Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Timeline
Generic

David Ward

Brooklyn,USA

Summary

Seasoned Director with background in strategic planning, team leadership, and performance optimization. Known for driving company growth by developing efficient operational strategies and fostering professional relationships. Demonstrated abilities in problem solving, decision making, and communication skills to influence key stakeholders. Proven record of delivering innovative solutions and achieving organizational goals.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Concessions Director

Hudson Yards
New York
08.2022 - Current
  • Direct daily operations for 6 bar and concessions locations, managing a diverse team of 30+ hourly employees and 2 salaried managers to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
  • Oversee annual sales of $30M, employing financial analytics to evaluate sales trends and adjust inventory strategies to maximize revenue and minimize waste, resulting in a 15% increase in profitability year-over-year.
  • Implement comprehensive performance metrics to track sales, labor costs, and customer satisfaction, leading to data-driven decision-making that enhances operational efficiency.
  • Develop and maintain P&L statements for each concession unit, identifying cost-saving opportunities that contribute to the overall financial health of the operation.
  • Coordinate with suppliers to negotiate favorable contracts and pricing, resulting in a 10% reduction in food and beverage costs through strategic purchasing practices.
  • Utilize customer feedback analytics to refine product offerings and improve service delivery, leading to enhanced guest experiences and repeat patronage.

General Manager

Buffalo Wild Wings
Brooklyn
08.2021 - 08.2022
  • Directed comprehensive daily operations for a high-volume restaurant generating $4.3M in annual sales, focusing on maximizing profitability and operational efficiencies.
  • Analyzed sales and labor data weekly to forecast staffing needs, resulting in a 15% reduction in labor costs without compromising service quality.
  • Implemented strategic inventory management techniques, utilizing reporting systems to monitor food costs, leading to a 10% decrease in waste through improved order accuracy and supplier negotiation.
  • Enhanced guest experience by developing training programs based on customer feedback analytics, leading to a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores.
  • Collaborated with corporate on financial reporting and variance analysis, identifying trends that informed cost-cutting measures and promotional strategies, effectively increasing revenue during peak seasons.

Food and Beverage Operations Director

Sodexo/Georgia Tech University
Atlanta, GA
10.2018 - 05.2020
  • Assumed financial responsibility for a campus food service operation serving up to 55,000 attendees for major sporting events, establishing budgets and achieving financial targets consistently across a $5M annual operational budget.
  • Developed performance metrics and reporting frameworks to analyze revenue streams and labor costs, which contributed to achieving cost-saving initiatives totaling $250,000 annually.
  • Optimized supplier contracts through rigorous market analysis and bidding processes, realizing increased savings of 15% on average across food purchases by bargaining for better terms based on historical data.
  • Trained management on financial analytics software to allow for real-time tracking of performance metrics related to food costs and sales, leading to more informed decision-making.
  • Streamlined compliance with health and safety regulations, significantly reducing risk-related costs and maintaining 100% compliance in inspections.

Senior Supervisor

Levy Restaurants at Barclay's Center
Brooklyn, NY
09.2012 - 09.2018
  • Managed the financial operations of a venue generating $30M annually, overseeing the performance of 14 stands and 3 portable locations with a combined annual revenue of $60M.
  • Conducted monthly profitability analyses including sales projections, cash flow assessments, and inventory audits, ensuring all operations remained within budget.
  • Launched the "Brooklyn Taste" culinary initiative, leveraging local market analytics to curate a menu that increased sales by 20% and improved brand loyalty among customers.
  • Developed and implemented point-of-sale data tracking systems that recorded sales performance in real-time, leading to proactive adjustments in staffing and inventory levels based on live sales data.
  • Championed efforts in customer service excellence, utilizing guest feedback and satisfaction metrics to train staff, resulting in consistent guest satisfaction scores exceeding 90%.Managed 6 supervisors - over 250+ employees - Union & Nonunion
  • Directed $30M annual sales - 14 Stands/ 3 Portables - each unit with 15 to 10 employees
  • Overall $60M annual sales on property
  • Deliver a high level of hospitality and customer service to all guests of the Barclay's Center, resulting in guest satisfaction surveys more than 90%
  • Oversaw and brought to life the 'Brooklyn Taste' concept throughout the venue
  • Working with Celebrity chefs to specialize in signature dishes, craft beers and cocktails while delivering 'Brooklyn's Taste' service to our quests
  • Responsible for financial accountability of stand locations, including end of month inventory, cashier variance logs, register reconciliations, register audits, stand revenue balancing, scheduling and supervisor training
  • Implemented and maintained sanitation standards that lead to letter A grade from the NYCHA
  • Responsible for developing and executing warehouse solutions
  • Initiate and provide a wide variety of warehouse solutions to meet customer and client needs

Assistant Manager/Key Holder

Oreck of Brooklyn
Brooklyn, NY
09.2010 - 09.2012
  • Spearheaded recruitment and training of team members, focusing on developing customer service skills through performance metrics tracking and sales training.
  • Analyzed sales data to improve store layout and merchandising strategies, leading to a 30% increase in sales within the first year.
  • Managed inventory accountability, optimizing stock levels through data-driven assessments that enhanced turnover rates and minimized stockouts.

Freight Flow Area Supervisor

Kohl's Department Store
Brooklyn, NY
11.2005 - 12.2011
  • Supervised day-to-day freight operations, ensuring efficient unloading and stocking processes of all incoming freight to exceed sales alignment goals.
  • Analyzed freight costs and assessed productivity, implementing corrective measures that reduced labor costs by 10% while improving team efficiency.
  • Created and communicated KPIs for performance tracking, empowering teams to meet and exceed daily and monthly targets through data-driven objectives.

Assistant Manager/Key Holder

Family Dollar
Brooklyn, NY
01.2009 - 05.2010
  • Assisted in managing store operational strategies focused on loss prevention and inventory control, successfully reducing shrinkage rates by 15% through improved auditing practices.
  • Analyzed customer purchasing patterns to optimize merchandise placement and promotional strategies, driving consistent increases in sales year-over-year.Supervised/trained/and developed Team Members on Family Dollar operating practices
  • Supported Store Manager in loss prevention efforts and assumed the role of Acting Store Manager in his absence
  • Greeted and assisted customers in a positive and approachable manner
  • Organized merchandise and assisted with transfers (RTM) also merchandising from stockroom to floor/store merchandise ordering

Skills

  • Operations Management
  • Contract Management
  • Project Coordination
  • Business Planning
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Project Management
  • Organizational Development
  • Staff Management
  • Staff Development
  • Issues Resolution

Timeline

Concessions Director

Hudson Yards
08.2022 - Current

General Manager

Buffalo Wild Wings
08.2021 - 08.2022

Food and Beverage Operations Director

Sodexo/Georgia Tech University
10.2018 - 05.2020

Senior Supervisor

Levy Restaurants at Barclay's Center
09.2012 - 09.2018

Assistant Manager/Key Holder

Oreck of Brooklyn
09.2010 - 09.2012

Assistant Manager/Key Holder

Family Dollar
01.2009 - 05.2010

Freight Flow Area Supervisor

Kohl's Department Store
11.2005 - 12.2011
David Ward