Matthew Daniels

Seeking employment working with individuals with disabilities.

Summary

I am a former retail leader with a Bachelor’s degree in business that finally found my calling in human services. I’m simply seeking the best way to have the greatest positive impact on the population I have most recently worked with. 

Professional Experience

OLV Human Services Lackawanna, NY April 2021 –June 2023

Vocational Specialist

• Provide support to individuals with barriers to employment and education attainment and sustainability
• Assess clients and build soft skills needed for employment 
• On the job coaching to ensure successful and sustained employment
• Network building and development with participants, employers and other service providers
• Maintained detailed and accurate records of services provided and comply with all applicable laws, policies and regulations

Behavior Support Technician with Teacher Assistant Certification, ITP Education

• Provide instructional services and behavior support to adolescents ages 12-18 years old who are diagnosed both on the Autism spectrum and with mental disabilities
• Use Applied Behavioral Analysis methods to teach material to individual students 
• Collect academic and behavioral data relevant to the student’s educational plan

Long-term Substitute Teacher

• Covered a variety of subjects with students in a challenging high school environment
• Managed student activity and handled conflicts between students with integrity

Wee Can Preschool and childcare Orchard Park, NY July 2019 –September 2019

Teacher Aide

• Managed 10-15 students, most with challenges such as autism
• Responsible for all aspects of child care and development as well as teaching them how to overcome their challenges

Front End Supervisor 

• Led the largest department in store including 25-30 cashiers and lot associates
• Responsible for performance and development including recognition, customer service and accuracy metrics, training, observations, development plans and biannual reviews
• Additional roles included safety captain, credit captain, clearance sku review and coordinating military discount pilot program

Sales Counselor

• Successfully met or exceeded sales/productivity goals by strategically offering the benefits and value of all Universal Orlando products including Million Dollar Club award
• Fielded and solved a variety of guest ticket and vacation issues 
• Used multiple tools and programs to cater to guest needs in regards to dining, on site Hotel Stays, and Blue Man Group sales.

Store Manager

• Successfully utilized turnaround management skills to transform least profitable store to a highly profitable store within three months 
• Consistently increased revenue growth by 10% - 15% each month
• Led a small team of 6 employees with responsibilities including schedules, payroll, development and accountability
• Increased store sales of company exclusive product from last in district to first within three months

District Manager

• Managed all aspects of individual store operations including employee accountability, product changes, staffing, payroll, location maintenance, daily fuel variances and budgets
• Contributed at the corporate level including budget, salaried staffing, policy and vendor review and updated CEO and executive team bi weekly regarding district updates and project progress reports
• Consistently increased revenue growth by 10% - 15% each month
• Led a small team of 6 employees with responsibilities including schedules, payroll, development and accountability
• Evaluated and minimized operational costs in context of store profitability

Assistant Manager of Retail

• Managed retail operations for Mandalay Bay Events Center as well as 10 other daily retail locations
• Coordinated with performer vendors and contract laborers for event retail 
• Managed opening and closing of three seasonal stores including the $2 million yearly revenue pool store
• Interviewed and hired staff including job fair recruitment
• Planned and coordinated events and promotions for the only Nike Golf store in the U.S. at the time
• Supervised 40+ employees daily in multiple stores throughout the casino while maintaining schedules, payroll and accountability
• Conducted bi-annual inventories including mapping, staging and processing

Retail Guest Service Manager - Epcot

• Managed retail operations throughout Epcot including a “big Box” location at MouseGear and a varied group of themed locations throughout the park
• Revamped and streamlined the Epcot Glow operation including product changes, inventory management, staffing and scheduling adjustments, management and Cast responsibilities. This resulted in a 40% increase in revenue over budget.
• Coordinated internal development, accountability, product knowledge, training and special events for several retail departments
• Consistently exceeded financial and inventory/product management objectives
• Monitored, audited and processed daily cash drawers and deposits
• Partnered with park operations leadership for crowd control, medical emergencies and event management
• Served as a leader, coach and mentor to a diverse staff of 25+ rotating international Cast Members in various roles
• Enhanced the operation with additional programs such as Diversity and Inclusion, College Program (Interns), Pin Trading, and Environmentality

Guest Relations Host - Downtown Disney Area August 2003 – May 2004

Merchandise Host - Disney’s MGM Studios & Disney’s Animal Kingdom September 2000 -August 2003

Accomplishments

• Implemented successful credit, safety, military discount pilot and recognition programs for Home Depot store 1286
• Improved revenue 10 - 20% per quarter, quarterly evaluation scores and reduced shrink for entire district at Green Valley Grocery
• Grew glow toy operation at Epcot from a small operation of 2 locations to an entire department of 12+ locations breaking several sales record in the process, including single day sales record and overall annual revenue record 
• Successfully launched new fragrances and cosmetic programs for Christian Dior and Givenchy exclusively available at the France pavilion at Epcot.
• Promoted to manager within three months as a trainee; First manager trainee assigned to second largest retail location on Disney property 
• Completed Disney’s Great Leader Strategies Enlightened Leadership Series
• 2008 Walt Disney World Environmentality award winner
• 2004 Merchantainment Store of the Year and 2005 Merchantainment Team of the Year
• Recognized multiple times in Main Street Diary and other internal Disney publications for exemplary guest service

Bachelor's in business administration