Alydar Pecka
Roselle,IL
Summary
Operations-driven retail leader with extensive experience managing high-volume environments, complex logistics, and large team operations. Proven track record of improving inventory accuracy, strengthening food safety compliance, and driving measurable gains in guest satisfaction and operational performance. Recognized for developing high-performing teams, optimizing operational processes, and leading initiatives that improve efficiency, profitability, and brand standards.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Food & Beverage Team Lead
Target
2024 - Current
- Led all Food & Beverage operations, managing a team of 10 Starbucks baristas and 12 Market Team members, accountable for sales growth, labor planning, food safety, and guest satisfaction.
- Recognized on a group level for Steritech Food Safety visits; Consistently delivering perfect food safety audit results through rigorous sanitation routines, compliance systems, and employee training. Additionally, receiving a perfect score from Steritech on their Starbucks Coffee House Walk visits
- Maintained an industry-leading .90% INF (Item Not Found) rate for fulfillment, far out-performing the company's ≤3% goal and directly driving guest satisfaction and efficiency.
- Achieved 97% On-Shelf Availability (OSA) across FDC and vendor-managed categories, ensuring product reliability for both in-store guests and online fulfillment.
- Currently executing a pilot program for truck completion, creating new efficiency models for food logistics; other leaders have observed and adopted this process as a best practice.
- Responsible for re-profiling the backroom to increase sales floor fill and improve overall inventory accuracy, strengthening efficiency and productivity.
- Increased Starbucks sales by $3.10 per transaction while maintaining sustained comp sales growth across all Food & Beverage categories.
- Elevated Guest Connection Scores from 32 → 80 in just two months, sustaining 90+ scores long-term, positioning the café among the top in the district.
- Developed a talent pipeline: promoted 2 baristas to Master Barista within 6 months; both became district trainers, and one advanced to department leadership in another store.
- Hosted community engagement events (Shop with a Cop, Coffee with the Council, Mommy & Me Cake Pop Decorating) to build loyalty, increase sales, and connect Starbucks to the community.
- Built a high-energy culture with launch contests, recognition programs, and team-driven engagement, creating excitement around seasonal launches and daily operations.
- Scheduled strategically to reflect guest traffic patterns, survey feedback, and barista input, ensuring labor coverage matched demand while boosting team morale and guest experience.
- Drove Food Safety Audit scores from 57% → 100%, positioning the store as a district training ground for compliance excellence.
Special Projects Lead (Inventory + Remodels)
Target
2022 - 2024
- Worked alongside 3 other leaders to direct a team of 120 across logistics and inventory, driving large-scale operational excellence.
- Increased inventory accuracy from 68% (Regis benchmark) → 94% with the team I led, directly improving stock reliability for both fulfillment and sales floor teams.
- Surpassed the productivity rate of Regis Inventory, the national benchmark, by implementing advanced workflows and team accountability systems.
- Saved 800 payroll hours compared to the previous year through schedule optimization, process redesign, and labor efficiency.
- While leading multi-store inventory operations, piloted supplemental Ulta Beauty inventory audits outside the standard store inventory to evaluate profit/loss trends and support asset protection strategy.
- Designed and led training programs to improve counting accuracy, productivity tracking, and operational consistency, raising team performance across all shifts.
- Led two full-scale store remodels, consistently delivering results on time and exceeding expectations in sales readiness, team training, and guest experience.
- Directed the build-out of Ulta Beauty inside Target, partnering with construction crews while training store leaders on Ulta operations, merchandising, and brand execution.
- Applied deep visual merchandising expertise (VMG) to flawlessly execute corporate layouts, while training remodel teams to maintain those standards post-launch.
- Oversaw freight flow and completion during remodels, balancing construction constraints with guest-ready sales floor conditions.
- Drove exceptional results in Target loyalty metrics, with remodel locations ranking #1 and #2 out of 35 stores during competitive performance tracking.
- Recognized as the go-to leader for remodel execution, trusted to integrate operations, people leadership, and merchandising into complex, high-stakes projects.
