MICHAEL DENNISTON
Bristol,Tennessee
Summary
Operations and inventory leader with progressive experience across HSN fulfilment operations in Piney Flats, including inventory control, outbound operations, frontline leadership, and process improvement. Proven ability to support inventory accuracy, operational compliance, team development, and cross-functional collaboration in fast-paced distribution environments. Recognized for improving execution, strengthening process discipline, and leading teams to deliver safe, efficient, and consistent operational performance.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Manager - Outbound
HSN
Piney Flats, TN
08.2025 - Current
- Lead daily outbound operations in a high-volume fulfilment environment, ensuring efficient workflow, labor alignment, and consistent team performance.
- Evaluate schedules, order flow, and forecasts to plan staffing and operational execution against service and productivity targets.
- Drove outbound productivity performance on shift 2B, achieving a 60.68 UPH for the month of August 2026 against a budget of 57.8 UPH.
- Led 2B shift performance to 57.83 UPH YTD, surpassing the raised annual budget target of 57.4 UPH.
- Enforce company policies, safety standards, and operational procedures to maintain a safe, compliant, and high-performing work environment.
- Analyze workflow and operating performance to identify improvement opportunities and remove inefficiencies.
- Supervise frontline employees and support accountability for productivity, quality, and process adherence.
- Conduct regular team communication and performance discussions focused on objectives, metrics, and continuous improvement.
Team Lead
HSN
Piney Flats, TN
09.2024 - 08.2025
- Conducted regular one-on-one coaching sessions with team members to foster professional and personal growth.
- Provided leadership and guidance to team members including actively developing a Tier 2 MHE into a competent backup team lead. The Tier 2 team member's main goal for the year was further growth and development within the department. These actions have allowed him to take more ownership within the department and lead his own projects on the dock while providing the department with a serviceable backup team lead.
- Monitored team performance against targets, taking corrective action where necessary guiding 1B from a 14.9 UPH in January 2025 to a 16.88 UPH in June 2025. We have reached our budgeted goal every month of 2025 thus far.
- Led a JMOD location relabeling project to increase JMOD efficiency. Sequenced and relabeled an entire JMOD aisle to replace worn out barcode labels allowing team members to work quicker and with increased accuracy.
- Identified opportunities for process improvements, implementing changes when required. Developed a dock re-organization project with a lead from 1A to decrease pinch points and provide increased equipment resources to other areas of the department without added expense.
Inventory Control Analyst
HSN
Piney Flats, Tennessee
09.2022 - 09.2024
- Executed cycle counts and inventory verification activities to maintain accurate system inventory and support operational integrity.
- Prepared detailed inventory and shipment reports to support management review, reporting, accounting, and recordkeeping requirements.
- Investigated inventory discrepancies and partnered with cross-functional teams to identify causes and reduce recurring errors.
- Collaborated with operational partners to improve processes related to excess inventory and inventory accuracy.
- Supported disciplined inventory control practices through accurate documentation, analysis, and follow-up.
Aging Order Specialist, Returns
HSN
Piney Flats, Tennessee
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Focused on RTS, As-Is, audit transfers, and bulk processes.
- Worked closely with team leads to close any team performance gaps throughout the shift.
- Supported process compliance and timely execution across return-related inventory movements.
Insurance Agent
Aflac
Tri Cities, Tennessee
05.2020 - 09.2021
Sales Manager
Jeff Smith Volkswagen
Warner Robins, Georgia
03.2017 - 01.2018
Sales Manager
Five Star Toyota of Milledgeville
Milledgeville, Georgia
11.2016 - 03.2017
Business Development Manager
Five Star Toyota of Milledgeville
Milledgeville, Georgia
06.2015 - 10.2016
Midshipman
United States Navy
Blacksburg, Virginia
12.2010 - 04.2012
- Responsible as a Squad Leader for mentoring four to five of my peers in their physical, academic, and leadership skills as well as providing quarterly evaluations based on performance.
- Responsible for instilling and following the proper chain of command among midshipman and fellow USN/Marine Corps personnel on campus and in the field.
- Train with various USN/Marine Corps personnel to develop all skills required of a Naval Officer, both physical and mental.
- Two training deployments, one with USS Porter DDG 78 guided missile Destroyer and one with the USS Philadelphia SSN-690 attack submarine.
Education
Engineering -
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA, USSkills
Distribution Operations
- Inventory Control
- Inventory Accuracy
- Cycle Counting & Reconciliation
- Quality Assurance
- Process Improvement
- Root Cause Analysis
- Operational Compliance
- Audit Support
- Coaching & Development
- Performance Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Staffing & Resource Planning
- KPI Monitoring
- Resource Allocation
Timeline
Area Manager - Outbound
HSN
08.2025 - Current
Team Lead
HSN
09.2024 - 08.2025
Inventory Control Analyst
HSN
09.2022 - 09.2024
Aging Order Specialist, Returns
HSN
09.2021 - 09.2022
Insurance Agent
Aflac
05.2020 - 09.2021
Sales Manager
Jeff Smith Volkswagen
03.2017 - 01.2018
Sales Manager
Five Star Toyota of Milledgeville
11.2016 - 03.2017
Business Development Manager
Five Star Toyota of Milledgeville
06.2015 - 10.2016
Midshipman
United States Navy
12.2010 - 04.2012
Engineering -
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University