Caleb Lavin
Seattle
Summary
Highly proactive hospitality professional with 20+ years of experience in team leadership. A hands-on leader who possesses a relentless focus on revenue generation, P&L study, development of guest relationships and team unification.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations
Ascend Hospitality Group
Bellevue
01.2023 - Current
- Monitored budget and utilized operational resources.
- Defined, implemented, and revised operational policies and guidelines. Developed strategic goals to lower food and beverage costs.
- Oversaw successful implementation of operational strategies and policies to drive organizational growth and productivity.
- Negotiated with vendors, suppliers and other stakeholders to acquire mutually beneficial contracts and agreement. Worked on pricing structures to lower overall core food cost by 3%.
- Analyzed customer feedback and identified areas for improvement to drive business success. Worked to grow Community Score numbers by 0.3 points.
GENERAL MANAGER
ASCEND PRIME STEAK & SUSHI
BELLEVUE
04.2018 - 12.2022
- Monitored budget and utilized operational resources. Grew revenue from $11m to $14m to $19.5m over 3 years.
- Worked with dining room and culinary management to retain and develop original staff while hiring and training new staff to continue our focus on excellence.
- Worked with vendors to provide both optimal pricing for goods and source limited availability products to provide to our guests.
- Analyzed guest feedback through several community score platforms and engaged with both positive and negative reviews to develop our relationship with our guests.
GENERAL MANAGER
BAROLO/CINQUE TERRE RISTORANTE
SEATTLE
03.2017 - 03.2018
- Led two teams of staff specializing in two types of Italian cuisine.
- Wrote and edited schedules for both restaurants to optimize peak business with controlled labor, including 50 staff.
- Oversaw inventory of two large wine lists with nearly 500 bottles and bars.
- Drove business by welcoming new guests and embracing returning regulars to increase sales.
GENERAL MANAGER
PESO’S KITCHEN AND LOUNGE
SEATTLE
04.2016 - 02.2017
- Led operational execution of neighborhood Mexican restaurant with very large group of regular guests featuring one of the busiest nightlife scenes in Seattle with sales over $7m per year.
- Implemented schedule for busy bar and floor, utilizing maximum staffing for peak hours while being mindful of overhead costs. Kept labor under 10% for front of house.
- Oversaw inventory and ordering for liquor, beer and wine.
- Helped promote events and holidays gatherings.
EVENING MANAGER
TOULOUSE PETIT
SEATTLE
03.2014 - 11.2015
- Oversaw operations for $8m operation featuring 2 busy happy hour times.
- Managed and scheduled staff of 30 team members.
- Inventoried and ordered liquor, beer and wine.
- Handled day-to-day financial duties including tip payout.
Education
Associate of Arts - Economics
University of Washington
Seattle2010
Associate of Arts - Mathematics
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA1997
Skills
- Capital Spending
- Motivational Leadership
- Client Advocacy
- Financial Controls Implementation
- Business Management
- Performance Analysis
Timeline
Director of Operations
Ascend Hospitality Group
01.2023 - Current
GENERAL MANAGER
ASCEND PRIME STEAK & SUSHI
04.2018 - 12.2022
GENERAL MANAGER
BAROLO/CINQUE TERRE RISTORANTE
03.2017 - 03.2018
GENERAL MANAGER
PESO’S KITCHEN AND LOUNGE
04.2016 - 02.2017
EVENING MANAGER
TOULOUSE PETIT
03.2014 - 11.2015
Associate of Arts - Economics
University of Washington
Associate of Arts - Mathematics
University of Puget Sound
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