David Melendez
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Highly experienced, skilled, and detail oriented Guest Services & Coordinating Specialist with nearly 10 years of experience in Hospitality, Event Management, & Team Leadership. Hands-on known for excellent public relations and marketing coordination. Highly trained professional with passion for working with and for people. Solutions-oriented problem-solver with goal-oriented mindset. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Bar Manager
Morgan Food Street Hall
04.2021 - Current
- Strategized plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts, specialty drinks, and customer-focused events.
- Orchestrated social functions, formal engagements and business meetings, resulting in significant increase in overall sales.
- Processed in-house batching of syrups, tonics, tinctures, bitters and infusions.
- Decreased labor costs 72 percent by analyzing team members' strengths versus customer flow, hiring skilled bartenders and adjusting schedule appropriately.
- Generated 57% in higher ticket averages by training employees on suggestive upselling techniques.
- Maintained high standards of customer service by staying up to date on bar and menu options and providing effective food recommendations for guests.
- Created effective employee schedules maintaining coverage at peak times and minimizing labor costs.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Followed strict recipes and drink measurements to minimize product used.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
Bartender Supervisor
Butcher, The Baker
01.2018 - 04.2020
- Supervised and trained staff on preparing and delivering drinks, handling food, and money and setting up bar at beginning of shift and breaking down at end of shift to facilitate operations.
- Oversaw and monitored cash drawers and reconciled drawers against cash register reports at close of business.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Disciplined and motivated staff to achieve challenging objectives in fast-paced culinary environments.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
Manager
Bottega Louie
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Developed and implemented business strategies to achieve business goals and stay competitive.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
Catering and Events Manager
Mia’s Martini
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Generated ideas to enhance and expand current event offerings.
- Nurtured and built relationships with vendors, venues and industry contacts to obtain best pricing and services for events.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Coordinated with kitchen or catering staff on delivery, timing and service style of food.
- Oversaw preparation and management of event budgets to deliver at or below projected costs.
- Produced detailed proposals for events to document timelines, suppliers and budgets.
- Coordinated florists, photographers, and musicians for events.
- Assembled creative and innovative event attractions based on internal capabilities.
Event Coordinator & Executive Assistant
Christopher Trujillo
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Coordinated schedules and timelines for events.
- Brainstormed and implemented creative event concepts and themes for over 100 events.
- Developed post-event reports to determine effectiveness of each event.
- Managed event logistics and operations.
- Performed event coordination for larger parties and gatherings.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Consulted with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events.
- Hired, trained and supervised volunteers and support staff required for events.
- Designed and implemented efforts to publicize events and promote sponsorships.
Asst. Event Manager
Red Rooster/Ginny’s Supper Club
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Coordinated with kitchen or catering staff on delivery, timing and service style of food.
- Liaised with clients to determine exact event requirements.
- Oversaw preparation and management of event budgets to deliver at or below projected costs.
- Assembled creative and innovative event attractions based on internal capabilities.
- Delivered prompt payment for event vendors, venues, staff and transportation providers.
- Fulfilled contractual obligations for rehearsal and day of event coordination.
- Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
Team Leader
T.G.I Fridays
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Assists in the development and advancement of several high volume restaurants in New
- York and Los Angeles, and coordinated hundreds of professional events and programs
- Trains incoming staff on restaurant's practices, culture, and procedures to maximize job satisfaction and productivity
- Greets all customers, and shares knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest
- Maintains a strong reputation of efficiency, accuracy, and reliability earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers
- Consults with managers to organize special events, promotions, and programs; and increases bar revenues through development and marketing of creative cocktails
- Assists servers with specialty drink orders by preparing on-demand items without delay; and pours and prepares mixed drinks for nearly 100 customers daily creating new libations drawing in clientele
- Manages bar inventory, restocks supplies, and places orders for spirits, beer, wines and mixers; establishes and maintains relationships with restaurant vendors to facilitate effective inventory management and implement cost controls
- Manages all administrative logistics of events planning, including contract signing, fee collection, event booking, and event promotions
- Interviews clients to understand event plans and logistics, establish budgets and determine timelines for venue selection, guest list finalization, and program requirements
- Supports senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, inventory, resourcing, risk mitigation and proposal development for various events
- Evaluates existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement
- Partners with celebrities and industry professionals to provide administrative support, organize events, and provide executive management for daily operations, meetings, fundraising galas, and intimate dinner parties
- Creates and deploys successful strategies to boost performance, streamline processes, and increase efficiency in different areas
- Monitors food preparation, production, and plating for quality control, and delivers in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance
- Career Highlights:
- Worked alongside celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson with managing his flagship restaurant, Red Rooster
- Successful opening of Soulmate in West Hollywood, under the direction of Naomi
- Schimek
- Successfully organized and executed over 100 professional private events
- Partnered with executives and staff to effectively manage and open team a new restaurant in New York
- Received dozens of positive Yelp reviews for high quality service, management, and performance.
Education
Bachelors - Fine Arts
Musical & Dramatic Academy
B.A. - Communications
Arcadia University
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Business Planning
- Contract Development and Management
- Brand Management
- Company Branding
- Budget Development
- Venue Selection
- Staff Development
- Customer Relationship Management
- Business Projections
Timeline
Restaurant Bar Manager
Morgan Food Street Hall
04.2021 - Current
Manager
Bottega Louie
01.2019 - 01.2020
Bartender Supervisor
Butcher, The Baker
01.2018 - 04.2020
Catering and Events Manager
Mia’s Martini
01.2017 - 01.2019
Event Coordinator & Executive Assistant
Christopher Trujillo
01.2016 - 01.2017
Asst. Event Manager
Red Rooster/Ginny’s Supper Club
01.2013 - 01.2016
Team Leader
T.G.I Fridays
01.2010 - 01.2012
Bachelors - Fine Arts
Musical & Dramatic Academy
B.A. - Communications
Arcadia University
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