Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Michael E. Stokes

Columbia,USA

Summary

Results-focused leader with over 25 years of wide-ranging experience in planning, directing, and coordinating services and operations, managing resources, developing budgets, and improving organizational revenue. Specialize in leading in all aspects of training to educate staff on company procedures, quality service, and proper merchandising of products. Able to provide outstanding management and supervision in implementing innovative customer service initiatives and new sales processes. Highly focused in supporting complex and deadline-driven operations. Excellent leadership and supervisory skills as well as significant experience in controlling costs with the ability to develop team players. Committed to enhancing processes and operations via training, management, cost reduction, and resolution of issues. Exceptional Interpersonal and Communication Skills – Proficient in promoting confidence as well as building and maintaining relationships while interfacing positively with people from diverse backgrounds. Problem Solving – Proven ability to develop innovative sales and operations management solutions to challenges. Successfully manages relationships for change and improved team performance and efficiency. Work Ethic and Professionalism – Solid professional standards and an excellent record of dependability. Maintains a clear focus on achieving bottom-line results while ensuring maximum customer satisfaction.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work History

Market development representative, / Franchise consultant

Krispy Krunchy Chicken
11.2011 - Current
  • Conducted regular store audits to ensure compliance with brand standards and franchise agreements; identified gaps and collaborated on action plans to improve performance.
  • Delivered onsite post-opening training and certification for Operators and staff using official operations manuals and training materials.
  • Planned and executed successful new store openings and product rollouts; managed project timelines, coordinated with internal teams, and ensured smooth integration.
  • Provided hands-on operational support including food service execution, POS functionality, sanitation protocols, and equipment troubleshooting.
  • Monitored Key Performance Indicators and coached Operators on strategies to improve profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
  • Partnered with Sales and Launch teams to transition stores from opening phase to growth and optimization.
  • Acted as liaison between franchisees and corporate departments to resolve issues related to product quality, vendor support, or operational concerns.
  • Represented the brand at trade shows, assisting in booth setup, engagement, and lead generation.
  • Supported Operators in securing credits for product or equipment issues; ensured quality control standards were upheld.
  • Consistently upheld and enforced company policies, ensuring all practices aligned with the Krispy Krunchy Chicken Handbook

District Manager / Merchandiser

Merchandising Source Inc.
04.2004 - 06.2010
  • Established set times for store resets. Oversaw resets as they were being worked for on-time completion.
  • Duties included: servicing a multi-store territory; building and maintaining relationships with store management at all levels; assembling merchandise products; building, creating, and maintaining displays; setting planograms; conducting store resets; and leading product knowledge classes and demonstrations.
  • Maintained an orderly system for planning, prioritizing, follow-through, and completion of tasks. Reported data/issues to Atlanta office, updated inventory counts, and performed other responsibilities.
  • Inspected damaged merchandise to give credit to the store. Products included: outdoor grills, lawn mowers, and other home and garden items. Reported activities using handheld units and synchronizing.

Warehouse Manager – Inventory Management

Target Distribution Center
05.2002 - 04.2004
  • Coordinated the pulling of products and loading of trucks to be shipped out. Fixed and adjusted locations to match the proper count, checked for out of charities, and determined if product were still good to sell.
  • Took responsibility for stocking and removing products as they came in and out of the warehouse.
  • Supported compliance programs and regulations to drive quality and safety within the distribution center.
  • Built open lines of communication with the team while being a resourceful leader in finding solutions to complex requests or concerns. Led in adhering to guidelines to achieve best possible problem resolution.

Assistant Plant Manager

Machine Design Inc. (The Pecan Factory)
06.1996 - 04.2002
  • Was responsible for the setup of equipment, boxes, and bagging for daily shipping. Led in quality control of the product, including assuring the proper seals on bags and the correct weight in each bag.
  • Supervised the packing of all outgoing boxes, and assisted in troubleshooting when there was a problem with the equipment. Managed inventory on all supplies, including packing materials and ingredients in the caramel corn (incoming and outgoing), and helped in keeping the equipment running smoothly.

Education

High School Diploma -

Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC
06-1992

Skills

  • Data-driven decision making
  • Objection handling
  • Salesforce proficiency
  • Strategic prospecting
  • Cold calling
  • Sales pipeline management

Timeline

Market development representative, / Franchise consultant

Krispy Krunchy Chicken
11.2011 - Current

District Manager / Merchandiser

Merchandising Source Inc.
04.2004 - 06.2010

Warehouse Manager – Inventory Management

Target Distribution Center
05.2002 - 04.2004

Assistant Plant Manager

Machine Design Inc. (The Pecan Factory)
06.1996 - 04.2002

High School Diploma -

Midlands Technical College
Michael E. Stokes