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Richard A Feist
Phoenix
Summary
Strategic operations leader with 19 years of experience in retail, café, customer service, business operations, and animal welfare. Led multi-site operations, developed high-performing teams, enhanced training and onboarding, and improved financial performance. Fostered strong cross-functional collaboration and built accountable, service-focused teams aligned with organizational missions.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Retail & Café Supervisor
Arizona Humane Society
Phoenix
08.2025 - Current
- Oversee daily operations across 3 Petique retail locations and the Hungry Hound Café, supporting a consistent, welcoming, and mission-driven guest experience across 3 campuses.
- Lead, coach, schedule, and support 35 team members and 6+ volunteers while reinforcing accountability, service excellence, and operational consistency.
- Developed and maintained 10+ SOPs, guides, checklists, and training tools that strengthened onboarding and enhanced day-to-day execution across retail and café operations.
- Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance feedback for café team members, retail leadership, and cross-functional partners.
- Monitored financial performance and supported budget-conscious decision-making to enhance operational alignment.
- Oversee inventory control, purchasing, stock rotation, waste reduction, merchandising, and product presentation across 2,000 SKUs, 9 vendors, and approximately 87,000 units of inventory.
- Partner cross-functionally with Adoptions, Volunteer Engagement, Education & Outreach, and Development to improve communication, alignment, and operational effectiveness.
- Supported internal catering and event needs for President’s Club, donor events, and VSI groups, achieving cost savings of $8,000+ through Hungry Hound Café services.
Animal Care & Experience Coordinator
Arizona Humane Society
Phoenix
08.2024 - 08.2025
- Supported day-to-day operations in a high-volume animal welfare environment serving approximately 600 animals on average.
- Mentored 60+ Animal Care & Experience Specialists and volunteers, reinforcing communication, accountability, and consistent standards of care.
- Trained and supported 20+ new team members and volunteers through hands-on leadership, coaching, and real-time problem solving.
- Contributed to smoother floor operations by strengthening cross-training practices and supporting a faster, more efficient animal move-out process.
Animal Care & Experience Specialist
Arizona Humane Society
Phoenix
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Delivered daily care for approximately 60 animals across 50 kennels while maintaining sanitation, feeding, enrichment, and safety standards.
- Supported volunteers in assigned areas through hands-on guidance, teamwork, and daily operational support.
Assistant Operations Manager
HomeGoods
Paradise Valley
06.2023 - 05.2024
- Supported operations for a high-volume retail store generating approximately $5M–$10M in annual sales.
- Led development of 60 associates across operations, merchandising, customer service, and sales performance, fostering teamwork and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Assisted with recruitment, onboarding, and development for 20 new hires and helped train 10 sales coordinators into expanded roles.
- Delivered credit card sales training across 3 locations and 1 grand opening, contributing to top credit conversion performance.
- Promoted from Engagement Coordinator to Assistant Operations Manager within 3 months due to strong results in operations, customer satisfaction, and credit performance.
Operator / Partner
Purity Kitchen & Bath LLC
Greater Phoenix Area
09.2015 - 10.2022
- Launched and grew business over 7+ years, developing brand, enhancing digital presence, and establishing operational infrastructure.
- Drove revenue growth through business development and distributor partnerships, achieving 200% sales increase in six months.
- Directed warehouse, logistics, shipping, and inventory operations for 30 projects and 300+ orders weekly across 8+ product lines.
- Improved workflow efficiency, inventory capacity, and order fulfillment by expanding warehouse operations to support larger and faster-moving volume.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with distributors, dealers, contractors, and designers across Arizona.
Sales Supervisor
Michael Kors
Indianapolis
08.2013 - 07.2015
- Consistently exceeded sales goals and ranked #1 in the region for 3 consecutive quarters through goal-setting, client engagement, and conversion-focused leadership.
- Supervised daily operations and led a team of 20 associates in high-traffic luxury retail environment, ensuring optimal customer experience.
- Coached and developed backroom associate into promoted Sales Stylist within 3 weeks through targeted training and performance support.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Blue Mountain Christian University
Blue Mountain, MS05-2012
Skills
- Operations management
- Inventory control
- Staff training
- Financial monitoring
- Standard operating procedures
- Customer experience
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Relationship building
- Menu updating
- Cafe operations
- Staff management
- Menu development
- Food orders
- Staff training and development
Languages
English
Full Professional
American Sign Language
Limited
Timeline
Retail & Café Supervisor
Arizona Humane Society
08.2025 - Current
Animal Care & Experience Coordinator
Arizona Humane Society
08.2024 - 08.2025
Animal Care & Experience Specialist
Arizona Humane Society
06.2024 - 08.2024
Assistant Operations Manager
HomeGoods
06.2023 - 05.2024
Operator / Partner
Purity Kitchen & Bath LLC
09.2015 - 10.2022
Sales Supervisor
Michael Kors
08.2013 - 07.2015
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Blue Mountain Christian University