SHAWN NELSON
Homer,MI
You miss 100% of the shots you never take.
Wayne Gretzky
Summary
Results-driven Operations Manager with 20+ years of progressive leadership experience spanning multi-site operations, P&L management, team development, and process optimization. Proven track record delivering measurable outcomes: 30% efficiency gains, 25% cost reductions, 90% staff retention improvement, and consistent revenue growth across diverse industries including financial services, energy, and retail operations. Master of Science in Business Management paired with doctoral-level study in Organizational Leadership. Seeking to leverage executive-caliber operational expertise with a forward-thinking organization in the Battle Creek / Calhoun County region.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
Brumit Restaurant Group
05.2025 - Current
- Directed full P&L accountability for high-volume operations, aligning resource allocation with financial targets and organizational objectives.
- Spearheaded cost-saving initiatives reducing overhead without compromising quality or customer service standards.
- Developed and executed strategic growth plans resulting in 8% sales performance improvement through effective sales strategies and product knowledge programs.
- Coached and mentored personnel on management principles, industry practices, and technology systems to drive operational excellence.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting to track progress against organizational KPIs.
- Directed operational strategies to enhance overall restaurant efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Implemented staff training programs to improve service quality and employee performance.
Operations Manager
Waffle House Inc.
01.2021 - 04.2025
- Increased service efficiency 30% in 90 days by standardizing workflows and implementing targeted training programs.
- Grew staff retention by 90% over tenure through structured onboarding, leadership development, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Reduced operations budget by nearly 25% within 120 days by identifying and eliminating unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
- Cut food cost from 34% to 27% within 90 days through inventory control improvements and optimized supply chain operations.
- Mentored approximately 20 team leads and managers, instilling workforce engagement and customer-focused culture.
- Developed scheduling systems to ensure optimal staffing coverage during peak hours, maximizing labor efficiency.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify service improvement opportunities and implemented targeted operational changes.
General Manager
Enmarket
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Oversaw $1M+ annual revenue operations with full accountability for P&L, compliance, staffing, and service delivery.
- Improved store performance through streamlined labor scheduling, enhanced vendor partnerships, and optimized inventory control.
- Executed dynamic pricing strategies including competitive analysis and real-time market adjustments.
- Built and led a results-driven team, achieving performance goals through proactive leadership and coaching.
Area Sales Manager
Kurresence
08.2019 - 2020
- Opened four retail locations across NC and TX, hiring and training all staff from the ground up.
- Drove 28% revenue increase in 6 months by optimizing sales strategies and staff performance.
- Designed hands-on training programs resulting in 20% sales lift within 90 days.
- Strengthened operational oversight using POS analytics and real-time inventory tracking across multiple locations.
Co-Owner / Retail Operations Manager
Artisan Vapor & CBD Burlington
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Directed the opening, marketing, and management of 2 new store locations in VT and TX.
- Increased repeat customer traffic 70% in 3 months through personalized service and loyalty engagement initiatives.
- Boosted positive customer reviews by 35% in 6 months via a feedback-driven service improvement process.
- Implemented store-level marketing strategies including social media campaigns aligned with sales targets.
Vice President of Operations
NRG Home Solar
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Directed operations across multiple solar project installations, integrating finance, logistics, and customer service functions.
- Managed 3 cross-functional teams and provided executive-level reporting on project performance and financial metrics.
- Reduced project completion times by 15% through cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel; established key internal functions and defined scope of roles for new organization.
- Identified and qualified customer needs; negotiated and closed profitable projects with a 90% success rate.
Senior Vice President of Lending
Gulf Credit Union
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Streamlined loan operations and enhanced compliance standards, driving branch efficiency; grew consumer lending 34%, mortgage lending 10%, and business lending 8% within 6 months.
- Increased ancillary revenue 80% in 6 months by launching new lending products and cross-selling initiatives.
- Improved team productivity 20% and customer satisfaction 25% through process redesign and staff development initiatives.
- Directed 5 cross-functional teams to implement new financial products and services while overseeing regulatory compliance.
- Collaborated with executive leadership on long-term strategic planning for sustainable organizational growth.
Assistant Vice President
Gesa Credit Union
01.2010 - 01.2010
- Established student loan program that expanded borrower access by 50% within 6 months.
- Reduced decision turnaround times to within same-business-day, significantly improving member satisfaction and loyalty.
- Led 4 cross-functional teams to streamline operations and improve service delivery efficiency.
- Established KPIs to monitor strategic initiative success and drive continuous operational improvement.
Education
Doctor of Education - Higher Education Leadership
09-2028
In Progress
Master of Arts - International Relations
12-2026
Expected
Ph.D. - Business Management & Organizational Leadership (ABD)
01-2012
Master of Science - Business Management
01-2008
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
01-2006
Skills
- Multi-Site Operations Management
- P&L Accountability & Budget Control
- Team Building & Leadership Development
- Process Improvement & Workflow Optimization
- Supply Chain & Inventory Management
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- KPI Reporting & Performance Analytics
- Vendor & Stakeholder Relations
- Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
General Manager - Brumit Restaurant Group
05.2025 - Current
Operations Manager - Waffle House Inc.
01.2021 - 04.2025
General Manager - Enmarket
01.2020 - 01.2021
Area Sales Manager - Kurresence
08.2019 - 2020
Co-Owner / Retail Operations Manager - Artisan Vapor & CBD Burlington
01.2016 - 01.2019
Vice President of Operations - NRG Home Solar
01.2012 - 01.2013
Senior Vice President of Lending - Gulf Credit Union
01.2010 - 01.2012
Assistant Vice President - Gesa Credit Union
01.2010 - 01.2010
Norwich University - Master of Arts, International Relations
University of Phoenix - Master of Science, Business Management
University of Phoenix - Bachelor of Science, Business Management
University of the Cumberlands - Doctor of Education, Higher Education Leadership
University of Phoenix - Ph.D., Business Management & Organizational Leadership (ABD)
Accomplishments
- Waffle House Inc. 30% service efficiency increase in 90 days
- Waffle House Inc. 25% operations budget reduction in 120 days
- Waffle House Inc. 90% improvement in employee retention over tenure
- Gulf Credit Union 34% growth in consumer lending within 6 months
- Gulf Credit Union 80% increase in ancillary revenue in 6 months
- NRG Home Solar 15% reduction in project completion times
- Kurresence 28% revenue growth in 6 months
- Artisan Vapor & CBD 70% increase in repeat customer traffic in 3 months
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America, Volunteer, Present
- Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, Treasurer of the Board, 2008, 2010