KATHERINE “KATIE” CHALLENGER

Evanston, Illinois *0202

312-***-****

ad0x9w@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-katie-challenger

SUMMARY

A driven and highly accomplished sales and business development professional, with comprehensive expertise in account management, sales enablement, project management, estimating and bidding, and consulting services. Manages the entire sales cycle of projects within multiple industries, focusing on the B2B and B2C sectors. Oversees a suite of operational, strategic, and administrative functions in the name of aligning efforts and resources around exceeding key goals and targets. Proven success in fostering excellence in every new project and endeavor while increasing customer lifetime value and loyalty via effective retention and marketing strategies.

Continuous Improvement Reporting-Documentation

Staff Coaching Construction Management Client Success Marketing Oversight

Business Operations Social Media Management Crisis Resolution Scheduling Oversight

EXPERIENCE

REVERE ELECTRIC SUPPLY, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Project Manager, 2022-2023

Worked and collaborated directly with internal team and external vendors, as well as external customers, to establish multiple projects from inception through delivery at the same time.

Handled all initial orders, change orders, add-ons, RGA, CPA, damage claims, cancellations, and project and equipment status reports. Created weekly PSR status reports for customers and account managers.

Developed and procured POs; sent POs to vendors; sent out order acknowledgments to customers; and kept exceptional record of all paperwork in Dropbox files.

Managed gear team project tracker for all account managers’ project bids and awarded jobs.

Collaborated with account managers on any RFQs and RFPs that totaled $2.6 million by Q4.

AVONDALE ELECTRIC, Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Project Manager and Business Operations, 2020-2021

Handled all project management, business operations, internal reorganization systems, trainings, and processes setup.

Created all new creative from ground up, including website, social media, content writing, and marketing.

Aligned all vendors, manufacturing, and distribution companies to achieve partnership agreements.

Spearheaded and facilitated growth of low-voltage division, including security, FA, burg, access control, door entry, WanderGuard, and nurse call, among others.

Facilitated project management and coordination, estimating, blueprints and bid packet takeoffs, and bid proposals.

Exceeded all client-GC expectations to meet project timeline, budget, and codes. Coordinated with field team and subs to stay on project schedules, including conducting on-site visits, building client rapport, and meeting clients’ full satisfaction.

NESA’S LOVE TO LIVE, LLC & NESAS HEMP, LLC, Skokie, Illinois

Consultant-Director of Operations and Business Development, 2019

COO and Consultant, 2019

Served as primary business consultant and sales director for alternative medical consulting firm, as well as nutraceutical hemp oil and hemp product line from concept to production.

Consulted on business development, sales, marketing strategy, and all business operations for both start-up firms.

Handled all legal, financial, and day-to-day operations, including obtaining proper certifications, putting together and proofreading all contracts and sales proposals, private labeling and packaging, supply chain management, and distribution.

Oversaw design and creative consulting, content development, insurance, risk management, payment processing, wholesale account partnerships, manufacturing supply agreements, fulfillment, event, marketing, and advertising.

Worked with website developers on creating two websites, including designing and managing sales and marketing material, writing all marketing, website, and sales content, and overseeing social media content.

Found and initiated contract to work with direct manufacturer. Worked with manufacturing team and owners to help put together finished product on shelves.

Gained product certifications to include USDA Certified, Oregon Tilth Certified, GMO Free, and Vegan Certified.

Formed relationships with distribution networks to sell both in stores and online.

Acted as social platforms specialist.

AMERICAN BACKFLOW & FIRE PREVENTION, Wauconda, Illinois

Director of Sales (Contract), 2018

Created CRM to be more sales-oriented.

Full-service sales for fire safety, plumbing, and fire extinguishers.

Created pipeline and closed new clients.

LAMARCO SYSTEMS, INC., Northbrook, Illinois

Director of Healthcare Systems, Life Safety and Security / Project Manager, 2016-2018

Director of Life Safety and Security / Project Manager, 2015-2016

Developed and launched healthcare division to establish company’s presence.

Provided sales and services of medical devices, critical care products, and medical equipment to hospitals, nursing facilities, surgery centers, and medical healthcare clinics. Enacted business plan, sales and marketing plans, and sales forecasts.

Designed and developed marketing materials. Prepared annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly sales plans, pipelines, and sales agendas to stay on target.

