Kurt Nelson

• Developed strong customer service and product knowledge skills to the advantage of both the company and its customers
• Hold current Food Service Manager Certificate
• Have strong personal interests in holistic health and wellness , particularly in areas of diet and supplementation.
• Addressed and resolved customer complaints in polite and professional manner,
• Experienced with solutions to a wide range of customer care concerns and not necessarily steering someone toward a purchase
• Operated register/ ECRS software to process payments and collect cash, credit, EBT and Mobile App payments
• Trained new employees by relaying information on company procedures and legal standards such as DSHEA Regulations , and product safety guidelines.
• Assisted with inventory counts and stocking of merchandise.
• Assisted customers in selecting supplements best suited to their needs based on everything from Physician recommendations to word of mouth to the latest online trends then coming to practical common sense decision, keeping in mind budget and customer specific needs such as Dosage diet restrictions, brand preference, taste, texture ,pill size, smell and even capsule color
• Monitored and verified all merchandise was properly priced and labeled.
• Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
• Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
• Frequently inspected production area to verify proper equipment operation, maintained cleaned and fill and troubleshoot nut butter grinders, coffee grinder, and bulk food systems
• Fill , maintain, troubleshoot and repair 30+ bulk food gravity and scoop bins with special regard pest mediation using methods that regard to the eco friendly nature of the store.
• Maintain current and accurate food nutrition labels on all bulk food ins and dispensers storewide
• Maintain accurate and current pricing on bulk food bins as well as in house prepacked bulk foods
• Frequently attend online webinars from manufacturers , to keep updated on latest products and research, particularly as relevant immune health, lifetime health span , cognitive and brain health issues
• Follow current and upcoming trends in Health conscious eating , food based wellness , and sustainable food production issues.

Richards emphasizes customer care and relationships above all else in my time there its proven to be mutually beneficial both in terms of my job satisfaction and knowing that people have been genuinely grateful for not only the products we offer but the next level of help in understanding an ever more confusing environment of specialty foods ,supplements and personal care.

• Worked correctly and safely with range of different materials as required by job order and shop standards.
• Followed written work orders, and accounted for machine time , and material usage.
• Set up and operate high speed metal working machinery , specific to manufacture industrial machine knives and cutting tools
• Accurately read and record machine settings using machinist grade micrometer, caliper and protractor.
• Maintain consistent quality control of machined parts , often to .0001 inch.
• Work in a timely manner , with regard to job deadlines and company guidelines.
• Safely operate industrial machine tools , specific to knife making and sharpening.
• Operate forklift and power hand truck
• Use, store and dispose of industrial chemicals and shop waste according to local HAZMAT requirements
• Maintain clean and safe shop environment, in compliance with OSHA regulations
• worked consistent 50 hour weeks as required by customer orders
• Operated laser engraving equipment
• Responsible for high volume laser engraving and product packaging of machine parts, knives, tools as well as company and military unit awards.
• Worked on projects requiring disassembly, laser engraving and reassembly of firearms and firearm accessories
• Delivered and picked up resharpened industrial paper cutter and skating rink finishing blades to Print Shops , Ice Hockey Arenas Binderies and Newspapers in Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa Clearwater and St Pete customers on a weekly schedule
• Safely drive and navigate company owned delivery van, as well as load and unload the days materials.
• Follow set delivery schedule covering over 20 customer locations which had to be completed within business hours.
• Maintain accurate delivery and pickup records for billing and work order requirements
• Collect and verify payment when necessary .
• Safely drive and navigate company owned delivery van, as well as load and unload the days materials.
• Performed grounds and building maintenance as needed.

I truly enjoyed my time with Florida Knife Co. and loved the experience with such a wide array of operations , unfortunately their business began to decline sharply and my hours were so drastically cut, that I had to take full time work at Richards, where I had been working part time .

• Began as cashier and quickly began training for a vacant Assistant Manager position after showing an affinity for the skills of the job and a passion for all things food related

Became Key Holder within a month of hire and had responsibility for opening and closing duties including:

• Arriving 30 minutes before store opening
• Disarm alarms
• Double check till counts
• Start up electronic registers, scanners and scales
• Set out daily food and coffee samples
• Tend to storefront, outside signs , rugs and shopping carts as needed for opening

Closing duties included:

• Responsibility for nightly register cash and charge reconciliation in the absence of any ECR or accounting software
• Making sure cash drawers were counted correctly and had sufficient change for the following day, in the event additional coins or small bills were needed -make 'change run'.
• Accurately preparing daily deposits for bank drop
• Communicating daily totals to regional manager via Text
• Ensuring the store was clean and ready for opener

Routinely , my job duties included :

• Shared responsibility for inventory control, and stocking and cleaning of over 270 gravity fed and manual scoop bins
• Use best practices to maintain product freshness, avoid cross contamination and pest issues.
• Responsible for stocking packaged and canned inventory as well as supplements and beverages
• Stock and maintain cleanliness of inherently messy areas such as Bulk Honey Dispensers, Nut Butter Grinders , Olive Oil Dispenser and Bulk Spice canisters
• Keep the store clean presentable at all times
• Keep employees mindful of store cleanliness
• Check all applicable inventory for expiration dates
• Receive and check in orders from multiple vendors
• Routinely come up with creative solutions for offloading pallets from the full size delivery truck without a forklift
• Following the sudden departure of the original Store Manager, I was offered the interim position pending the owners decision on the future of the Sarasota location, my duties grew to include :
• Oversight of remaining employees
• Responsibility for all cash counts charge totals and deposits
• Handling customer requests and special orders.
• Resolving customer service issues, product questions, returns general complaints and suggestions
• Handling problematic customers and clients and assisting less experienced employees with expedient customer service
• Monitored inventory shrinkage and spoilage..
• Trained new employees on proper food handling, customer interaction and problem resolution
• Scheduled employee times that were agreeable for everyone
• Report issues to regional management as needed

When the final decision to close the Sarasota location was made I oversaw the subsequent wind down, inventory liquidation and was literally the last one out the door.

I chose not to relocate to a new store in another city and was given a generous severance bonus by the company Vice President.

Assist in operation of 6 color Heidelberg Sheetfed printing Press

• Regarded for Reliability and Availability

I began as an apprentice just out of Highschool, moved through the ranks to become an Assistant Press Operator on a four color Web Press . The Company changed ownership several times and went out of business in 1996

• Most of the skills I learned throughout my apprenticeship apply mainly to Industrial Printing and Production work.
• I was consistently noted for my reliability and dependability and was repeatedly promoted as positions became available.
• Having started in a industrial work environment at an early age, I gained an invaluable traditional work ethic that I bring to every job.