Darlene Croom Email and Phone Number

I recently completed my first novel, Dreams of Tamar. I am currently editing and researching publishing options. I am already developing the storyline for the next installation, Dreams of My Father.

I run the core business practices of a specific section of the store, ie softlines/homeliness. I have managed several specialty areas such as entertainment, consumables, the front end (cashiers, money center, and cash office). I work with a team of assistant managers to ensure that the daily operations of our facility run smoothly. My experience includes, merchandising and planning manpower and inventory for projected customer flow, verifying deposits, managing the overnight processes which involves overseeing the receiving and unloading of trucks, restocking the sales floor, managing inventory controls, overseeing facility maintenance, etc. I have 10 to 30 direct reports. I schedule workforce, recruit, hire, and oversee training of new associates. I order fixtures and supplies as needed. I must frequently interact with vendors, both in sales and equipment services. Assisting customers with various issues is an important aspect of my position.

I Taught adult women's and/or children's classes

Inspection and re-work of products that may require use of measurement devices Manage front line employee base assuring operational excellence and customer satisfactionProvide leadership and guidance to Quality InspectorsAssist in planning, coordination and employee placementComplete production paperwork

Supervise and lead a team of 7 to 15 Inventory Counters Count inventory as part of the team, when not supervising or engaged in other responsibilities. Provide service to both new and existing customers, and establish and maintain effective business relationships with customers. Prepare billing detail reports, timesheets, and job details, prepare and conduct audits. Develop an understanding of customers' evolving service needs to ensure customer satisfaction and review and analyze service levels on a continuous basis. Work a varied schedule and travel to our customers' locations. Drive a 15 passenger van.

Put together a team of 4 associates and chose a problem, developed and implemented a solution, and prepared a presentation of the process for management.Conducted training of new and returning associatesAssisted various areas with transition through vehicle model changes and line speed adjustmentsMaintained records of training progressReceived a Good Safety Catch Award. A month after my departure, my team received second place for our efforts in a plant-wide contestProcess Support GroupWorked as line support in various areas throughout the departmentHeld position requiring a working knowledge of various tasks throughout the departmentProcess AssociateProposed and implemented a suggestion which received a Division Level AwardAssisted other departments in the company with implementation of the same projectWorked on an assembly line performing specific tasks pertaining to vehicle assemblyMaintained daily production logs and quality sheets

Managed a caseload of 55 to 70 clients Maintained and updated detailed case records ensuring that accurate information was kept on each clientConducted career counseling of clients which included training education and job placementCompleted assessments, developed work plans and monitored progress of clientsMatched clients with prospective employers for on-the-job training programs and actual job placementsPlanned and coordinated various job training programs: Employment readiness classes, Youth Employment Conference, inter-agency planning team for the Cheaha Area Career Center, and I was the Calhoun County Coordinator for the Family Coaches ProgramPlanned and Coordinated annual Governors Committee Job FairPlanned, coordinated and hosted bi-monthly Task Force meeting with area businesses and social service agenciesGave presentations to college interns, job readiness students, high school students and task force membersServed as liaison between clients and employers Interpreted and implemented AL State Dept of Human Resources III volume policy handbook Coordinated benefits and services for clients and based on assessments of clients need, I determined if they would participate in a work activity or if their case would be deferred or exempted from work participationHandled conflict resolution between clients assigned to the same job-site as well as disciplinary issuesConsistently maintained a client participation rate at or above state recommendationsWrote, produced, and edited various office correspondence, including letters of support for other agencies, phone pitches, form letters, and quarterly news letters Proofread letters of associatesReceived and responded to customer and client inquiries and complaintsAttended various training sessions and seminars designed to enhance my ability to serve the public, provide quality service, and maintain a safe and secure work environment

Maintained and operated a Xerox 4620 computer operated printerPerformed quality checks and scans on finished products like personal and business checks