JON WATSON
4789 W. Rosebay St, Tucson, AZ 85742
520-869-2891 (cell); Watsonjon63@hotmail.com
PROFILE: Proven leader with 22 years of business experience in customer service oriented environment with emphasis in marketing, financial, quality, training, and distribution management. Global international background in the Middle East, South Pacific, Asia and East African regions. Excellent communication skills and solid track record in managerial, quality, team-building, and operations positions with ever-increasing responsibility. Well-developed instructional skills as a college level business/managerial leadership instructor. Master Training Specialist. Proficient in project management, and knowledgeable in turf irrigation and new product development. DAWIA Level 1 Contracting Certified. Eagle Scout at age 14. Junior Olympian at age 17. Hold Top Secret Clearance – SBI Investigation. Fluent in KiSwahili.
PRODUCT/MARKETING MANAGEMENT: Established and expanded Rain Bird’s Training Services (product) program for Turf, Golf , Intl and Homeowner markets and Corporate replacement parts (product) program, working with domestic & international Authorized Service Centers and distributorships in the Turf, Golf, Agriculture and Consumer Product markets.
¨ Expanded training scope (offerings) and geographic penetration and increasing revenue over previous year by over 200%.
¨ Initiated an online parts store with global sales allowing full offerings of replacement parts as well as a virtual “24/7” store with worldwide customer service capability. Proven track record of increased sales and market growth for Rain Bird parts, services and Lawnlife turf, golf and hose end products.
¨ Introduced NEW product offerings with Ceres Products to Lawnlife turf/golf distribution channels.
¨ Training of distributors at Turf Regional Shows in areas of new & existing products and maintenance/repair.
¨ Direct sales field interaction with Rain Bird distributors and product and marketing manager for support materials (Parts Racks, reference books, CDs).
¨ Development of product marketing & materials: Flyers/Brochures, Training Manuals, Parts Books, Price Lists and newsletters.
¨ Sales Officer for US Navy in retail goods, increasing sales by over $150K, a 25% increase. Responsible for inventory, marketing, customer service and managing a sales force of five personnel.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: P&L responsibility, budget/sales/profit preparation, billing and expense reporting. Decreased operating overhead while increasing profit.
¨ Responsibility for the Service and Parts Divisional P&L, revenue goals, and budgetary plans. Increased Internet generated sales 127%, direct Parts Center sales 34%, Revenue 36% and Profit 166% over past calendar year.
¨ Calculation of price lists and ensuring profit margins are exceeded.
¨ Coordinate corporate parts strategy & pricing to meet sales goals & profit margins.
CUSTOMER SERVICE/QUALITY MANAGEMENT: Proven skills in leading and facilitating issues and teams related to Quality, Customer Service, Marketing, Distribution and Production.
¨ Ability to “Think Outside of the Box” and lead others to continually strive for continuous improvement of processes to exceed customer expectations.
¨ Integration with Product, Quality and Eng. Mgrs. to support spare part lines.
¨ Maintained excellent relationships with over 10 domestic and 15 foreign vendors.
¨ Developed new product lines for Ceres Products as well as negotiating for representing Rain Bird companies with Taiwan vendors for new products.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP & TRAINING MANAGEMENT: Directed 210 military and 140 civilians in local and remote locations, in managerial, supervisory and technical positions. Planned and initiated new products & services in sales & operation arenas.
¨ Instructing abilities evident in business and managerial courses for over 80 University students and 150 military officers.
¨ Skilled in working within a foreign environment with limited resources in accomplishing mission.
¨ Received two Quality awards for leading cross-functional teams in reducing inventory problems at Distribution Center and for e-commerce institution of the Online Parts Store.
¨ Commanding Officer of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion leading over 240 sailors in four states in logistics and expeditionary support.
SALES/MARKETING MANAGEMENT: Sales Account Manager responsibility for Training Services program, marketing and conducting irrigation training in all markets globally. Over eight years of successful sales experience in varied fields.
¨ Exceeded sales and revenue goals for irrigation training with new offerings and an aggressive introduction throughout the US as well as Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
¨ Introduced NEW product offerings with Ceres Products to Lawnlife turf/golf distribution channels.
¨ Organized and conducted several successful distributor events and have developed strong relationships through distributor projects.
¨ Initiated an online parts store with global sales allowing full offerings of replacement parts as well as a virtual “24/7” store with worldwide customer service capability.
¨ Planned and managed facility, manning, operation and distribution functions for 10 Logistics Sites in the Middle East, Red Sea, Horn of Africa and Western Pacific regions.
¨ Background in sourcing requirements and project negotiations with international contractors and governments.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
2002-2007 Services Manager, Training (Rain Bird Services Corporation) Tucson, AZ
2001-2002 Corporate Parts & Service Manager (Rain Bird Sprinklers) Azusa, CA
2001-2002 Business Instructor, Citrus College, Glendora, CA
2000-2001 Operations Manager, Ceres Products (Rain Bird Sprinklers) Azusa, CA
1999-2000 Distribution Warehouse Supervisor, Rain Bird Dist. Corp. Azuza, CA
1997-1999 Logistics Planning Officer (Operations Planner), US Naval Forces Central Command/US Fifth Fleet (Bahrain, Middle East)
1998-1999 Business Instructor, Univ. of Maryland University College (Bahrain)
1995-1997 Freight Terminal/Subsistence WH Director, Quality Assurance/Cust. Service Officer, Fleet Industrial Supply Ctr, Agana, Guam
1992-1995 Instructor, Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, Georgia
1988-1992 Supply (Logistics/Budget/Sales) Dept. Head, USS KIRK, Frigate, Long Beach; USS THACH, Frigate, San Diego
1986-1987 Store Manager, Tilt Entertainment, Inc., Greeley, Colorado
1984-1986 U.S. Peace Corps Instructor/Volunteer, Kenya, East Africa
1981-1983 Sales Associate, Century 21 Real Estate, Riverton, WY
EDUCATION:
M.S. (Ongoing) Naval War College (International Policy/Strategy)
MBA (1994) Brenau University, Georgia (Business Mgmt/Marketing) (3.80 GPA, APICS)
BA (1984) University of Northern Colorado (Biology/Teaching) (Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, 3.20 GPA, Dean’s List)