Douglas Nielsen Email & Phone Number

Mid South, United States

Project lead and manager for the technical support of supermarkets, grocery, and retails stores. RDS is the premier provider of point of sale hardware and software with over 30 offices and 500 professionals across the United States. The Mid South division serves over 600 hundred stores, in both English and Spanish. We support several different software platforms and API interfaces to third party integration. Customized and proprietary based solutions are a specialty with the Mid South office.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Director and Executive Manager of a new Point of Sale support and sales company created after the purchase of MarginMAX. Inherited the current POS support clients and maintain the authorized dealership of SMS LOC in Louisiana The company offers professional services specifically in the grocery industry for multiple business systems and technical retail operations.• Served as Art Director, creating company logo, brand, and leading the marketing campaigns.• Implementing affordable Artificial Intelligence tools (low-code, no-code) for clients and managing their cloud data-bases.• Continue with 24/7 support of the acquired MarginMAX client base.• Establish new support ticket interface and Project Management software with Agile Methodology.

Coach the development team and organization on how to use Agile practices and values. Facilitate and negotiate decision making among multiple development and engineering teams in a remote and collaborative environment.• Leverage tools and improve the communication between developers and product owners.• Established a data share portal to allow data sources to be shared by the team.• Continuous refinement of the quality of the user stories and articulate more focused acceptance criteria.• Working directly with the company founders, product manager, engineers, and outside developers to maintain scrum and Kanban frameworks.

United States

Directed the implementation and 24/7 support of cloud-based retail technologies within fuel, hardware, and grocery outlets for Large Cooperative owned stores. Executed enhancement requests on personalized apps by conducting lab testing, establishing SOPs, and delivering training; instated new software modules and performed equipment upgrades to address key queries and pain points.• Eliminated over $10,000K in expenses and 1,000+ annual work hours by initiating perpetual inventory within multipurpose convenience stores with hardware, lumber, and groceries. Grew staff accountability by instating SOPs on warehouse receiving, stocktaking, cost and deal management, and spot checks, to provide highly accurate on-demand inventory reports.• Secured a $500K contract to integrate and migrate 3 different POS systems and fuel pump processors to the cloud and centralizing executive-level reporting.• Standardized project management, eliminated silos, and expedited customer support for 300+ users by building an internal ticketing system. Liaised with owners, developers, retail teams, and software vendors.• Support a Cloud based pricing and gross margin management application enabling independent grocers to be price competitive with large supermarket chains. Furthered data analytics for clients by discerning and reporting on key metrics. • Boosted staff performance by employing the train-the-trainer model to conduct remote and onsite coaching sessions. Devised training manuals, instructional videos, and presentations in English and Spanish.

Birmingham, Alabama Area

At this position, I administered IT, marketing, and partnership programs for health grocery stores.Throughout my time here, I augmented revenue by leveraging sales analytics. For instance, I bolstered sales for 3 product vendors by ~40% by formulating marketing plans based on consumer trends. I also automated a manual loyalty program, increasing customer enrollment by 15% and spending by 20%. Moreover, I improved product performance by acquiring demographic and competitor insights from INFRA.While supervising end-to-end marketing processes, I identified opportunities to revamp print, packaging, and social media promotions. By replacing a third-party PR company with an internal marketing team, I enhanced brand presence and slashed the annual budget by $30K+. Additionally, I drew on a partnership with Live HealthSmart Alabama to target customers in food deserts, augmenting memberships by 10%.On the same note, I fostered a relationship with Birmingham Promise to initiate and execute a well-paid internship campaign for youth in underserved communities. To build partnerships with external organizations, I generated buy-in by consistently liaising with government officials, board members, and executive teams.Key Skills: Program Management, Brand Awareness, Sales Analytics & Revenue Growth, Consumer Behavior Analysis, Marketing Leadership, Strategic Partnership Development, Market & Competitive Analysis, Executive Buy-In Generation, Employee Oversight & Cross-Training, Customer Acquisition & Retention.

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

As the lead technical training director at this health and wellness food store, I standardized operations, improved internal communication, and cut travel spending by 15% by establishing new POS and back-office systems, standard protocols, and a hybrid workplace model. While doing so, I delivered weekly customer support on new software modules and processes.One of my key achievements was implementing a centralized vitamin warehouse remotely accessible by all stores. By doing so, I expedited product distribution, reduced labor costs by 5%, and decreased waste by 15%+.Upon instating BRdata, I mentored retail managers on cloud reporting, creating process visibility and averting $50K+ in yearly software licensing costs as a result.While managing and training 15 receivers and pricing coordinators across multiple sites, I grew their productivity by driving cross-training and internal promotions.Key Skills: Business Process Improvement, BRdata, Cost Reduction, Staff Supervision & Training, Retail Software Implementation, Waste Reduction, Cloud-Based Reporting.

Colombia

As an independent IT consultant, I enabled international corporations to streamline their LATAM operations by coaching executives and employees on US-based business practices as well as communication in English.Additionally, I helped software companies expand their Colombian footprint by devising standard policies and facilitating contract negotiations as a liaison. Some of my key projects are mentioned below:- I furthered the establishment of new office sites for a software development firm by instituting operational and communication procedures. This included Agile project management methods, including Kanban, daily scrums, and sprint planning.- I streamlined and documented standard policies on project management in a client’s open-source tool, such as project tasks, team members, and contingency plans.- I equipped a technology firm to deliver various iterations of a software integration proposal to Avianca. During this time, I interfaced with multiple IT companies and independent developers.- I nurtured a relationship between MyWebGrocer and the IT director of a major retailer by securing meetings and conducting negotiations.Key Skills: Business Development & Growth, Strategic Contract Negotiations, Team Coaching & Mentorship, SOP Implementation, Agile Project Management, Stakeholder Management.

Greater St. Louis Area

I furthered the launch of new stores by implementing new IT solutions, including employee- and customer-facing kiosks.I enhanced recipe management for the company by interfacing with department managers and culinary staff to ensure correct ingredient measurements and expenses. In addition, I assured accurate pricing of ~40K inventory items during relocation to 2 different warehouses.As the technology lead of a farm-to-table program, I administered R&D on direct sourcing and distribution from local farmers.Key Skills: Retail Software Deployment, Employee Training & Development, User Experience Enhancement, Inventory Quality Control, Program Development & Launch.

Colombia And Mexico

At this role, I delivered onsite, remote, and hybrid training sessions on the English language to ~40 simultaneous employees. Besides coaching on Toastmasters and Dale Carnegie techniques, I built a global team of Native English-speaking educators and established an English language program for 1,000+ children in collaboration with the British Council.Key Skills: Staff Training & Education, Team Establishment & Coaching, Program Rollout & Management.

Greater New York City Area

PROMOTED FROM: Systems Administrator.Here, I consistently drove cost savings by overseeing infrastructure enhancement programs:- I saved $375K in annual software support expenses by overseeing $15M POS installations across 125+ retail sites. I trained 1,000 personnel while doing so.- I cut $4.2M in spending annually by digitizing customer-facing operations. Specifically, I boosted enrollment and awareness by installing interactive kiosks and identifying consumer trends.- I decreased $1.5M in yearly costs by implementing a green retailing campaign. This entailed reducing paper and plastic waste, conducting wholesale energy purchasing, and instating energy-efficient appliances.Key Skills: $MM Expense Reduction, IT Systems Enhancement, Employee Oversight & Mentorship.

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Improvisational Acting