Tara Soukup

About Tara Soukup

I am an operations and program management professional focused on improving profitability, efficiency, and reliability across logistics, fulfillment, and customer operations. In my current role at a fast-growing direct-to-consumer e-commerce brand, I lead cross-functional initiatives that optimize shipping, returns, vendor relationships, and operational systems. My work centers on turning complex processes into scalable workflows that improve both financial performance and customer experience. Recent impact includes: • Generated >$100K in annual cost savings and revenue capture through shipping, fulfillment, and pricing optimization initiatives • Increased gross margin from ~55% to over 61% year-over-year through discount and operational strategy improvements • Negotiated carrier contracts that reduced shipping losses and improved delivery reliability • Implemented automated returns and warranty workflows that streamlined operations and reduced manual workload • Integrated print-on-demand fulfillment systems to expand product offerings while reducing warehouse complexity • Recovered $24K+ in shipping credits through logistics auditing and vendor management I thrive in environments where operations, systems, and strategy intersect, and I enjoy solving problems that improve efficiency, reduce risk, and drive sustainable growth. Core strengths include: Operations Management Program & Project Management Process Improvement Supply Chain & Logistics Vendor Negotiation Workflow Automation Cost Reduction & Margin Optimization Cross-Functional Leadership

Experience

1. Customer Service and Logistics Manager

   J Skis

   Feb 2024 — Present · VT, US

   I lead operations, logistics, and customer experience for a fast-paced direct-to-consumer ski brand, overseeing fulfillment, systems, and customer support while driving process improvements that increase profitability, efficiency, and scalability.I manage end-to-end customer service operations year-round (hiring, training, SOPs, and multi-channel support) and serve as frontline operations lead during peak season (Aug–Mar). I also own 3PL coordination, shipping performance, returns/warranty systems, product setup, and Shopify-based workflows.Key Impact:• Generated $100K+ in cost savings and revenue improvements through shipping, fulfillment, and pricing optimization• Increased gross margin from ~55% to 61%+ through operational and discount strategy improvements• Reduced discount spend by ~$360K year-over-year• Recovered $24K+ in shipping credits through logistics auditing and vendor negotiations• Improved shipping reliability by renegotiating carrier contracts and reducing fulfillment issues• Doubled ExpertVoice prodeal revenue YoY through program optimization• Implemented automated returns and warranty workflows, reducing manual workload and improving efficiency• Integrated print-on-demand fulfillment (Printful) to expand products while reducing warehouse complexityCore Responsibilities:• Customer service leadership (chat, email, SMS, phone)• 3PL coordination (fulfillment, returns, warranties)• Freight, import timelines, and inventory flow management• Shopify + system integrations (VL, HelpScout, Klaviyo, etc.)• SKU setup, bundles, preorders, and product launches• Website merchandising, FAQs, and policy management• Cross-functional coordination across ops, product, and vendors• Continuous process improvement across fulfillment and CX systems

Education

• Penn State University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biobehavioral Health

  2012 — 2016

• Community College of Allegheny County

  Emergency Medical Technician , Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)

  2017 — 2017

Skills

• Logistics Management
• Team Leadership
• Organization Skills
• Behavioral Health
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Publisher
• Powerpoint
• Lifeguarding
• Intercollegiate Athletics
• Recreation Planning
• Outdoor Recreation
• Skiing
• Whitewater Canoeing
• Caving
• Leave No Trace
• Wilderness First Aid Certified
• Mountain Biking
• Artistic Abilities
• Customer Service
• Event Planning
• Leadership
• Social Media
• Teamwork
• Social Networking
• Time Management
• Management
• Facebook
• Project Management
• Cpr Certified
• Emt