Samantha Katzenstein

Optimizing daily store operations, driving team performance, and elevating the customer experience. Expert in real-time labor deployment, strict inventory controls, and maintaining high product quality standards in fast-paced environments.

• Team Leadership & Floor Management Directed daily shift operations and partner deployment for high-volume dayparts, strategically positioning team members to optimize speed of service and accuracy. Coached and mentored employees on standard beverage routines, quality control, and customer service execution, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. Managed shift scheduling and mandated break rotations in real time, maintaining seamless operational flow and labor efficiency during peak hours. Managed a team of 10 partners per shift.
• Inventory & Operational Excellence Oversaw inventory management and daily par adjustments, executing precise food and product pulls to minimize waste while ensuring 100% product availability. Conducted routine inventory audits and high-value counts (dairy, espresso, merchandise), keeping detailed logs to maintain stock accuracy and control food costs. Enforced strict health, sanitation, and food safety standards, ensuring the facility consistently met or exceeded corporate and local regulatory guidelines.
• Financial & Store Security Accountability Held full keyholder responsibility for secure store opening, managing alarm systems and physical security protocols. Managed daily cash operations, including safe counts, register audits, drop-box verification, and accurate preparation of bank deposits. Served as a liaison to store leadership, reporting on shift performance, inventory discrepancies, and partner development to support overarching business goals.

Care, Custody, & Security.

• Maintained the direct care, custody, and accountability of up to 150 incarcerated individuals within housing units, work areas, and facility grounds. Enforced strict adherence to TDCJ institutional rules, state regulations, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain facility discipline and order. Conducted rigorous security counts and accurately logged inmate movement entering or leaving facility buildings. Monitored designated perimeters, controlled high-security locking mechanisms, and utilized visual surveillance systems to identify and mitigate potential security threats.

• Search Operations & Contraband Control

Executed thorough, routine, and tactical searches of cells, dormitories, and common areas to detect and seize contraband, ensuring a weapon- and drug-free environment. Performed precise "pat" and "strip" searches in compliance with state protocols and institutional safety guidelines. Maintained a strict chain of custody for all seized unauthorized items and detailed evidence for disciplinary hearings.

• Crisis Management & De-escalation

Utilized advanced verbal de-escalation tactics to defuse volatile situations, manage inmate behavioral disruptions, and prevent physical altercations. Responded rapidly to high-stress emergency situations, including medical crises, physical altercations, and facility breaches, executing defensive tactics and basic first aid/CPR as needed.

Managed the safe restraint and isolation of assaultive or high-risk individuals while prioritizing the safety of staff, visitors, and inmates.

• Supervision & Transport

Directly supervised inmate work groups across technical, industrial, and agricultural operations (e.g., laundry, food service, facility maintenance). Coordinated and executed the secure transport of high-risk individuals to external medical appointments, court appearances, and alternate regional facilities.

• Documentation & Compliance

Authored comprehensive, legally compliant incident reports, daily logs, and disciplinary forms detailing behavioral infractions and security checks. Reviewed and applied safety-critical data from inmate records to manage specialized medical, behavioral, or high-risk security classifications properly.

I handle incoming inquiries from individuals impacted by natural disasters, guide them through the assistance process, and directly review, verify, and validate the legal and financial documents they upload to support their claims.

• Core Duties & Responsibilities

Front-Line Intake & Support: Answer high-volume inbound calls or web inquiries from individuals and community members affected by recent emergencies. Listen attentively to assess their immediate needs (shelter, food, financial aid).

• Document Verification & Validation: Review submitted applicant documentation—such as proofs of identity, property ownership, occupancy, insurance policies, and repair receipts—to verify authenticity and completeness.

• Eligibility & Compliance Tracking: Compare applicant files against established FEMA policies and federal regulations to validate program eligibility, ensuring accurate file setup and preventing data errors or fraud.

• Database Management: Utilize proprietary federal database systems to input interaction notes, update claim statuses, log uploaded documents, and reconcile conflicting or duplicate records.

• Script & Policy Adherence: Follow pre-scripted guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) verbatim when delivering complex claims data, ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act and safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

• Resource Referral: Direct survivors to appropriate cross-functional local, state, or federal resources, or escalate complex, high-stress case anomalies to team supervisors.

• Sales Leadership: Drove top-line sales and brand metrics by coaching associates on team selling, zoning, and delivering highly personalized customer experiences.
• Brand & Product Expertise: Managed product education, promotional events, and new fragrance/beauty launches to increase brand awareness and customer loyalty.
• Visual Merchandising: Executed floor sets mapping, maintained high-end visual standards, and ensured proper product placement to maximize sales.
• Team Development: Conducted associate observations, provided real-time coaching, and supported onboarding to develop top-performing sales teams.
• Operations & Profitability: Monitored business reports, managed labor hours to fit store needs, and executed inventory and shipment processing