Keith King – Project Management Showcase

Find full project deep-dives and narrative case studies here:
https://www.keithking.com/product-management-showcase/

🧰 Grainger – KeepStock Field Implementation & Process Optimization

Full Time Role: OnSite Sales Rep / Interim Manager, KeepStock Operations
Timeline: Apr 2017 – Present
Location: South Dakota Region
Tools: Excel (automation/macros), KeepStock systems, PowerPoint, internal beta platforms, Microsoft Teams

🔍 Overview

Over 8 years, I’ve played a critical role in the frontline execution and continuous improvement of Grainger’s KeepStock managed inventory program. Beyond servicing major accounts, I’ve taken on responsibilities well outside my role—building tools, mentoring teammates, and stepping into leadership when the team needed it most.

🎯 Key Contributions

• Led large-scale installs and restructured failing accounts, including a major reassignment to one of the region’s largest accounts to restructure for quality improvement, quickly rebuilding trust and operational consistency.
• Served as Interim Manager (Apr–Jul 2024), handling routing, team support, training, and day-to-day operations across the territory.
• Created an Excel-based automation tool to streamline schema and label updates for vending and KeepStock systems, reducing manual entry time across the region.
• Mentored new teamates—serving as the main field contact for onboarding and troubleshooting.
• Supported disengagements and post-install remediations, using field knowledge to improve performance and customer retention.
• Beta tested internal Grainger apps, providing practical UX and functionality feedback from a real-world field perspective.

📈 Impact

• Regional adoption of Excel automation tools
• Leadership recognized during manager vacancy period
• Supported culture of field innovation and team development

🚀 Why It Matters

This role grounded me in what works at scale—and what breaks. It taught me how to lead without a title, how to fix things no one asked me to fix, and how to think both tactically and strategically about customer experience, retention, and internal processes.

🧾 Previous Experience – Sales, Marketing, and Service Leadership

Roles: Sales Manager, Marketing Manager, Program Director, Aftermarket Sales Rep
Companies: Creative Printing, Brookings Radio, Schuneman Equipment, Sprint/Swiftel, Argus Leader
Timeline: 1998 – 2017
Tools: Salesforce, QuickBooks, Radio Production Software, CRM Systems, InDesign, MS Office

🔍 Overview

Before joining Grainger, I spent nearly two decades in customer-facing roles across print, media, telecom, and equipment sales. I consistently earned leadership responsibilities and played hands-on roles in launching new branches, managing key accounts, leading advertising and branding efforts, and building strong client relationships.

🎯 Highlights

• Opened a new branch office for Creative Printing in Brookings, overseeing setup, sales, and operations.
• Managed ad campaigns and magazine revenue for a new print publication, combining client acquisition and creative production.
• Directed programming and hosted a live morning show as Program Director at KJJQ-AM.
• Provided the voice and produced radio/TV ads for multiple brands including Schuneman Equipment.
• Built lasting client relationships in aftermarket parts sales and communication services.

🚀 Why It Matters

These roles sharpened my communication skills, taught me how to work directly with customers in high-trust environments, and gave me real-world experience building things from the ground up—skills I’ve carried into every project since.

🚜 TractorPal – Mobile App for Equipment Maintenance & Inventory

Role: Founder & Owner
Timeline: Oct 2012 – Present
Website: TractorPal.com
Tools: Trello, GitHub, Canva, iMovie, Ionic Framework, Upwork, Google Drive

🔍 Project Overview

TractorPal is a mobile app that helps farmers and contractors track equipment maintenance and inventory. I founded and led the development from idea to execution and growth.

🎯 Goals

• Create a simple digital logbook for machinery
• Use freemium model to drive revenue
• Build a growing and engaged user base

🔧 My Role

• Defined product vision and roadmap
• Created wireframes and UX mockups
• Hired developers via Upwork; managed sprints with Trello
• Designed branding and ads in Canva; video promos in iMovie
• Launched cross-platform with Ionic
• Handled all customer support and feedback collection
• Managed LLC, financials, and tax preparation

📈 Results

• 20K+ downloads | 4.5+ star reviews
• $15K raised in seed funding
• Awarded: 1st Place Brookings Idea Contest, Best Reader Interest by Farm Industry News

🚀 Next Steps

• Introduce ad-supported model for free users
• Add dealership partnership features

📡 Drone Services (FAA Part 107 Certified)

Role: Commercial Drone Pilot
Timeline: Dec 2024 – Present

🔍 Overview

Commercial FAA Part 107 certified drone operator offering aerial photography, inspection, and media services.

