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
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
DirectorDirector of Company Operations
Dreamland BBQ
Atlanta, GA
01.2021 - Current
- 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
Atlanta, GA
04.2019 - 01.2021
- 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
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
The Cookout
Atlanta, GA
01.2012 - 04.2019
- 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
Birmingham, AL
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
01.2006
Skills
- Budget
- Schedule Management
- Business Forecasting
- KPI Tracking
- Cost Control
- Strategic Planning
- Word
- Marketing
- P&L Management
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Performance Management
- Change Management
- Recruiting
- Restaurant experience
- Profit & loss
- Leadership
- Cash handling
- Customer service
- Pricing
- Training & development
- Human Resource Management
- Training and Development
- Leadership Development
- Customer Response Time
- Hiring/Recruitment
- HR Generalist
- Attention to Detail
- Decision Making
- Customer Service
- Time Management
Accomplishments
- Burger King Corp - Birmingham, AL
- April 2006 to May 2009
- Facilitated training initiatives for executives, managers, and employees in quality service, coaching, and performance management which resulted in an increase in monthly sales goals
- Established recognition programs for individual and team improvements that supported company mission
- Designed and delivered new employee culture training initiative that is successfully integrated the company's vision and mission to instill a creative and dynamic culture
- Training development and execution for new operations staff and recurring training program for existing staff
- Designed and created training materials, guides and corporate event delivery standards
- Managed quality assurance program including frequent on site evaluations, internal audits and customer survey
- Implemented and delivered specified Training materials as indicated to assure certifications
- Maintained pertinent records and required documents to substantiate training and certifications
- Facilitate and coordinate the development of training plans in conjunction with Operations Partner with
- Multi-Restaurant Leaders to plan for HIPO development at all levels
- Provide observations, evaluations, and feedback on training effectiveness
Additional Information
- Willing to relocate: Anywhere, Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Timeline
DirectorDirector of Company Operations
Dreamland BBQ
01.2021 - Current
Senior Area Director
Bojangles' Restaurants, Inc
04.2019 - 01.2021
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
The Cookout
01.2012 - 04.2019
HR GENERALIST
Winn-Dixie
04.2007 - 01.2012
BACHELORS - HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA