Mariah Forrest

Mariah J. Forrest Mobile--OBJECTIVE I am seeking a challenging employment position with your company that will fully utilize my acquired skills, expertise, and experience while affording opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Proficient Logistician, Business Manager, and Corporate Sales Supervisor, with an extensive and diverse background based on 9 years plus experience and formal training while employed with several Fortune 500 companies. Skilled in applying Inventory Control, Federal Acquisition Regulation, Customer Account Management, Data Entry, Payroll Processing, Budget Preparation, and Administrative Services. Career has demonstrated strong leadership initiative, technical expertise, operations creativity and award-winning success. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Logistician/Business Manager Hair Queen Beauty Supply and Cosmetics, Huntsville, AL July 2019 to December 2019 Performed recurring assignments designed to develop knowledge and skills in applying life cycle logistics management principles, methods and techniques. Prepared written correspondence and other documentation, attends and/or participates in courses, conferences, briefings and meetings. Managed operations and created procedures to fulfill same-day sales orders. Maintained positive relations with vendors and parcel carriers. Created and implemented extensive marketing plans with various tactics to attract and introduce products to distributors and wholesalers through various platforms such as social media campaigns, direct mail, and other communication avenues. Responsible for implementing and overseeing the maintenance of CRM-Customer(s) service and problem resolution. Created recurring reports as needed using Microsoft Excel to determine economic order quantities based on procurement lead times. Utilizes computer systems and programs for quality control, discrepancy analysis and resolution, and identified correct stock locations. Generated reports utilizing computer systems that maintain data on inventory products, purchase orders, contract and vendor files. Answered inquiries via e-mail or phone regarding supply management issues such as procedures, deliveries, line items, policies, regulations, or contract provisions. Expedited procurement actions when low or out-of-stock situations arise to minimize delays in shipments. Followed up on problematic order situations such as overages, shortages, or discrepancies in billing and payment for orders. Reconstructed procurement actions to resolve problems and initiate corrective action utilizing independent judgment. Initiated action to resolve discrepancies between merchandise received and product specifications or other contract/purchase order provisions. Properly disposed of excess supplies that cannot be effectively utilized in order to reduce inventory. Facilitated the procurement of supplies and services that support Hair Queen Beauty Supply and Cosmetics. Identified and implemented processes, improvements, and cost savings initiatives for shipping, inventory, and marketing materials. Formulated instructions and directives necessary to operate a fluid profit generating business activity with a fluctuating customer base. Observed and evaluated business operations for efficiency and accomplishment of Hair Queen Beauty Supply and Cosmetics functions and events. Ensured adequate staffing of personnel was available. Carried out work in accordance with operating policies, directives, and requirements. Completed and maintained various reports and files. Successfully managed special projects such as the Hair Queen Brand ambassador program, as well projects that are derived based on the volume of projected sales. Performed other duties as assigned. Accounts Payable/Receivable Manager The Mane Choice, Huntsville, AL July 2016 to December 2019 Oversaw transactions to include purchasing, transportation, inventory, and warehousing of merchandise, Organized and processed invoices for payments to vendors. Collaborated with company managers to ensure invoices were correct and have proper approval for payments to be made. Analyzed and resolved issues with vendor invoices and contact vendors as needed. Processed credits/refunds to customers as M. Forrest, 2 necessary. Reconciled credit card statements and check registers. Served as accounting and customer service representative for phone coverage, filing, etc. as needed. Developed, implemented, and managed the accounting operations, and procedures for the accounts receivable/payables, credit and collections department through month end. Created and submitted purchase orders to vendors and price checked/analyzed received vendor inventory invoices. Allocated accounts receivable task which included: customer payments, verified the authenticity of accounts, resolved valid, invalid, authorized, unauthorized deductions, financial reports detailing A/R status, and collections. Devised multiple processes of invoices for major retailers, supply distributors, and international suppliers/retailers including PO, summary including verification and audit of approvals and supporting documentation. Conducted HR functions: employee onboarding, development, compensation and benefits administration; employee safety, welfare, wellness and health; employment verification. Also performed duties as the Business Coordinator: communicated with clients and employees on projects, events, campaign expectations and goals. Collaborated with clients and employees, finance teams, as well as other team members on budgeting and allocating funds. Delegated tasks to appropriate team members, managed deadlines and progress across the team to ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget. Organized third-party providers and vendors to deliver elements that can’t be produced in-house. Oversaw the delivery of projects and made adjustments as necessary to ensure they are delivered to specifications and high standards. Collected and analyzed feedback from customers and other project users to gauge satisfaction and success. Performed other duties as assigned. Administrative Assistant The Mane Choice, Huntsville, AL February 2016 to July 2016 Provided technical administrative assistance for day-to-day planning, direction, and operation of The Mane Choice. Received, greeted and answered questions from visitors and telephone calls courteously. Keen knowledge of all functionalities within The Mane Choice, to answer requests for information. Utilized multiple office automation software (e.g. word processing, database management, electronic spreadsheets, calendar and graphics) to prepare correspondence, briefing charts, graphs, statistics, computations, and other textual and tabular material. Assisted in planning, preparing, and coordinating of agenda’s and resources for company events and ceremonies. Transmitted, received, and acknowledged electronic mail and messages. Responded to customer requests for product information, in house sales/returns, distributed messages and mail to proper departments/employees. Monitored & reviewed daily improvement metrics in an ongoing effort to improve processes and customer satisfaction. Reserved conference rooms and collaborated with office services for room-setups, audio-visual capabilities, as well as security, transportation of materials, and