Dakota Fink
Longmont,CO
Summary
Results-driven operations manager specializing in maximizing profitability through strategic inventory management and cost control. Successfully executed targeted marketing initiatives that fueled growth in restaurant and event catering sectors. Proven ability to leverage data analytics for performance optimization and informed decision-making.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Manager and Events Operations
Tandem Hospitality, Longmont Hotel
Longmont, Colorado
10.2026 - Current
- Directed hotel restaurant operations and coordinated daily front and back of house service.
- Supervised dining room staff and supported courteous guest service standards.
- Scheduled employee shifts and adjusted coverage for banquet and restaurant demands.
- Monitored food quality and resolved guest concerns in the hotel dining venue.
- Managed inventory ordering and coordinated supplies with kitchen and beverage teams.
- Collaborated with hotel leadership on menu planning and special event service.
- Managed day-to-day operations of restaurant, including scheduling, budgeting, and inventory control.
- Supervised and trained staff in customer service, food handling, and safety protocols.
- Maintained detailed records of sales transactions and daily shift reports.
- Optimized profits by controlling food, beverage and labor costs.
Small Business Owner and Outside Sales
Mountain Sound DJ
Boulder, CO
11.2017 - Current
- Founded and operated a successful DJ services business, providing entertainment for weddings, corporate events, and private parties.
- Led business operations for DJ services, overseeing all aspects of management and strategy.
- Managed daily operations, overseeing budgeting, financial management, and leadership of 6 employees to ensure smooth business function.
- Implemented strategic plans to drive growth, increase profitability, and expand market presence.
- Created and executed marketing strategies utilizing social media and data analytics, increasing brand awareness and attracting new customers.
- Developed a business model, secured a domain, and created a user-friendly website, enhancing client engagement and attraction.
- Built strong client relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to identify expansion opportunities and optimize service offerings.
- Utilized data-driven insights to track business performance and improve decision-making.
- Directed Mountain Sound DJ operations, scheduling, and client service
- Negotiated contracts, pricing, and service agreements for bookings
- Followed up on leads, calls, and appointments in sales pipeline.
- Developed customized sales techniques to successfully sell and upsell services to new and existing clients.
- Generated new sales leads through cold calling and networking activities.
- Performed regular follow-ups with prospects to close deals in a timely manner.
Catering Operations and Restaurant Manager
Sugar Pine
Longmont, CO
04.2019 - 10.2026
- Managed Sugar Pine dining room, coordinating front-of-house and back-of-house service.
- Managed daily restaurant and catering operations, ensuring adherence to hospitality standards and health/safety protocols for a diverse team of 61 FOH and BOH employees.
- Spearhead full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and cross-functional training for service staff, bartenders, and kitchen crew.
- Partnered with the Owners to deploy a new BOH inventory management system, successfully reducing food waste and variances.
- Designed and implemented standard operating procedures (SOPs) to seamlessly bridge FOH guest service with BOH kitchen fulfillment execution.
- Negotiated pricing terms with food and beverage suppliers and integrated kitchen ticket/order fulfillment tech systems, streamlining operations to accelerate ticket times.
- Spearheaded FOH event execution for high-end corporate and wedding catering, coordinating floor plans, guest flow, banquet staff, and synchronized plate service to enhance guest experience.
- Oversee bar operations, including alcohol inventory control, staff TABC/TIPS compliance, and creative cocktail menu engineering to boost beverage margins.
- Audited weekly food costs and ingredient yields, collaborating with culinary team to adjust portion control and optimize menu engineering, boosting profitability.
- Collaborated closely with executive chefs to develop seasonally rotating menus for both à la carte restaurant dining and large-scale catering operations, balancing culinary trends with kitchen execution capabilities.
- Analyzed product mix (P-Mix) reports and historical sales data to engineer menus, introducing new high-margin items while phasing out low-performing dishes to maximize profitability.
- Monitor performance data and market trends to optimize marketing spend and campaign ROI.
- Directed B2B sales efforts for corporate catering events, generating new revenue stream for Sugar Pine.