Created and cultivated all-new partnerships with numerous healthcare manufacturers to boost revenue and expand HC division products and services line.

Assumed full responsibility for sales strategy, growth, and performing all sales phases to maximize profit.

Led prospecting. Managed cold calls.

Oversaw verification (i.e., initial site visits and code regulation compliance).

Conducted client meetings, including building rapport, obtaining clear scope of current and future projects and opportunities, and overseeing timeline budgets.

Created daily proposals, budgets, estimates, and reports.

Design-engineered virtual prototype of system layouts.

Oversaw presentations, contract negotiations, project management-coordination, and follow-ups and care visits

Maintained up-to-date customer records, prospects, leads, and referrals.

Organized and maintained meeting notes as well as company project pipelines (both current and future). Set next steps. Scheduled follow-up calls and visits. Facilitated additional details to build further rapport.

Managed portfolio of 80% new business and expanded existing accounts, 15% referrals, and 5% leads and public bids.

Achieved excellence with key endeavors, including:

oSubmitted $5 million in proposals and $100,000 in RMR proposals for 2018. Cultivated $200,000 in signed contracts and $28,000 in signed RMR contracts.

oEnded 2017 with $6.4 million in proposals ($325,000 in signed contracts and $55,000 in signed RMR contracts).

oUsed 2016 to submit $3.7 million in proposals ($350,000 in signed contracts and $40,000 in signed RMR contracts).

Achieved annual sales objectives by establishing and maintaining business and communication with new customers, as well as further building relationships with active accounts.

Helped oversee projects by collaborating with all participants and stakeholders, effectively ensuring clear communication and understanding of project objective, timeline, budget, roles, schedules, and responsibilities.

Ran weekly meetings with team to cover new agenda, bids out, and status of active project.

UFC TECHNOLOGY, INC., Dallas, Texas

Director of Business Development and Talent Acquisition, 2014-2015

Provided IT recruiting services for U.S. government departments.

Utilized “Unified Foundation Consulting” framework to efficiently move candidates into new positions.

KELLY SERVICES, Chicago, Illinois

Business Development and Recruiting Specialist, 2013-2014

Utilized internal and external resources to identify potential candidates for client requirements.

Place job postings on the Internet and job boards to reach out to qualified candidates.

Conducted skills testing, office interviews, reference checks, and background investigations.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

ROBERT HALF, Chicago, Illinois, Account Manager and Recruiting Specialist, 2011-2012. Oversaw and facilitated new business development, account management, and full life-cycle recruiting.

CORCONCEPTS, Chicago, Illinois, Management Training Program - Sales Account Manager, 2009-2011. Developed skills through selling B2B in multiple territories throughout Chicagoland area. Created and managed sales team of five to ten people to exceed weekly individual and group sales goals. Built competency for employee B2B selling via training techniques and shadowing opportunities. Worked and managed book of business, covering multiple territories throughout Chicagoland area. Exceeded weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual sales goals. Recruited, interviewed, hired, and trained three entry-level employees weekly. Prepared, ran, and managed weeklong, eight- to ten-person sales trips, exceeding sales quotas by 30% to 70%. Planned and executed weekly management and training meetings, as well as company events.

SYNERGY LOGISTICS, Wilmette, Illinois, Office Manager, 2006-2009. Managed all day-to-day office responsibilities, handled full sales life cycle, and coordinated customers’ logistics needs by locating various transportation agents. Negotiated and closed deals while focusing on growing company’s book of business. Found most efficient and cost effective solutions to meet each client’s transportation needs. Expanded logistics capabilities by adding six new trucks and drivers to existing two in-house trucks. Increased customer base by plus-200% and held customer retention rate at 80% or above.

PERSONAL TRAINING EXPERIENCE

SKY FITNESS CHICAGO, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Fitness and Yoga Instructor, 2015-2017

COREPOWER YOGA, Chicago, Illinois, Yoga Instructor, 2015-2017

EDUCATION

OAKTON COLLEGE, Des Plaines, Illinois, Course Work in Business Management and Marketing

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, Manhattan, Kansas, Course Work in Political Science and Pre-Law

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Personal Trainer

Certified Yoga and Fitness Instructor

Standard First Aid, CPR and AED

Jeron Provider 680 Installation Technician Certification

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

NICET Fire Alarm Systems Training, Level I and II

Certified Personal Training Course

LANGUAGES

Fluent in Russian.

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