Damian Lawrence
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Highly accomplished Director with a 20+years management career highlighted by advancement and consistent achievement in training, staffing, development and leadership growth. 15 years multi unit experience leading $25 million in sales. Educated and energetic professional recognized as a quick learner with strong organizational and communication abilities. Strong history of building culture and accountability to improve retention and results. Dedicated Operations Manager dedicated to employing proven methods and cutting-edge technology to meet business performance expectations. Recognized for successful implementation of measures to cut costs, streamline operations and increase productivity. Detailed approach to maintaining high threshold for business operations.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Area Director
Bojangles' Restaurants
02.2022 - Current
- Analyzed financial performance of area(9 locations) by monitoring budgets and expenses, reviewing financial statements and recommending appropriate actions.
- Monitored regional performance metrics, providing timely feedback and implementing corrective actions when necessary to ensure goals were achieved consistently across all locations.
- Increased revenue growth with the implementation of innovative marketing strategies and sales techniques.
- Performed audits to reduce and control loss and meet internal audit and compliance objectives.
- Achieved higher employee retention rates by implementing effective team-building initiatives and employee development programs.
- Implemented efficient inventory management systems that reduced waste while ensuring optimal product availability at all times.
- Developed comprehensive training programs for employees to enhance skills development and career progression opportunities.
- Created a culture of accountability among staff members by setting clear expectations regarding job responsibilities and performance goals consistent with company values.
Director of Company Operations
Dreamland BBQ
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Leading a staff of 3 area managers, shipping department and training department
- Overseeing the brand compliance, from Food safety to Brand standards, across all facets of the Supply
- Chain
- Measuring and communicating performance across various KPIs and facilitating improvements through root cause identification and building systemic capability
- Ensure that franchisee are operating with the Dreamland Company standard
- Oversee the company stores and franchise's location.
- Developed and implemented operational strategies to improve overall business performance.
- Monitored daily operations, identified areas of improvement, and managed staff schedules.
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure seamless workflow between departments.
- Collaborated closely with senior leadership team to develop long-term plans for growth initiatives.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner by providing effective solutions that met customer needs.
Senior Area Director
Bojangles' Restaurants, Inc
03.2017 - 01.2020
- Responsible for 14 locations total in the Alabama area 6 stores and 8 stores in Tennessee area with two area managers reporting to me directly
- Handled budget and meeting of sales goals
- Responsible for the development of general managers and assistants
- Hiring and recruitment of managers and crew staffing and area managers development new in position
- Developed and implemented the strategic plan including all employee decisions, sales plans, training and system execution
- Organized events such as product launches, promotional activities or special occasions.
- Reviewed financial statements and identified areas of cost savings or revenue generation potential.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure lower prices or better terms of payment.
- Resolved customer complaints efficiently by providing effective solutions in a timely manner.
- Evaluated store performance against key metrics such as sales targets, budgets, expenses.
- Prepared monthly reports summarizing store performance against goals set out at the beginning of the month.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
The Cookout
01.2012 - 03.2017
- Leads and oversee the coordination of all aspects of restaurant operations
- Plays a leading role in compiling company budget and growth strategy
- Managing money handling, accounting and bank processes
- Driving employees and leading performance reviews, to ensure engaged and skilled workforce
- Collaborating with leadership to build an environment of collective responsibility and accountability
- Engages in immediate problem resolution and short-term plans to correct critical issues
- Tracks and charts sales, labor and productivity of each day-part daily
- Promotes unity among all team members and leadership through effective and timely communication of vision, weekly events, key elements of business plan, etc
- Prepares leaders to speak intelligently about processes, marketing of specials, and the business
HR GENERALIST
Winn-Dixie
04.2007 - 01.2012
- Conducted training, coaching, and counseling in support of the deployment and early adoption of HQ or COE HR program roll-out
- Processed terminations, leave of absence requests, promotions, internal transfers, contractors and new hires
- Recruited and interviewed candidates; provided management with hiring recommendations
- Coordinated the hiring process, including but not limited to conducting pre-employment background, drug screening and reference checks, negotiating salary offers, and issuing job confirmation letters and other internal communications
- Conducted new hire orientation
- Processed employee payroll and implemented new reporting tools to become best practices company wide
- Completed daily entry of employee status changes and benefit changes per qualified life event
- Provided ad hoc reports for specific departmental needs, maintained system integrity by running queries and data analysis
- Coordinated open enrollment for benefits, as well as worked to implement a company sponsored wellness program for employees to received preferred, discounted pricing on health insurance
Education
BACHELORS - HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA
Livingston, AL01.2006
Skills
- Budget
- Performance Management
- Change Management
- Hiring/Recruitment
- HR Generalist
Additional Information
- Willing to relocate: Anywhere, Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Certification
- Certified Business Manager (CBM) - The Association of Professionals in Business Management.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Area Director
Bojangles' Restaurants
02.2022 - Current
Director of Company Operations
Dreamland BBQ
01.2020 - 01.2022
Senior Area Director
Bojangles' Restaurants, Inc
03.2017 - 01.2020
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
The Cookout
01.2012 - 03.2017
HR GENERALIST
Winn-Dixie
04.2007 - 01.2012
- Certified Business Manager (CBM) - The Association of Professionals in Business Management.
BACHELORS - HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA
Similar Profiles
Ellicia EmenyEllicia Emeny
Wait Staff Member at Bojangles' RestaurantsWait Staff Member at Bojangles' Restaurants
Sheena RobinsonSheena Robinson
General Manager of Food Service at Bojangles' RestaurantsGeneral Manager of Food Service at Bojangles' Restaurants
Elijah HeroldElijah Herold
Team Leader Manager at Bojangles' RestaurantsTeam Leader Manager at Bojangles' Restaurants