Julian Darden
Gary
Summary
Forward-thinking team leader skilled at operating departments efficiently to meet goals. Successful background matching employees with roles for maximum performance. Proactive and hardworking individual focused on continuous operational improvement. Strong team player and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and creating cultures of organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Benefit Advisor
One Digital Advanced Health
10.2023 - Current
- Streamlined benefits enrollment processes for increased efficiency and improved client experiences.
- Maximized cost savings by conducting regular audits of existing benefits programs and making strategic adjustments as needed.
- Collaborated with insurance carriers to ensure clients received the best possible coverage options and pricing.
- Negotiated favorable contract terms with insurance providers, resulting in significant cost savings without compromising coverage quality or competitiveness of plans offered.
- Developed and maintained strong rapport with clients through regular communication and outstanding service delivery, leading to high levels of trust and loyalty.
- Consistently met or exceeded assigned sales quotas by effectively marketing our company''s range of services.
- Coordinated seamless transitions between benefit plan providers for clients, minimizing disruptions and ensuring smooth coverage continuation.
Store Manager
Locker Room by Lids
06.2022 - 07.2023
- Creating regular customers, creating flexible & appropriate selling cultures, and maintaining very specific visual presentations are just a glimpse into what it takes to keep this store profitable.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Upheld and communicated store programs and standards to employees for optimal quality, freshness, safety and cleanliness.
- Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
- Supervised guests at front counter, answering questions regarding products.
- Completed numerous point of sale opening and closing procedures.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Developed and implemented successful staff incentive programs to motivate employees.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Created numerous employee schedules to align coverage with forecasted demands.
Process Assistant
Amazon Fulfillment Center
02.2022 - 06.2022
- Maintained knowledge of industry techniques, methods and equipment to create competitive advantage leading to business growth.
- Conducted training and change management processes to improve operations.
- Collaborated with team to define business requirements for organizational processes, achieve productivity standards, and adhere to accuracy standards.
- Identified and resolved process issues to drive optimal workflow and business growth.
- Determined and recommended methods to implement improvement opportunities.
- Monitored and reported on process performance to verify compliance with established standards.
- Supervised processes to eliminate weak points or bottlenecks in business operations.
- Surpassed team goals by partnering with colleagues to implement best practices and protocols.
- Recorded new hires, transfers, terminations, changes in job classifications and merit increases to main human resources files.
- Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, recordkeeping and data entry for increased efficiency.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to conduct thorough discovery and due diligence on existing processes.
- Performed quality assurance checks on transactions and account actions to assess compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Conducted training and applied change management to achieve desired outcomes.
- Offered data-driven recommendations to align company strategies and process improvement initiatives.
Store Manager
PACSUN
10.2017 - 02.2022
- Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
- Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge, and service requirements.
- Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Upheld and communicated store programs and standards to employees for optimal quality, freshness, safety and cleanliness.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel in successful strategies to meet operational and sales targets; working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays and optimized store displays and appearance via strategic merchandising, to catch attention of store customers.
- Established and optimized schedules to keep coverage and service in line with forecasted demands.
- Managed store organization, maintenance, and purchasing functions.
- Exceeded sales goals and accomplished business objectives by inspiring staff and promoting target products.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Developed and implemented successful staff incentive programs to motivate employees.
- Attentively monitored store and surrounding areas for signs of attempted theft by customers or personnel, intervening when necessary.
- Calmly and efficiently addressed emergency situations such as safety hazards and threats to life or property, deescalating when possible, and directing shoppers to safety.
- Completed routine store inventories, and supported audits, shortage control initiatives, apprehensions, and disposition by preparing and reviewing associated paperwork.
Crew Trainer
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
02.2016 - 10.2017
- Trained other employees in customer service, food safety, and performance requirements.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Greeted customers with smile and provided friendly service to professionally handle every need.
- Set positive example for team members by providing high-quality, efficient service.
- Documented training and progress on database to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Oversaw shelf-life studies on finished goods on qualifying runs for continuing improvement purposes.