Assistant Manager
Guiry's Color Source
Fort Collins, CO
01.2016 - 12.2019
- Coordinated inventory management and stock replenishment to ensure product availability.
- Reviewed sales trends to spot revenue growth opportunities and support cost reduction efforts.
- Built vendor relationships and handled complex customer issues to improve satisfaction.
- Trained new employees on customer service standards and product knowledge practices.
- Provided personalized customer service during in-store visits.
- Completed weekly inventory checks to keep stock records accurate and simplify inventory tracking.
Sales Representative
Ameritech Construction
Denver, CO
06.2012 - 06.2016
- Coordinated consultations for window installations with new and existing customers.
- Developed strong relationships with clients to understand construction needs.
- Conducted product presentations to showcase services and solutions effectively.
- Collaborated with project managers to align client expectations with project deliverables.
Pantry Chef
Del Frisco's Restaurant Group Inc.
Denver, Colorado
04.2011 - 01.2013
- Prepared cold appetizers and pantry items to meet Del Frisco's fine dining standards.
- Checked ingredient freshness and rotated stock to keep kitchen ready for service.
- Relayed ticket orders to kitchen staff to support timely meal preparation.
- Prepared hot and cold menu items, including salads, sandwiches, starters, and desserts.
Landscape Foreman
Parker Landscape
Parker, CO
04.2010 - 10.2011
- Supervised crew of 3-5 daily to ensure efficient task completion
- Designed yard layouts to enhance visual appeal and functionality
- Conducted regular yard maintenance to maintain landscape health and aesthetics
- Sprinkler repair and maintenance
- Cultivated positive customer relations to enhance satisfaction and loyalty
Executive Chef
Sugar Pine
Longmont
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Directed Sugar Pine kitchen operations and daily culinary workflow.
- Planned seasonal menus for Sugar Pine dining service.
- Supervised chefs, cooks, and prep staff at Sugar Pine.
- Trained team members on recipes, plating, and kitchen standards.
- Managed food safety, sanitation, and health code compliance.
- Ordered ingredients and controlled inventory for Sugar Pine kitchen.
- Coordinated banquet and special event meal service.
- Collaborated with management on dining room and menu changes.
- Monitored kitchen area and staff to maintain overall safety and establish proper food handling techniques.
- Created new menu items, managed food expenses, and supervised quality to ensure adherence to standards.
Education
Bachelor's degree - Business Marketing
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO03-2016
High school diploma or GED - General Studies
Singapore American School
Singapore, Singapore05-2012
Skills
- Operations management
- Food service
- Managing food service teams
- Event sales
- Food preparation
- Food safety management
- Kitchen cost control
- Profit and loss analysis
- Food cost tracking
- Inventory management
- POS management
- Vendor relationship building
- Business operations
- Operational management
- Client retention
- Client acquisition
- Key account management
- Account oversight
- Corporate sales
- Marketing
- Operational marketing
- Online marketing
- Branding
- Team building
- Staff development
- Guest relations
- In-person customer service
- Safety regulations
- Strategic management
- Inventory management
- Operational management
Personal Information
- Driving License: Driver's License
- Availability: Willing to relocate: Anywhere
- Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Certification
- Google Analytics Certification
2026-06 to Present, TABC Certification, Food Handler Certification, ServSafe Food Manager Certification, TIPS, Driver's License, ServSafe, Food Safety Certification - ServSafe Management 2026
Timeline
Restaurant Manager and Events Operations
Tandem Hospitality, Longmont Hotel
10.2026 - Current
Executive Chef
Sugar Pine
01.2024 - 01.2025
Catering Operations and Restaurant Manager
Sugar Pine
04.2019 - 10.2026
Small Business Owner and Outside Sales
Mountain Sound DJ
11.2017 - Current
Assistant Manager
Guiry's Color Source
01.2016 - 12.2019
Sales Representative
Ameritech Construction
06.2012 - 06.2016
Pantry Chef
Del Frisco's Restaurant Group Inc.
04.2011 - 01.2013
Landscape Foreman
Parker Landscape
04.2010 - 10.2011
Bachelor's degree - Business Marketing
University of Northern Colorado
High school diploma or GED - General Studies
Singapore American School