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 Street Food Hall
12.2021 - 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 by analyzing team members' strengths versus customer flow, hiring skilled bartenders and adjusting schedule appropriately.
- Generated 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.
Social Media Manager
Morgan Street Food Hall
02.2022 - Current
- Increase brand awareness by developing and implementing effective social media strategies.
- Boost engagement rates with the creation of compelling and visually appealing content.
- Manage multiple social media platforms, ensuring a consistent brand voice and message.
- Analyze performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and optimize social media campaigns.
- Streamline content creation processes, improving efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
- Enhance online engagement with the creation of compelling content for various platforms.
Bar Lead
Soulmate
11.2020 - 11.2021
- 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.
- Established and maintained quality control standards for an $8 million dollar company
- 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.
Bar Lead
Mia’s Martini
04.2017 - 11.2021
- 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.
Server
Bottega Louie
04.2019 - 03.2020
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations while serving spirits.
Asst. Event Manager
Red Rooster/Ginny’s Supper Club
01.2014 - 01.2017
- 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.
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.
Team Leader
T.G.I Fridays
01.2010 - 01.2014
- 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
- 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
Education
Bachelors - Fine Arts
American Musical & Dramatic Academy
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Business Planning
- Contract Development and Management
- Brand Management
- Company Branding
- Budget Development
- Venue Selection
- Staff Development
- Customer Relationship Management
- Business Projections
- Brand Promotion
Timeline
Social Media Manager
Morgan Street Food Hall
02.2022 - Current
Restaurant Bar Manager
Morgan Street Food Hall
12.2021 - Current
Bar Lead
Soulmate
11.2020 - 11.2021
Server
Bottega Louie
04.2019 - 03.2020
Bar Lead
Mia’s Martini
04.2017 - 11.2021
Event Coordinator & Executive Assistant
Christopher Trujillo
01.2016 - 01.2017
Asst. Event Manager
Red Rooster/Ginny’s Supper Club
01.2014 - 01.2017
Team Leader
T.G.I Fridays
01.2010 - 01.2014
Bachelors - Fine Arts
American Musical & Dramatic Academy
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