Ruben Lara
Marysville
Summary
Results-driven and customer-focused Regional Service Manager with extensive experience leading service operations across multiple locations. Proven expertise in driving operational excellence, enhancing customer satisfaction, and achieving organizational goals through strategic planning and team leadership. Adept at managing budgets, streamlining processes, and building high-performing teams to deliver exceptional service and meet KPIs. Skilled in fostering client relationships, implementing service improvement initiatives, and resolving complex challenges to ensure sustained business growth. Known for a collaborative leadership style, strong analytical abilities, and a commitment to quality and innovation.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Territory Manager
Pape Machinery
01.2023 - Current
- Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions and competitor actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals.
- Tracked changing product lines to effectively meet dynamic market demands.
- Increased territory sales revenue by 3% year-over-year through strategic customer acquisition and retention efforts.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with key accounts, ensuring customer satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
- Delivered in-depth product demonstrations and training to customers, enhancing their understanding of equipment features and benefits to meet operational needs.
- Negotiated pricing, terms, and agreements with customers to maximize profitability while ensuring mutual satisfaction.
- Regularly analyzed sales data and prepared detailed reports for senior management, identifying actionable insights to drive continuous improvement.
- Addressed and resolved customer concerns promptly, fostering trust and loyalty among clients.
Freight Broker
American Group LLC
03.2022 - 02.2023
- Manage multiple accounts with freight
- Organize/provide transportation with LTL, FTL, and partial truckloads.
- Planned routes for various shipments according to special events, customer needs and weather.
- Coordinated insurance coverage for goods and packages.
- Achieved own book of customers
- Worked with several private trucking companies to achieve competitive pricing for end user
- Achieved 60% growth in freight volume and revenue by establishing strong relationships with shippers and carriers.
- Built and maintained a reliable network of carriers, ensuring consistent capacity and on-time delivery for all client shipments.
- Successfully negotiated competitive rates with carriers and clients, increasing profit margins while ensuring cost-effective solutions.
- Scheduled and tracked shipments, ensuring efficient routing and timely deliveries to meet client expectations.
- Ensured all freight operations adhered to DOT, FMCSA, and other regulatory requirements, mitigating risks and maintaining legal compliance.
- Leveraged transportation management systems (TMS) to manage freight operations, monitor shipment progress, and generate performance reports.
- Secured new business by prospecting and cold-calling potential clients, expanding the company’s customer base by 15%.
Delivery Revisit Specialist
Pape Machinery Ag & Turf
12.2021 - 02.2022
- Delivered top customer satisfaction, reviewing feedback closely and addressing needs and requests.
- Displayed products properly at customer sites and according to company specifications and policies.
- Displayed products properly at customer sites and according to company specifications and policies
- Trained customers on operation of John Deere Equipment and telematics.
- Demoed equipment to customers while making necessary adjustments to optimize equipment.
- Improved customer satisfaction rates through proactive problem-solving and efficient complaint resolution.
- Implemented customer feedback system to inform product development.
Regional Service Manager
Valley Truck & Tractor
07.2017 - 12.2021
- Was hand selected by the Chief Operations Officer to take over an under performing region and promptly put together a recovery plan that immediately improved the sales and profitability.
- Managed service operations across 5 dealership locations, ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency in all repair and maintenance services.
- Supervised and mentored a team of 30 service technicians and 5 managers, fostering professional development and high performance.
- Consistently achieved or exceeded key performance indicators, including service turnaround times, revenue targets, and customer retention rates.
- Delivered in-depth technical support and troubleshooting for complex equipment issues, ensuring quick resolution and minimizing downtime for customers.
- Managed warranty processes, ensuring accurate claims and compliance with manufacturer guidelines to optimize recovery rates.
- Partnered with dealership sales and parts teams to promote cross-functional alignment, increasing after-sales service revenue.
- Addressed escalated customer complaints and service issues promptly, maintaining dealership reputation and customer loyalty.
- Acted as the primary point of contact with manufacturers to resolve technical issues, and ensure adequate new parts supplies, and facilitate training.
- Contributed to the development of regional service strategies, resulting in a 30 percent growth in service revenue over 18 months.
- Increased the employee engagement score by over 20% by determining key employee issues and promptly resolving them.
Service Manager
Valley Truck & Tractor
03.2015 - 06.2017
- Led 4 field technicians, 4 shop technicians, one service writer and one heavy haul.
- Dispatched and maintained up to one hundred and fifty work orders at any given time.
- Implemented and led a safety program.
- Improved profitability month over month.
- Managed shop tools and service vehicles making sure safety, compliance and maintenance was up to date.
- Defined department objectives and monitored performance.
- Hired, trained, developed and monitored performance of service department staff.
- Oversaw service department budget and informed management of discrepancies.
- Assigned manufacture training to technicians.
- Served as a mentor in various repairs.
- Resolved customer complaints in professional and timely manner.
- Met with customers to discuss service needs and offer available solutions.
Field Service Technician
Valley Truck & Tractor
04.2013 - 02.2015
- Diagnosed and repaired all AG John Deere Equipment.
- Hydraulics, Electrical, and Powertrain.
- Maintained service truck up to safety standards and kept stocked with parts.
- Maintained positive customer relations.
- Completed partial or full dismantling of equipment to quickly repair or replace defective components and restore functionality.
- Proficient user with diagnostic software.
- Followed safety procedures to avoid injuries in field.
- Responded quickly to emergency maintenance requests for timely on-call support.
- Maintained a high level of professionalism in all interactions with clients, consistently receiving positive feedback for exceptional service.
- Reduced downtime with proactive identification of potential issues during regular site visits and routine inspections.
Field Foreman
Joe Heidrick Farms
04.2008 - 03.2013
- Proficiently used I Grade, and Trimble systems for autosteer and land leveling.
- Increased farm productivity by introducing modern farming practices and equipment upgrades.
- Established strong relationships with suppliers to ensure a consistent supply of necessary materials at competitive prices.
- Developed long-term plans for crop rotation, soil management, and sustainable farming practices to maintain soil fertility.
- Harvested various crops, corn, wheat, rice, and vineseed using various harvest equipment.
- Improved equipment utilization rates through proper maintenance and timely repairs, minimizing downtime.
- Managed farm staff efficiently, providing training and guidance for optimal performance.
Education
Automotive Mechanics
American River College
Sacramento, CAGold Service Manager -
John Deere University
GED -
Davis Senior High School
Davis, CA01-2001
Skills
Regional Operations Management
Team Leadership and Development
Customer Relationship Management
Budgeting and Cost Control
Process Optimization and Efficiency
Strategic Planning and Execution
KPI Monitoring and Reporting
Conflict Resolution and Problem Solving
Diesel Engine Repair
Bi- Lingual English & Spanish
Education
Davis, CA
Timeline
Territory Manager
Pape Machinery
01.2023 - Current
Freight Broker
American Group LLC
03.2022 - 02.2023
Delivery Revisit Specialist
Pape Machinery Ag & Turf
12.2021 - 02.2022
Regional Service Manager
Valley Truck & Tractor
07.2017 - 12.2021
Service Manager
Valley Truck & Tractor
03.2015 - 06.2017
Field Service Technician
Valley Truck & Tractor
04.2013 - 02.2015
Field Foreman
Joe Heidrick Farms
04.2008 - 03.2013
Automotive Mechanics
American River College
Gold Service Manager -
John Deere University
GED -
Davis Senior High School
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