Service & Engagement Team Lead
Target
2021 - 2022
- Led all front-of-store operations, managing a team of 30+ service and checkout team members, with full responsibility for closing the building, securing the store, and overseeing all cash operations.
- Increased Net Promoter Score (NPS) from 60% → 93%, setting a new district benchmark for guest satisfaction through targeted coaching, engagement strategies, and real-time feedback loops.
- Drove Target Circle Card results by making loyalty a team standard, connecting guests to benefits and strengthening long-term brand engagement.
- Promoted 4 team members into leadership positions and trained 7 other leaders across the district to take on my role, serving as the district trainer for Service & Engagement.
- Served as the captain of the Diversity & Inclusivity Committee, organizing events and initiatives that strengthened community partnerships and built a positive, inclusive culture.
- Played a critical role in scaling Target Drive Up Service during COVID-19, cutting wait times and setting the tone for district-wide execution of the program.
- Created a culture of accountability and recognition, driving both performance and morale, resulting in consistently strong operational audits and team retention.
Bar Manager
Crave
2014 - 2020
- Efficiently managed day-to-day operations of a high-volume bar, ensuring smooth service and customer satisfaction.
- Led and motivated a team of six bartenders and support staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
- Implemented marketing and promotional strategies that increased sales.
- Maintained high standards of customer service, addressing customer complaints and ensuring a positive guest experience.
- Oversaw inventory management, including ordering, stocking, and tracking supplies to minimize waste and control costs.
- Conducted regular training sessions for staff on best practices, new products, and customer service techniques.
- Ensured compliance with health, safety, and alcohol regulations, maintaining a clean and safe environment for patrons and staff.
- Organized and executed successful events and promotions, driving traffic and increasing revenue.
Front of House Manager
Olive Garden
2009 - 2014
- Promoted from Server → Bartender → Assistant Manager, reflecting sustained high performance, leadership capability, and trust from senior management.
- Led onboarding, training, and development of new Assistant Managers, strengthening leadership pipeline and operational consistency across locations.
- Owned staffing, scheduling, and labor optimization, aligning forecasted sales with labor targets to control costs while maintaining service standards.
- Conducted cash handling audits, POS transaction reviews, and receipt integrity checks to identify ringing accuracy, prevent theft, and reduce revenue loss.
- Managed food cost controls, waste reduction initiatives, and inventory accountability, minimizing shrink and improving margin performance.
- Facilitated menu rollout training sessions for front-of-house teams, ensuring product knowledge, upsell execution, and brand consistency.
- Performed operational audits and floor observations, coaching teams on policy compliance, service standards, and loss prevention best practices.
- Supported multi-unit operations, stepping in to stabilize staffing, support leadership teams, and maintain performance during high-volume or short-staffed periods.
- Drove team engagement and performance conversations, aligning team members to roles that maximized strengths, retention, and guest experience.
- Served as a trusted escalation point for guest recovery, employee relations, and real-time operational decision-making.
Education
Associate of Science -
Illinois Center For Broadcasting
2009
High School Diploma -
John Hersey
2007
Skills
Multi-Unit Operations Leadership
Team Development & Talent Pipeline Building
Guest Experience & Brand Standards Excellence
Strategic Operations Planning & Execution
Inventory Strategy, Supply Chain & Shrink Reduction
Food Safety Compliance & Steritech Audit Excellence
Process Improvement & Operational Efficiency
Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Alignment
Asset Protection & Loss Prevention Strategy
Inclusive Culture Leadership & Team Engagement
Timeline
Food & Beverage Team Lead
Target
2024 - Current
Special Projects Lead (Inventory + Remodels)
Target
2022 - 2024
Service & Engagement Team Lead
Target
2021 - 2022
Bar Manager
Crave
2014 - 2020
Front of House Manager
Olive Garden
2009 - 2014
Associate of Science -
Illinois Center For Broadcasting
High School Diploma -
John Hersey