🎯 Focus Areas

• Real estate
• Agriculture
• Events and promotions

🔧 Skills & Tools

• FAA regulations & flight safety
• Drone equipment and camera control
• Route planning and airspace awareness
• Image editing and delivery

🌈 IoT Friendship Lamps

Role: Product Creator
Timeline: Dec 2023 – Present
Tools: Tinkercad, Cura, 3D Printer, Arduino, Custom web UI

🔍 Project Overview

A fun and emotional IoT device for long-distance friends/family. When one lamp is touched, all others light up in the selected color.

🔧 My Role

• Designed and 3D-printed enclosures
• Created prototypes using Ender S1 Pro and woodworking
• Partnered with a hardware/software engineer to build cloud platform
• Added gamified features (e.g., “King of the Hill”)

📈 Outcomes

• Fully functional prototype set of 5 lamps
• Future plans: user login, firmware updates, expansion packs

🧮 Excel Automation Tools

Role: Developer & Workflow Optimizer
Timeline: 2015 – Present
Tools: Excel (VBA, macros), barcode scanners

🔍 Projects

• KeepStock Schema Tool: Automated inventory label updates across client accounts
• Monthly Report Generator: Created inventory spreadsheet automation for statewide rollout

📈 Outcomes

• Drastically cut manual entry time
• Widespread team adoption
• Included embedded guides and tutorials

🎤 Voice-Over Talent

Role: Voice Actor & Copywriter
Timeline: 2007 – Present

🔍 Scope

• Hundreds of radio ads, on-hold messages, social media promos
• Scriptwriting + professional editing
• YouTube narration and character voices

🌱 Living Clean Microgreens

Role: Co-Founder
Timeline: March 2024 – February 2025
Website: LivingCleanMicrogreens.com

🔍 Project Overview

A sustainable microgreens business built from scratch, with direct-to-consumer and restaurant sales.

🔧 My Role

• Built brand, designed labels (Canva)
• Constructed grow room and built SOPs
• Piloted subscription model
• Managed marketing, financials, and delivery

🎧 ProKing Entertainment / PowerHouse DJs

Role: Founder & MC
Timeline: 1999 – 2023

🔍 Overview

Two successful DJ companies grown from idea to sale.

🔧 Highlights

• Hosted 1000+ weddings/events
• Built a referral network and increased rates 400%
• Managed CRM, planning tools, and finances

🌽 Agriculture Land Trustee

Role: Land Management Lead
Timeline: Jan 2023 – Present

🔍 Duties

• Lease negotiation, advertising, and reporting
• Conservation programs and revenue optimization
• Partnered with USDA, added renewable lease
• Added drainage tile investment for better tillable land

🎃 Haunted Garage

Role: Founder & Creative Director
Timeline: July 2020 – Present
Tools: SketchUp, iMovie, YouTube, Facebook

🔍 Overview

Annual haunted attraction built for Halloween fun and fundraising. New themes and layouts each year.

🔧 My Role

• Designed all scenes in SketchUp
• Managed actors and volunteers
• Produced promo content and YouTube walkthroughs
• Donated proceeds to local theatre departments

📝 TimelessPoem.com

Role: Founder & Digital Archivist
Timeline: 2020 – Present
Website: TimelessPoem.com
Tools: WordPress, OCR, Canva, YouTube, Facebook

🔍 Overview

Scanned and archived 2,000+ poems from a 100-year-old family scrapbook, transforming them into a searchable online database and content channel.

📈 Future Plans

• Use AI tools to generate readings
• Add ecommerce for prints
• Invite user submissions and interpretations
• Scan and add images of actual poems to the website

📻 The Ranch 910 AM

Role: Program Director
Timeline: 2010 – 2011

🔍 Responsibilities

• Built the station from zero to full broadcast
• Curated playlists, hosted shows, wrote promos
• Sold ads, created station branding

💻 SiteKing Creations

Role: Digital Creator & Community Builder
Timeline: 1997 – Present

🔍 Work Highlights

• Built 10+ websites with WordPress and Dreamweaver
• Managed pages with 1M+ followers, sold Facebook group
• Launched and ran local page with 20K+ members
• Offered tech support, CRM setup, invoicing, and design

🛠 Construction Projects

Role: General Contractor (Personal Projects)
Timeline: Ongoing

🔍 Scope

• Designed full house blueprints in SketchUp
• Managed timeline and budget
• Completed basement builds and custom rooms