC
08.2001 - 08.2015
- Operated navigation equipment and two-way radio while remaining focused on safety and efficiency.
- Obeyed all DOT rules and regulations in addition to local laws and stipulations.
- Performed all duties with personable communication and professionalism including bus operation and passenger interaction.
- Assisted disabled passengers in boarding and exiting bus.
- Reconfigured routes to accommodate for added or removed stops on schedule.
- Adhered to company determined schedules and routes to ensure timely arrivals and departures.
- Verified all permission slips for students to ride home with friends.
- Earned reputation for good attendance and hard work.
- Attended departmental meetings, providing feedback to enhance future performance.
Cafeteria Manager
Cumberland County Child Nutrition
Fayetteville, NC
08.2001 - 08.2015
- Ordered food and supplies after planning each month's upcoming menu, stocking all needed items ahead of time.
- Pitched in to help cafeteria employees with various tasks, including food preparation and serving.
- Oversaw food preparation for 1500 person school cafeteria business, verifying procedural compliance with company guidelines.
- Assisted Director by coaching and training new employees.
- Sought out and implemented methods to improve service and team performance and boost business sustainability.
- Cleaned and inspected food preparation areas for safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
- Trained employees on correct cooking techniques, safety standards and performance strategies.
- Completed regular line checks to maximize quality assurance.
- Kept kitchen clean, neat and sanitized by implementing surface and equipment schedules and standards.
- Kept food storage and preparation equipment in good working order to maximize safety and cost-efficiency of operations.
- Supervised staff preparing and serving 1500 meals per day.
- Interviewed, hired, and supervised back of house staff.
- Controlled portion sizes and garnishing for optimal cost controls.
Head Receptionist
Charlotte Garden Inn
Charlotte, NC
08.2004 - 03.2008
- Prepared schedules, work assignments and constructed employee compensation packages.
- Handled diverse needs for clients in-person, by phone or through email.
- Displayed professional standards at reception desk to impress visitors.
- Obtained and processed payments from clients for products and services.
- Welcomed visitors and customers by greeting and answering or directing inquiries.
- Organized and scheduled office events, meetings, and conferences, including logistics and attendee management.
- Supported office security by following safety procedures and controlling access via reception desk.
- Organized files and spreadsheets to simplify staff access or retrieval.
- Maintained office supply inventory and placed orders to meet demand.
Owner
Tiny Tots Daycare
Nashville, TN
03.1999 - 05.2001
- Led startup and opening of Daycare business and provided business development, creation of operational procedures and workflow planning.
- Enhanced operational performance by developing effective business development strategies, systems and procedures.
- Collaborated with staff to maximize customer satisfaction, streamline procedures and improve bottom-line profitability.
- Implemented site safety programs in accordance with contract requirements and applicable regulations.
- Leveraged human resources skills to identify and recruit optimal candidates, coordinate training and oversee ongoing performance.
- Assessed business systems and processes, identifying areas for improvement to support future growth.
- Supervised performance of 4 workers, with goals of improving productivity, efficiency and cost savings.
- Hired and mentored core start-up team, working to outline initial company policies and procedures.
Secretary
Putnam County Recreation Center
Eatonton, MI
08.1994 - 02.1999
- Planned and executed corporate meetings, lunches and special events for groups of [Number]+ employees.
- Kept reception area clean and organized to offer positive first impression to every visitor.
- Kept executives up to date on changing business information by documenting meetings, tracking documentation and collecting team data.
- Received and routed incoming calls and correspondence to promote timely communication.
- Scheduled conferences and associated travel arrangements, including hotel, airfare and ground transportation.
- Created and maintained spreadsheets and developed administrative and logistical reports.
- Maintained office safety by screening visitors, updating logs and issuing temporary passes.
- Met incoming customers with professional approach and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Produced and distributed team newsletters, email updates and other forms of communication.
- Managed and anticipated clerical needs of company employees, including copying, faxing and file management.
- Drafted and corrected professional business letters, internal memoranda and less formal email communication.
- Established clear and consistent administrative procedures to minimize errors and avoidable delays.
- Kept office equipment functional and supplies well-stocked to promote efficient operations.
