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

OLV Human Services   Lackawanna, NY                                                                September 2019 –April 2021

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

Charter School for Applied Technologies    Buffalo, NY                           March 2018 –July 2019

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

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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

The Home Depot   Hamburg, NY                                                                         October 2017 – January 2019

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

Universal Orlando   Orlando, FL                                                                                April 2016 – March 2017 

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.

ABC Fine Wine and Liquors   Orlando, FL                                                     October 2014 – June 2015 

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

     Green Valley Grocery  Las Vegas, Nevada                                                        March 2012 – November 2013

     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

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino   Las Vegas, Nevada                                             March 2009 – March 2012

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

Walt Disney World Resort    Lake Buena Vista, Florida                                     May 2004 – March 2009

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