Gayle Hutton
Richmond,VA
Summary
Versatile Managing Director with proven abilities across all levels of organizational management. Talented in developing partnerships, overseeing personnel and developing tactical plans to meet strategic goals. Proven leader with significant background in training and development.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations
First Watch
Richmond, VA
06.2021 - 03.2022
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives.
- Worked collaboratively with functional leaders to implement new procedures and corrective actions to improve quality.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Evaluated performance, adjusted strategies and maintained agile, sustainable operations.
- Led change and transformation across business areas to deliver benefits and align company resources.
- Provided documentation of processes to comply with regulations and company policies.
- Assessed performance management structures and implemented enhancements to improve frameworks and strengthen results.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Directed management meetings to enhance collaboration and maintain culture based on trust and group problem-solving.
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
Operations Manager/General Manager of Operations
First Watch Restaurants
Bowie, MD
10.2014 - 05.2021
- Assist in exceeding established sales, revenue and profitability goals, SLEBITDA movement in a positive direction
- Provide efficient and professional service at an appropriate level to meet or exceed customers' expectations
- Assist in the management of all revenues, cash or credit and company collateral - properly deposited and accounted for and are secured into the Company's operating bank account
- Ensure the integrity and operational functionality of all POS and security systems and equipment
- Manage all internal/external communications in a timely and effective manner
- Guide team members both front of the house and back of the house staff to meet established objectives
- Ensure that the restaurant equipment is kept in satisfactory working order maintaining the highest degree of usability and cleanliness
- Maintain safe working conditions as required by OSHA and federal, state and local governing bodies
- Communicate with other management, hourly employees, and customers, providing positive feedback and promoting a positive image of the restaurant and good employee morale
- Ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of all positions at the restaurant, proficient in performing such duties, and through instruction and supervision, train and develop both other managers and hourly employees
- Regularly counsels and coaches employees, and has the authority to suspend employees pending review of the situation by the General Manager, or discharge an employee immediately for instances of serious misconduct as defined in the Employee Handbook
- Evaluates hourly employees on an on-going basis through proper and effective use of the weekly schedule
- Leads a shift effectively - executes effectively use of the Daily Shift Card and Red Book
- Trains staff in all proper EOD procedures, including check out procedures
- Ensures maintenance of a safe and harassment free workplace
- Takes quick and responsible action in solving problems and able to use reason when dealing with disciplinary issues
- Completes all required paperwork on a timely basis
- Prepares and posts weekly work schedules, and ensures the schedule is implemented properly
- Assists in addressing issues resulting from violations on Health or Steritech Inspections in a timely and professional manner
- Safeguards the Company assets, including funds, equipment, and the facility taking appropriate action as and when necessary
- Assists in completing payroll, weekly, mid period and EOP administration work properly
- Effectively promotes First Watch outside the restaurant
- Obtains and maintains safe food handler certifications
- Through communication with the Regional Manager and Home Office, handles customer and staff incidents, accidents, injuries and complaints in a timely and efficient manner
- Regularly interviews applicants for employment, assisting in making hiring decisions for the restaurant and regularly coaches and includes other managers in the process
- Server
Junior Pastry Sous Chef
Neighborhood Restaurant Group
Washington, DC
06.2013 - 10.2014
- Managed 4 Pastry Assistants and 3 prep cooks for twelve hours daily innovating new efficient products being sold to other restaurants and bakeries within the company
- Scaled, mixed, proofed, and baked various pastry items such as cake batters, baguettes, ciabatta, focaccia, doughnut brioche, burger and hot dog buns, yeast doughnuts, cookies, brownies, marshmallows, pretzels, scones, and muffins at high volumes daily
- Managed smooth service of proper storage, maintained proper HACCP guidelines and followed strict sanitation rules
- Accomplished inventory and ordering procedures maintaining proper purchasing and storage as well as preventing spoilage
- Immediate Contact with Pastry Chefs and bakery managers to handle any ordering/food product questions/issues
- Answered phone calls, took orders, handled catering reservations implementing them into a Microsoft database, and handled customer question/concerns
Assistant Manager, Management Participant Program
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI
05.2010 - 05.2013
- Managed 11 Teaching Assistants and 60 work-study students for nine hours daily innovating new efficient ways to provide the best service to all Culinary and Baking and Pastry Instructors on campus
- Created and managed new smooth service of proper storage, maintained proper HACCP guidelines and followed strict sanitation rules
- Created new and efficient Warehouse inventory guidelines maintaining proper purchasing and storage as well as preventing spoilage
- Assisted Culinary and Pastry Instructors scaling, mixing, proofing, and baking various pastry items such as cake batters, baguettes, ciabatta, focaccia, brioche, Danish, cookies, brownies, pretzels, scones, and muffins at high volumes daily
- Immediate Contact with Culinary Instructors to handle any requisition/food product questions/issues
- Worked front-of-the-house positions (server, host, runner) for various events at Food and Wine Festivals and charity/catering banquets in NY, MA, CT, and RI
- Worked at Johnson and Wales-owned hotels learning reservation implementation, assisting banquet events, running food, answering phone calls, and handling guest issues/concerns
- Set and enforced policies focused on increasing team productivity and strengthening operational efficiency.
PM Shift Supervisor
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI
08.2007 - 05.2010
- Maintaining constant flow of successful foodservice production to culinary and baking and pastry kitchens
- Monitored 30 work-study students ensuring accurate requisition filling and proper food storage
- Assisted Pastry Instructors scaling, mixing, proofing, and baking various pastry items such as cake batters, baguettes, ciabatta, focaccia, brioche, danish, cookies, brownies, pretzels, scones, and muffins at high volumes daily
- Immediate Contact with Storeroom Managers to handle any requisition questions/issues
- Assisted Baking and Pastry Instructors during special events ensuring quality food preparation
Culinary Intern
Culinary, Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI
11.2009 - 03.2010
- Organized, planned, and set-up Garde Manger and Desserts station
- Prepared cold appetizers and plated desserts daily along with assisting in prep for Fish station
- Prepared pre-meal staff sheet for back-of-the-house to communicate with front-of-the-house
- Cleaned kitchen counters, refrigerators and freezers.
- Measured, weighed and mixed appropriate ingredients according to recipe directions.
Education
Master of Science - Hospitality Administration And Management
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI05.2013
Bachelor of Science - Culinary Arts
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI05.2010
Skills
- Recruitment and Hiring
- Training Management
- Goal Setting
- Financial Statement Review
- Quality Assurance
- Problem Anticipation and Resolution
- Customer Service Management
- Employee Motivation
Additional Information
- Willing to relocate: Anywhere, Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Timeline
Director of Operations
First Watch
06.2021 - 03.2022
Operations Manager/General Manager of Operations
First Watch Restaurants
10.2014 - 05.2021
Junior Pastry Sous Chef
Neighborhood Restaurant Group
06.2013 - 10.2014
Assistant Manager, Management Participant Program
Johnson & Wales University
05.2010 - 05.2013
Culinary Intern
Culinary, Johnson & Wales University
11.2009 - 03.2010
PM Shift Supervisor
Johnson & Wales University
08.2007 - 05.2010
Master of Science - Hospitality Administration And Management
Johnson & Wales University
Bachelor of Science - Culinary Arts
Johnson & Wales University