Kate Sparks

Experience

• 

  Penn Ridge Transportation

  Dec 2004 - Dec 2006

  Clerical Secretary

  Customer service, data entry, scheduling, organizational skills, logistics

• 

  Best Buy

  Sept 2006 - May 2012

  Full Time Sales Associate

  Oversight of 15-20 employees tracking individual employee performance and leading team-building, reach and exceed store and district sales expectations, review order system and product after POS, provided end to end customer service, training new hires, on-going competency of high-tech products, charities, community involvement, sales, president of the Employee Experience Team

• 

  Diversified Restaurant Holdigns, Inc (Nasdaq: SAUC)

  Sept 2012 - Nov 2014

  Manager

  Function as marketing manager for location, execution of company training and development, incentive programs, staffing, scheduling, performance evaluations, provide consistent food quality by following Michigan Department of Health guidelines, inventory, ordering product, staff retention, system updates, customer satisfaction, meeting and exceeding corporate performance goals

• 

  Barfly Ventures, LLC

  Nov 2014 - Aug 2015

  Manager

  Director of sustainability program for location, staffing, analyzing guest and staff experience, hired and trained 170 new employees in preparation for new store opening, continued staff education, inventory, performance evaluations, organize restaurant/community events- in and out of location, meeting exceeding corporate management goals

• 

  Savco Hospitality

  Aug 2015 - Jun 2016

  General Manager of Babo Market

  Oversaw locations- 50+ employees including FOH/BOH management, further the brand and create a vibrant and effective marketing/advertising program, enhance visibility and build customer base, work with HR and store managers to develop orientation, training and on-boarding programs, source, select and procure retail items that follow the company’s purchasing principles for the surrounding populations for differing demographics/ build daily menu. Manage payroll. Sought out and implemented new POS system. Facilitate weekly meeting with department heads to address areas of opportunity and growth. Employee and manager reviews/one-on-ones, employee disciplinary action. Show less

• 

  Hospitality

  Jul 2016 - Sept 2016

  Director of Operations

  Project based- 3,000 square feet, 95 seats, oversaw 100+ guest count and staff, $5.8 million in annual sales. Identified new areas of opportunity in staff job efficiency and execution, guest interactions and expectations, revised and created new systems with correlating training material, operational opportunities in new restaurant venture and point of sale system.

• 

  Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.

  Sept 2016 - May 2020

  Lead and assist marketing activities. Manage social media for NA and contribute globally. Collaborate with group companies to create thought leadership articles, contribute to the development and execution of parent company social media campaigns (written and video). Assist management of sponsorship activations. Subject matter expert. Organize and lead C-level activities. Represent Michigan on global diversity committee. Lead and assist marketing activities. Maintain brand visibility by way of television, print, radio, and community activity sponsorship. Create social media campaigns. Seek out marketing opportunities. Assist HR with recruiting activities. Travel.

  • Assistant Marketing Manager

    Oct 2019 - May 2020

  • Marketing Specialist

    Sept 2016 - Oct 2019
• 

  IMBranded

  May 2020 - Sept 2021

  Sr. Sales Coordinator
• 

  Principle

  Sept 2021 - now

  Principle is a global brand and implementation consultancy, built on the principle that powerful, well-implemented brands are instrumental in realizing vision and creating growth.

  • Director, Business Development

    Jul 2024 - now

  • National Account Manager

    Sept 2021 - now