- Created safe and healthy work environment throughout plant, adhered to safety policies and procedures and drove safe work behaviors in leadership and front line staff.
- Followed food safety procedures outlined in company policies and health and sanitation regulations to prevent food borne illness.
- Performed food preparation responsibilities to meet franchise standards for quantities, speed, and packaging.
- Restocked workstations with supplies and food display cases with fresh selections to decrease customer waiting during busy periods.
Stock Manager
Forever 21
05.2017 - 10.2017
- Logged daily production, shrink and inventory levels in computer system.
- Managed shipment receiving, processing and storage under tight timelines.
- Oversaw workers preparing new merchandise for sales floor with store-specific tags and displays.
- Coordinated assignments to keep workspaces clean and organized.
- Kept aisles clear and clean while restocking to prevent accidents and enable others to easily pass by.
- Collaborated with Store Manager & Lead Visual Merchandiser to effectively cut down on defective items in storage and in shipments.
- Worked closely with store manager to solve problems and handle customer concerns.
- Coordinated restocking of sales floor with current merchandise and accurate signage for current promotions.
- Used POS system to process sales, returns, online orders, and gift card activations.
- Checked pricing, scanned items, applied discounts, and printed receipts to ring up customers.
- Processed customer returns to manage smooth refunds and exchanges following store procedures.
- Monitored customers for signs of security concerns and escalated issues to management.
- Worked to meet or exceed special targets for credit card applications, special donations and specific product promotions.
Crew Trainer
McDonalds
05.2014 - 05.2015
- Unloading trucks with very heavy boxes of product
- Made food according to standard recipes with requested changes for customer satisfaction.
- Restocked supplies and prepared additional ingredients during downtime for expected busy periods.
- Strictly followed sanitation and food safety guidelines as required by regulatory agencies and company.
- Prevented food spoilage by monitoring dates, rotating stock, and following proper storage procedures.
- Greeted customers at counter to fulfill requests and answer questions.
- Learned other teammates' work tasks to train as backup.
- Maintained effective supply levels by monitoring and reordering food stock and dry goods.
- Provided coaching and mentoring to employees.
- Coordinated training schedules across sites with supervisors and managers to optimize training initiatives and work-flow management
- Conducted needs assessments to identify gaps in performance and develop targeted learning solutions.
Education
Certification - Insurance
Federal Life & Health Examination
Chicago, IL10-2023
Certification - Insurance
Illinois State Life & Health Examination
Springfield, IL10-2023
Associate of Applied Science - HVAC Installation And Repair
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Valparaiso, IN05.2017
High School Diploma -
Hobart High School
Hobart, IN06.2015
Skills
- Business Planning
- Customer Relations
- Google Drive
- Cost Control
- Time Management
- Staff Training & Development
- Transaction Monitoring
- Retail Operations Management
- Hiring and Morale
- Rewards Program Oversight
- Shrinkage Prevention
- Directing Team Members
- Customer Service and Satisfaction
- Talent Recruitment and Development
- Sales Reporting
Certification
- Licensed Health Insurance - October 2023 - Present
- Medicare Benefits Expertise - October 2023 - Present
Accomplishments
- Top Sales Team In Branch, Medicare Advantage | Annual Enrollment Period 2025
- Highest product customization conversion rate in the district during Holiday Season 2022-2023. (Locker Room by Lids).
Timeline
Senior Benefit Advisor
One Digital Advanced Health
10.2023 - Current
Store Manager
Locker Room by Lids
06.2022 - 07.2023
Process Assistant
Amazon Fulfillment Center
02.2022 - 06.2022
Store Manager
PACSUN
10.2017 - 02.2022
Stock Manager
Forever 21
05.2017 - 10.2017
Crew Trainer
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
02.2016 - 10.2017
Crew Trainer
McDonalds
05.2014 - 05.2015
Certification - Insurance
Federal Life & Health Examination
Certification - Insurance
Illinois State Life & Health Examination
Associate of Applied Science - HVAC Installation And Repair
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
High School Diploma -
Hobart High School
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