Candace Smith
Summary
Dedicated professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Director of Operations Premium
Levy
08.2024 - Current
- Collaborate with senior management to develop and execute long-term corporate goals and objectives.
- Analyze business operations and implement strategies to improve operational growth and productivity to meet KPI's.
- Analyze customer feedback and identify areas for improvement to drive business success.
- Tracks trends and suggests enhancements to refine company's product offerings.
- Reduce financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying invoices.
- Manage the planning & logistics of large events.
- Implemented contingency plans to address last-minute changes or unforeseen events.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
- Increased revenue in Premium locations by 10% implementing packages, updating pricing & driving sales incentives.
Senior Food & Merchandise Manager
Sphere Entertainment Co.
07.2023 - 08.2024
- Supervise a team of 5 Salaried Managers, 13 Junior Managers, 35 PT Supervisors & 300 hourly staff
- Multi-Unit leader with oversight of Concessions, Beverage, Suites, Catering and Merchandise
- Develop and implement strategies that align with the company's business objectives
- Used customer feedback to increase beverage sales by 20%
- Identified business opportunities and risks by analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace data
- Provided exceptional customer service by anticipating guests' needs and responding promptly to inquiries or requests
- Review procedures and operational challenges to uncover service improvements
- Manage multiple events with meticulous attention to detail, adaptable to any workstyle
- Hire, Train and Develop a Successful Team
- Monthly 1:1 with management team, along with yearly performance reviews
- Oversee Inventory, Billing, Credits & Invoices to ensure accuracy
- Implement key standard operating procedures to ensure best practices are met
- Cross-functional collaboration with departments to communicate key initiatives, priorities and deadlines
General Manager of Suites
Silver & Black Hospitality (Levy)
06.2021 - 07.2023
- Managed 3 Salaried Managers & 110 hourly staff
- Oversaw 127 Suites & Activations for leaseholders
- Oversaw the Menu Development and Assisted with the Chef Partner Program
- Hired, Trained, and Developed a Successful Team
- Created a great culture & positive working environment amongst the team
- Ensured consistency with exceptional attention to detail and organization
- Oversaw Suites Financials, Billing, Credits and Invoices
- Developed & Implemented Trainings & Created SOP's
- Ensured projects and deadlines are on track and completed in a timely manner
Senior Services Manager
Brightline
01.2020 - 04.2020
- Company Overview: Miami, US
- Managed 1 salaried manager and 30 full-time employees
- Improved profitability through efficient operations and station visitations
- Worked with Director of Retail Operations to optimize sales by conducting marketing promotions, which drove sales by 10%
- Oversaw hospitality services to ensure standards are met
- Conducting operational audits monitoring food safety and customer feedback
- Reviewed areas of improvement for cost control for the operation
- Trained & developed staff - providing feedback during performance reviews
- Updated operating manuals to safeguard accurate Standard Operating Procedures
- Ensured compliance with local health and safety standards and industry codes are met while coordinating safety training for all employees
- Miami, US
Event Sales Manager
Aramark
04.2019 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: Walter E
- Washington Convention Center, Washington DC
- Oversaw all aspects of event/sales operations for Convention Center, a 2.3 million-square-foot conventions and meetings facility, equipped to handle events/programs of all sizes, events for 500 to 42,000 attendees
- Served as the initial point of contact for clients, handling the development/planning phase of events
- Provided strategic recommendations, and solutions to resolve complex issues
- Measured event success; made contingency plans where necessary to ensure client expectations are met
- Presented business opportunities to senior leadership to increase revenue
- Walter E
- Washington Convention Center, Washington DC
Senior Sales Manager
Levy
01.2015 - 12.2018
- Company Overview: at American Airlines Arena, Miami, US
- Managed 1 manager and 40 part-time employees
- Directed all aspects of catering & event operations: fielding inquiries, site visits, developing proposals, negotiating contracts, liaising with food & beverage team, on site event execution, billing, rentals, and event recaps/ invoice reconciliation
- Forecasted annually, quarterly, and monthly sales revenue; secured revenue of more than $900,000 annually, totaling $4.1 million in four years
- Maintained meticulous records with strong attention to detail
- Oversaw administrative tasks - scheduling, expense reports, billing, filing, calendaring for effective long-term planning while handling confidential data
- Achieved exceptional customer experiences with a 95% clientele return rate
- Led weekly meetings with leadership to ensure events remained on track and stayed within budget
- At American Airlines Arena, Miami, US
Senior Catering Manager
Levy
03.2012 - 01.2015
- Company Overview: at American Airlines Arena, Miami
- Organized over 1000+ events/projects for reputable companies grossing over 100k in revenue with strong attention to detail
- Events Included: Miami Heat, Corporate Functions, Meetings, conventions, Concerts, Award Shows, Galas/Receptions, Private Parties, VIP Events
- Managed high-profile events from conception to reconciliation
- Pre-event planning, budget, event execution, post event, client survey
- Partnered with leadership to establish annual revenue targets and quarterly KPI's; tracking quarterly production to goal
- Managed all aspects of catering -establishing pricing, menus, SOP's, inventory
- Established a clear line of communication between the catering, event managers and the operations teams to ensure seamless event execution
- Worked with leadership to develop an annual budget and strategic business plan with strategies and policies to drive revenue and maximize overall profitability
- Implemented employee recognition initiatives to increase employee engagement and increase our yearly retention rate by 15%
- At American Airlines Arena, Miami
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Public Relations
Georgia Southern University
05.2012
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Coordination
- Process Improvements
- Client & Vendor Management
- Event Management
- Training & Development / Team Building
- Time Management
- Problem-Solving Abilities
- Effective Communication
- Customer Service
- Operational Management
- Strategic Planning
Certification
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification - National Restaurant Association.
Timeline
Assistant Director of Operations Premium
Levy
08.2024 - Current
Senior Food & Merchandise Manager
Sphere Entertainment Co.
07.2023 - 08.2024
General Manager of Suites
Silver & Black Hospitality (Levy)
06.2021 - 07.2023
Senior Services Manager
Brightline
01.2020 - 04.2020
Event Sales Manager
Aramark
04.2019 - 01.2020
Senior Sales Manager
Levy
01.2015 - 12.2018
Senior Catering Manager
Levy
03.2012 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Science Degree - Public Relations
Georgia Southern University