catering. Prepared documentation for payment of vendors, consultants, and suppliers; after review by direct supervisor, submitted documentation and entered requests for payments into the accounting system; responded to inquiries from accounts payable and receivables. Recognized and proactively addressed upcoming opportunities or obstacles and investigated the situation beyond routine questioning. Perform other duties as assigned. Corporate Sales Supervisor The Honey Baked Ham Company, Huntsville, AL September 2014 to July 2016 Planned, developed and led the corporate sales program for the retail lines of business. Collaborated with field leadership to drive improved performance and attainment of sales. Effectively collaborated with Field Leadership Teams, Stores Teams, Operations Team, Marketing, Finance and all Honey Baked associates to support the needs of the business. Led training and sales activities, including conference calls, market training classes, making sales calls. Monitored and reported performance to budget at regular intervals throughout the year. Identified possible shortfalls to the budget and initiated measures to ensure success. Developed and co-led the annual catering plan for the B2B sales channel to include holiday gifting, holiday and non-holiday catering, new store opening support and national sales opportunities. Identified objectives, strategies and action plans to improve short and long term revenue growth and profitability in both the B2B and catering channels. Directed all contract management service operations at a single account, planned and supervised special functions. Supervised and coordinated daily activities of employees engaged in delivering excellent customer interactions and utilizing effective selling techniques. Assisted with daily associate relations issues and annual performance review process. Participated in monitoring of associates’ compliance to all company policies and procedures. Participated in inventory control functions – including shipping and receiving, financial processes and building maintenance. M. Forrest, 3 Participated with the management of processes related to corporate B2B merchandise, unit markdowns and damaged products. Performed other duties as assigned. Operations Lead/Beauty Advisor Ulta Beauty Cosmetics, Huntsville, AL December 2013 to April 2016 Interpreted and analyzed contact center statistics, customer behaviors and other activities to optimize customer satisfaction and maintained proper workload distribution. Responsible for department presentation standards and cleanliness, maximized sales and meeting daily/monthly goals, and providing excellent customer service. Responsible for skincare and treatment sales, utilized skin hydrometer to help determine customers skin condition (dry, normal combination), advised best skin care regimen based on skin condition. Consulted with customers to assist them in finding the best skincare and makeup products for their skin type and desires. Suggested (sales) cosmetic products based on customers wants needs and condition, demonstrated appropriate techniques/how to use and apply products and which products are best used together. Greeted all guests with friendly, prompt and courteous service, informed guests of current promotions, events and services within the store, promoting the Ulta Beauty loyalty and guest service programs. Met and exceeded individual sales and productivity goals. Performed makeup applications, skincare analysis and product demonstrations. Confirmed, and made appointments for scheduled special events, ensured all testers within the prestige area were continuously in stock and maintained in compliance with hygiene standards. Ensured stock was maintained consistently within the prestige categories and ensured all resets and planograms were correctly executed and maintained. Ensured makeover stations adhered to all company standards. Executed and maintained visual merchandising standards. Maintained standards of cleanliness and organization within the prestige area and Ulta Beauty color library. Interacted with the public and associated with customers in a professional and businesslike manner and performed other duties as assigned. Logistician Intern Redstone Test Center, Redstone Arsenal, AL July 2012 to May 2013 Performed routine logistical duties and responsibilities in conjunction with management's assistance to include acquisition, operations management, warehousing, shipping and receiving, and supply data statistical analysis, administered expendable and non-expendable supply, equipment and real property items, applied life cycle practices to include receiving, inspection, accounting for and identification; use and control; and disposition. Planned, scheduled and completed announced and un-announced physical inventories and prepared associated reports and other administrative records and data. Accomplished vehicle operations responsibilities to include operation of unit vehicles; performing minor preventive vehicle maintenance; scheduled vehicles for contract periodic and un-anticipated repair and maintenance. Established and maintained supply accounting records that support commodity distribution operations. Tracked demand requirements using statistical models and operations management equations (regression analysis, exponential smoothing etc.), analyzed inactive/long supply stock in order to determine if items should be deleted, maintained or excesses. Researched and analyzed information in numerous reports and databases to resolve order or inventory discrepancies. Maintained a "first-in-first out inventory system ensuring correct stock locations and rotations were IAW Department of Defense and Army regulations. Arranged and coordinated the transportation for repairs and maintenance of equipment. Tracked and logged mileage of company vehicles and updated utilization and accident reports while maintaining 100 percent database accuracy. Controlled and managed the dispatching of vehicles used for GSA by scheduling vehicle reservations for day to day operations and special events. Performed additional administrative functions including preparing memos, spreadsheets, scanning, sending master reports, and responding to phone requests. Performed other duties as assigned. SKILLS AND STRENGTHS Proficiency in Microsoft Office (75 WPM) and competences in assorted other databases. Operating systems experience: MS Windows, Systems, Applications, and Products (SAP/MRP/ERP), Microsoft Office Suite, Fishbowl and QuickBooks, Record Keeping, Public Relation, Business Development, Project Management, Operations, Distribution Management, Budgeting, Planning, and Execution, Materials Handling, Inventory Control Processes, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Customer Relations, Cash Handling Procedures, Record Keeping, Inventory, Team Builder/Player, Responsible, Mentor, Dedicated, M. Forrest, 4 Problem-solving & Decision-making, Strong work ethic, Positive attitude, Independence & Initiative. Analytical & critical thinker with strong problem solving and decision making skills with the ability to multi-task and someone who is organized and proficient with research and using resources. EDUCATION BS – Bachelor of Science – Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University, Normal, AL, 2013 References available upon request