Benjamin Van Vactor
La Salle,IL
Summary
Service manager and hospitality professional with 20+ years of experience leading teams, resolving guest concerns, and improving front-end operations through strong communication, POS knowledge, and customer satisfaction focus.
Overview
1
1
Certification
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Service Manager, Wahlburgers Lead, Cheese Special
Hy-Vee
Peru, Illinois
05.2020 - 09.2026
- Supervised Hy-Vee front-end service desk and checkout operations.
- Trained team members on Hy-Vee guest service standards.
- Resolved customer complaints and store service issues.
- Coordinated cashier schedules and daily lane coverage.
- Monitored refunds, returns, and gift card transactions.
- Supported front-end compliance with store policies and safety rules.
- Communicated store updates to cashiers, courtesy clerks, and guests.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers, vendors, and suppliers.
- Managed service staff to ensure customer satisfaction and compliance with company policies.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings by listening to complaints and finding appropriate solutions to problems.
- Prioritized and delegated daily work tasks to meet anticipated project goals.
- Conducted regular team meetings to discuss customer feedback, process improvements, and operational objectives.
- Motivated and supported employees to maintain low turnover.
- Collaborated with customers to offer solutions to service needs.
- Created employee work schedules to keep shifts properly staffed.
- Upheld team productivity and quality objectives by setting and maintaining clear benchmarks for service.
- Adhered to customer service standards to foster satisfaction and retention.
- Created standard operating procedures for all service functions.
- Coordinated with other departments within the organization to ensure seamless delivery of services.
- Trained new employees on the use of customer relationship management software systems.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to services provided.
- Forecasted department goals and objectives and enforced deadlines for quality service and speedy task completion.
- Developed strategies for improving customer experience through enhanced product features or improved processes.
- Assisted in the development of marketing campaigns targeted at increasing sales opportunities from existing clients.
Server, Lead Bartender, OSHA Compliance Officer
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center
Utica, Illinois
08.2007 - 04.2016
- Monitored guest needs throughout service and resolved requests promptly.
- Provided excellent customer service to ensure satisfaction.
- Provided exceptional service to high volume of daily customers.
- Took orders from customers accurately and in a timely manner.
- Greeted customers, answered questions, and recommended specials to increase profits.
- Displayed enthusiasm and knowledge about restaurant's menu and products.
- Followed up with licensees to verify adherence to requirements.
- Issued official approvals in instances of achieved or exceeded compliance standards.
- Conferred frequently with specialists to stay current on compliance requirements and procedures.
- Collected and reviewed data to identify potential compliance issues requiring further review.
- Provided guidance on legal requirements related to the organization's operations.
Education
High School Diploma -
Fort Collins High School
Fort Collins, CO05-1998
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Front Range Community College
Fort CollinsAssociate of Arts - Gender Studies
Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, ILSkills
- With over 20 years of customer service experience I have a natural ability to communicate and entertain guests
- Having worked with multiple Point of Sales systems I've become well versed in how to submit and read orders
- I have a vast knowledge of various cocktails as I was a mixologist for years
- My latest job at Hy-Vee was a cheese specialist so I've gained vast knowledge over different cheeses and regions from whence they are produced
- Over all, my goal is to make every guest happy and comfortable!
Certification
- Illinois Basset
- Manager Food Handler
- OSHA Certified
Timeline
Service Manager, Wahlburgers Lead, Cheese Special
Hy-Vee
05.2020 - 09.2026
Server, Lead Bartender, OSHA Compliance Officer
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center
08.2007 - 04.2016
High School Diploma -
Fort Collins High School
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Front Range Community College
Associate of Arts - Gender Studies
Illinois Valley Community College