MELANIE D. MITCHELL
***** ******** ***** #*** • Canyon Country, CA 91387 • **********@*****.*** • 818-***-****
Professional Business Manager with 15 Year’s Experience in All Phases of Operations
COMPENTENCIES
Financial Administration Contract Negotiations
Staff Training & Supervision Procurement
Equipment Leasing & Acquisition Human Resource Director
Fleet Administration Estimating & Project Cost Control
Inventory & Materials Management Insurance Administration
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GENERAL MANAGER/CFO January 1999, July 2010
MCKERNAN INSPECTIONS & CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. Van Nuys, CA
A combination termite, fumigator, and housing repair and remodeling contractor serving the Real Estate industry and homeowners in Southern California.
• Reporting directly to the President supervising a staff of ten direct reports. Responsible for all financial administration and reporting, accounting and payroll systems, equipment leasing and materials procurement, fleet management, human resources, regulatory licensing/certification and maintenance of all corporate records and transactions.
• Full and complete authority to enter into legally binding agreements on behalf of the company. Sole authority to sign checks for payment on any goods and services purchased.
• Aggressively negotiated with insurance vendors in all lines reducing premium costs by 50% without any degradation in service and many cases better coverage resulting in an $185,000 annual savings.
• By participation on online permitting, gaining concessions from other vendors and retaining services in-house such as IT maintenance, artwork design and notary services gained another $80,000 plus per year in cost reductions.
• Implemented first ever job costing methodology within the company for all work. Researched past job history and examined all cost elements including direct/indirect labor, material costs, subcontractor fees and overheads. Designed a pricing structure with an appropriate profit margin to remain competitive.
• Established a vendor network and put in place a procurement procedure with defined dollar limits and eliminated unauthorized purchases. Set up job files for reconciliation of invoices providing an audit trail to guard against misappropriation and continued costing history.
• Set up an inventory control system which established material minimums and reorder quantities to obtain price breaks with vendors. Established a sign-out sheet and procedure for larger tools stopping significant theft and allowed for more effective job scheduling.
• Used inventory system to establish early notification of depleting chemicals and storage guidelines for licensed applicators, staying with the Department of Pesticide Regulations, Structural Pest Control Board, Los Angeles Fire Department (LACUPA) and the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commission requirements.
• Wrote operational procedures for all positions within the company outlining duties, responsibilities and methods for performing work. Facilitated all training and orientation for employees.
• Set up a robust safety and safety training program to meet the demands of a highly regulated industry. Highlights include locating services and establishing streamlined protocol for respiratory fitness physicals, training in hazardous materials, storage, spills and proper use. Also addressed the fitting and use of PPE, worksite preparation and job completion procedures.
• Prevailed in an action with State Compensation Insurance Fund over excessive fees charged. Partnered with the Ombudsman in presenting the case over a 6-month period, ultimately recovering several thousand dollars.
• Successfully negotiated a freeze in lease escalator overturning the previous agreement that included an automatic $600 month increase at the beginning of each year.
• Maintained all personnel and other legally mandated records including licensure and certifications for field staff and company registrations. Facilitated yearly audits for workers compensation and general liability.
• Contested and successfully reversed charges by a major service provider which were not communicated in a forthright manner by the sales representative.
• Oversee the full scope Fleet Management activities of the company’s vehicles. Reduced insurance charges by dividing the fleet into two segments, cars and light trucks and heavy duty vehicles.
• Responsible for the purchase and issuance of all company equipment including cellular telephones, purchasing cards, uniforms, PPE, digital cameras, employee ID cards and other materials. Ensure each employee signs a check off for repayment of equipment not returned at termination of employment.
• Received no citations or charges from any regulatory agency for charges of race, sex, age, disability discrimination or any contested wage issues during tenure.
• Provide regular employee engagement activities including an annual picnic and holiday celebration with employee recognition awards which include items such as high end trips to resort areas, sporting events Additionally the company sponsors various sports teams.
OFFICE MANAGER April 1989, December, 1998
EVANS EXTERMINATING CO. Burbank, CA
The company provides general pest control services along with termite fumigations and residential construction repairs.
• Performed overall administration for the office and field staff with responsibilities in accounting, general administration, human resources and risk management.
EDUCATION
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
SALLISAW HIGH SCHOOL Sallisaw, OK
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT/BUSINESS STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, CA
Ongoing 44 hours completed
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
• California Notary Public
• Member SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
• CalChamber HR California
COMPUTER PROFICIENCIES
Microsoft Word, Excel, Peachtree Accounting, ADP Pay Expert payroll processing, Teletrac GPS Vehicle Tracking Software, MS Outlook, Bugbase (Termite and scheduling Software) and Delrina FormFlow Forms, SuperBuild Estimating Software, computerized USPS, FedEx Online shipments, Corel Draw
COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT
Volunteer Special Olympics
Participant and Sponsor Aids Walk
World Vision continuing Sponsor