Valerie Whelan
Office & Operations Manager · LAT49 Board Technologies
Redmond, WA
In My Own Words
With over 8 years of experience in managing customer service, sales, and operations in the outdoor sporting goods industry, I am currently in management at Lat49 Board Technologies, a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-quality snowboards. I am responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows, and maintaining excellent relationships with our direct-to-consumer and business-to-business clients.
I am passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences and solving complex problems, whether they involve operations, systems, or human interactions. I am candid, straightforward, and honest, and I always communicate what I think and how I feel something should be done. I am also driven, skilled, and customer-focused, and I constantly seek to improve and grow in my field of expertise. My goal is to contribute to the success and growth of a business and to support its mission of creating innovative and sustainable products for outdoor enthusiasts.
Work Experience
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER & GLOBAL INSIDE SALES MANAGER | OBRIEN WATERSPORTS / ARBOR SNOWBOARDS
MOTION SPORTS OF AMERICA, LLC2017 – 2023
SEPTEMBER 2017 - PRESENT * Started as a customer service representative upon Motion acquiring Arbor Snowboards to supply order and warranty services to customers and dealers/retailers across the US & Canada. Quickly moved into Customer Service Manager in 2019. * Manage a team of customer service representatives that provide support to our sales reps, their dealers and direct customers via phone and email to solve order issues, product issues and warranty as well as overall recommendations on products we provide. * In 2020 I took on International Sales position for Arbor Snowboards and was in charge of acquiring all payments and orders of snowboards and bindings for various distributors across the world, such as Germany, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, China, Japan and so on. Working with factories and logistics to ensure products arrive fully and on time. * Moved to Global Inside Sales Manager for Arbor Snowboards while still being CSM for both Obrien & Arbor CS team. Being the GISM, I oversee product orders, supply and logistics to ensure our international distributors across the world receive product from our factories. As well as the same for our domestic and Canada reps, dealers & retailers, including large volume accounts such as REI, EVO & Backcountry.com. * Worked with a great team of people to increase our sales exponentially since 2017, including a 66% increase over 2021 sales for 2022. We plan sales meetings in various locales, work closely with our factories in Dubai & China on logistics, freight & customs issues, and provide our on-road sales rep team everything needed to create the stellar ability to sell this fun.
BAR/RESTAURANT MANAGER
RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT2015 – 2017
* We had a smaller staff here. Managed about 10 people. Created a cross-training program to ensure that the FOH and the BOH could all confidently perform in all positions. Including taking the steps to get necessary training and certifications. * Created seasonal drinks to work along side the head chef's seasonal dishes, to create a homey atmosphere. This was, after all, an extended stay hotel, we had guests staying for months at times. * Successfully redesigned the inventory system they were using to be more practical and logical.
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