Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Timeline
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Stephen Hicks

Cabot

Summary

Accomplished U.S. Air Force senior leader with 24 years of experience managing large-scale budgets, optimizing resource use, and ensuring financial accountability across diverse missions. While not formally titled as a cost analyst, regularly performed cost tracking, expenditure forecasting, and variance analysis to support operational readiness. Adept at leading teams, standardizing processes, and aligning financial decisions with strategic goals. Brings a disciplined, analytical mindset and a strong foundation in cost-conscious decision-making.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner / Operations & Finance Manager

VIP Nutrition
08.2023 - 05.2025
  • Managed day-to-day operations of a fast-paced nutrition store generating over $200K in annual revenue, overseeing inventory control, customer service, and staff scheduling.
  • Developed and maintained financial reporting and budgeting processes, including monthly P&L statements and cash flow analysis, resulting in consistent profitability and a 15% increase in net margin.
  • Reduced monthly operational expenses by 18% by renegotiating supplier contracts and optimizing inventory purchasing based on sales trends.
  • Created detailed sales and inventory dashboards using Excel, enabling data-driven pricing and promotional decisions that increased average monthly sales by 20%.
  • Recruited, trained, and led a team of 5 employees, achieving 100% shift coverage and improving employee retention by 25% over two years.
  • Executed local marketing campaigns and customer loyalty programs that boosted monthly foot traffic by 30% and increased repeat customer sales by 40%.
  • Ensured full compliance with all health, safety, and business regulations, passing all inspections with zero violations.

Operations Manager / Senior Leader

United States Air Force
07.2019 - 07.2023
  • Directed daily operations and resource management for four functional areas—Security Forces, Comptroller Squadron, Equal Opportunity, and Inspector General offices—leading a team of 35+ personnel.
  • Managed oversight of an annual combined budget exceeding $20 million, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with federal regulations and Air Force policies.
  • Collaborated with financial specialists to monitor spending, analyze cost variances, and optimize resource allocation, contributing to a 12% reduction in unnecessary expenditures over two years.
  • Spearheaded process improvement initiatives that reduced administrative processing time by 25%, improving efficiency in compliance audits and reporting.
  • Developed and delivered training programs on leadership, compliance, and data management tools (including advanced Microsoft Excel), resulting in a 30% increase in team productivity and data accuracy.
  • Led security operations and emergency response coordination, maintaining 100% mission readiness and reducing response times by 15%.
  • Served as senior advisor to commanders on personnel management, policy compliance, and risk mitigation, facilitating data-driven decision-making aligned with strategic objectives.
  • Implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives in the Equal Opportunity office, increasing participation in programs by 40% and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

Logistics and Resources Manager

United States Air Force
09.2016 - 07.2019
  • Managed a $2 million annual logistics budget for a 400+ member team, optimizing resource allocation to meet organizational goals.
  • Reduced equipment and supply expenses by 15% through strategic forecasting and vendor negotiations.
  • Maintained accountability for $7 million in high-value assets with 99.8% inventory accuracy, supporting seamless operations.
  • Led a 5-person team, improving process efficiency by 20% and ensuring compliance with organizational policies.

Education

Master of Science - Operations Management

University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
01-2016

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

Faulkner University
Montgomery, AL
01-2005

Timeline

Owner / Operations & Finance Manager

VIP Nutrition
08.2023 - 05.2025

Operations Manager / Senior Leader

United States Air Force
07.2019 - 07.2023

Logistics and Resources Manager

United States Air Force
09.2016 - 07.2019

Master of Science - Operations Management

University of Arkansas

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

Faulkner University

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Stephen Hicks