Packer
Mobil Chemical
Covington, MI
01.1992 - 08.1994
- Operated hand trucks, pallet jacks and forklifts to move materials.
- Marked and labeled containers with accurate shipping information to prevent delays.
- Reviewed packing slips and other documentation to properly box requested items for shipment.
- Moved packages using hand tools and automatic and semi-automatic equipment to prepare for shipment.
- Inspected orders for accuracy by carefully reviewing containers, products, packaging and labeling.
- Promoted workplace safety and production efficiency by keeping workspace clean, organized and free of hazards.
- Resolved equipment issues and malfunctions by troubleshooting to find causes of problems and complete mechanical repairs.
- Inspected incoming materials and outgoing shipments to maintain effective quality assurance standards, protecting both customer and company interests.
Cashier
Canton Drug
Canton, GA
05.1984 - 11.1985
- Processed returned items in accordance with store policy.
- Read weekly sales inserts and monitored price changes.
- Provided assistance with purchases, locating items and signing up for rewards programs.
- Helped customers find specific products, answering questions and offering advice.
- Processed all sales transactions accurately and promptly to prevent long customer wait times.
- Trained new employees in cashiering procedures, offering assistance in resolving [Type] issues.
- Observed company return policy when processing refunds, including inspecting merchandise for wear or damage.
- Completed daily recovery tasks to keep areas clean and neat for maximum efficiency.
Secretary
Canton Credit Bureau
Canton, MI
05.1984 - 11.1985
- Maintained office supplies by checking stocks and placing orders.
- Kept reception area clean and organized to offer positive first impression to every visitor.
- Responded to telephone inquiries from clients and businesses and delivered information to inform and educate callers.
- Received and routed incoming calls and correspondence to promote timely communication.
- Created and maintained spreadsheets and developed administrative and logistical reports.
- Maintained office safety by screening visitors, updating logs and issuing temporary passes.
- Assisted with administrative tasks, including filing, answering phones and credit reporting.
- Managed and anticipated clerical needs of company employees, including copying, faxing and file management.
Head Cashier
Burger Chief
Canton, GA
08.1983 - 05.1984
- Inventoried stock and placed new orders to keep supplies within optimal levels for expected demands.
- Provided assistance with purchases, locating items and signing up for rewards programs.
- Developed training and mentoring procedures to keep team member performance strong and optimized for store needs.
- Trained and mentored new cashiers to maximize performance with skilled, efficient and knowledgeable team members.
- Kept store operations efficient and tasks current by carrying out daily store opening, closing and shift change actions in full.
- Managed cashier shifts and breaks.
Education
People & Business Leadership Essentials
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE03-2024
MBA - Accounting And Business Management
Stratford University
Falls Church, VA06.1990
High School Diploma -
Cherokee High School
Canton, GA05.1984
Skills
- Cash handling accuracy
- Retail loss prevention
- Merchandising knowledge
- Money handling
- Retail merchandising expertise
- Listening skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Customer- and service-oriented
- Inventory Management
- Accurate money handling
- Written and oral communication skills
- Team player mentality
- Outgoing personality
- Customer Service
- Results oriented
- Cash register operation
- Reliable and punctual
Timeline
Sales Associate
AAFES
06.2019 - Current
Owner
Rainy Day Customs
03.2018 - Current
Owner/Customer Service Representative
Affirmative Action Solutions
03.2018 - Current
Assistant Manager
Dollar General
01.2017 - 06.2018
Head Receptionist
Charlotte Garden Inn
08.2004 - 03.2008
School Bus Driver
Cumberland County Schools
08.2001 - 08.2015
Cafeteria Manager
Cumberland County Child Nutrition
08.2001 - 08.2015
Owner
Tiny Tots Daycare
03.1999 - 05.2001
Secretary
Putnam County Recreation Center
08.1994 - 02.1999
Packer
Mobil Chemical
01.1992 - 08.1994
Cashier
Canton Drug
05.1984 - 11.1985
Secretary
Canton Credit Bureau
05.1984 - 11.1985
Head Cashier
Burger Chief
08.1983 - 05.1984
People & Business Leadership Essentials
Bellevue University
MBA - Accounting And Business Management
Stratford University
High School Diploma -
Cherokee High School