ELIZABETH DENA WILKES
Chatham,VA
Summary
Highly proactive manager with 10 years of experience in team leadership in Retail and Food industry. Background includes sales, management and customer service in fast-paced settings.
Professional leader with proven track record in managing high-performance teams and driving customer satisfaction. Skilled in operational management, staff training, and budget oversight. Known for adaptability, strong problem-solving abilities, and focus on achieving results through collaborative efforts. Consistently delivers exceptional dining experiences while maintaining high standards and efficiency.
Food service professional adept at FOH and BOH operations. Demonstrated team leader with excellent staff management skills.
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Restaurant General Manager
Cotton At Riverside Mill
Danville, VA
01.2025 - 03.2026
- Oversaw daily operations to ensure high-quality service and customer satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance staff performance and efficiency.
- Managed inventory controls, reducing waste and optimizing supply chain processes.
- Analyzed financial reports to identify trends, improve profitability, and drive strategic decisions.
- Fostered a positive work environment through effective team leadership and conflict resolution strategies.
- Established operational protocols that improved service speed and enhanced guest experiences.
- Led regular staff meetings to align team objectives with business goals and encourage collaboration.
- Managed all aspects of daily operations, including managing budgets, inventory control, and vendor relations.
- Effectively managed labor costs by monitoring productivity levels among staff members and making strategic scheduling decisions.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
- Addressed customer concerns promptly and professionally, turning potentially negative experiences into positive outcomes.
- Developed and maintained a strong team of motivated staff by providing ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Maintained open lines of communication between front-and back-of-house teams to facilitate smooth day-to-day operations.
- Correctly calculated inventory and ordered appropriate supplies.
- Set clear expectations and created positive working environment for employees.
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Implemented efficient scheduling practices to ensure optimal staffing levels during peak business hours.
- Implemented new employee onboarding processes, providing comprehensive training that promoted retention and a strong understanding of company culture.
- Oversaw balancing of cash registers, reconciled transactions, and deposited establishment's earnings to bank.
- Conducted health, safety, and sanitation process evaluations to identify and remedy any violations immediately.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through consistent delivery of high-quality food and service.
- Identified problems, conducted troubleshooting and sought repair or maintenance support to keep restaurant equipment operational.
- Ensured compliance with all health department regulations as well as company policies and procedures.
- Purchased adequate quantities of food, beverages, equipment, and supplies.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Coordinated special events bookings, working closely with clients to ensure their expectations were met or exceeded from start to finish.
- Oversaw facility maintenance, ensuring a clean, safe, and inviting atmosphere for patrons.
- Maintained facility and grounds to present positive image.
- Launched new menu items to keep the offerings fresh and appealing, resulting in increased sales.
- Collaborated with culinary team members to develop seasonal menus that catered to diverse tastes while maximizing profit margins.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, maintaining safe environment for both staff and customers.
- Monitored inventory of supplies and purchased orders to maintain adequate stock levels.
- Tracked daily sales transactions and invoices for accurate and updated financial reporting.
- Reconciled cash and credit card transactions to maintain accurate records.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and sanitation through correct procedures and scheduled cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
- Trained staff on proper cooking procedures as well as safety regulations and productivity strategies.
- Worked along side Customers to plan and Host their events , including staffing , setting up , providing the catering and receiving invoice payments.
Assistant General Manager
Cotton at Riverside Mill
Danville, VA
08.2024 - 01.2025
- Led daily operations to ensure efficient service and high customer satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored staff on service standards and operational procedures.
- Implemented inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and reduce waste.
- Collaborated with the general manager on strategic initiatives to enhance profitability.
- Analyzed customer feedback to develop targeted training programs for staff improvement.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving customer complaints promptly and professionally.
- Immediately resolved issues with patrons by employing careful listening and communication skills.
- Implemented cross-training initiatives among team members which increased flexibility in staffing and improved overall service delivery.
- Kept restaurant compliant with all federal, state, and local hygiene and food safety regulations.
- Optimized table turnover rates by training staff on efficient service techniques and refining seating arrangements for peak hours.
- Maintained a clean and inviting atmosphere within the restaurant by implementing strict cleanliness standards for both staff members and the dining area itself.
Assistant Manager
Bath and Body works
Danville, Virgina
10.2023 - 07.2024
- Lead daily business analysis, using the repeatable model for gaining insight and taking action to deliver sales plan and grow conversion. Support the execution of monthly / weekly action plans set by the store manager. Create, execute, and effectively communicate inventory management strategy to ensure alignment of all SLT, including, physical inventories, shipment/processing, organization of backroom, replenishment.
- Lead all Shrink Protection Programs assigned by AP.
- Support daily activities to complete merchandise flow tasks, cycle counts, testers/ damages and inventory quick forms.
- Create, execute, and effectively communicate the strategy to maintain Brand Standards, Floorset activates, mid-theme updates and sell down decisions.
- Lead, execute, and delegate floorset activities.
- Support daily activities to complete labor/ payroll management tasks.
- Lead development of SLT and associates to build higher performing teams. Support a consistent, positive SLT/ associate onboarding experience and coaching.
- Lead assigned selling lead segments to deliver sales plan.
- Coach and teach to empower the SLT team to drive results day to day through decision making and delegating.
- Empowering associates to drive results day to day through assignments and delegating daily tasks with clear expectations.
- Manager on Duty when Store Manager is out of the business, Cover conference calls with the market team.
- Made associates schedules for the week.
Keyholder
Bath and Body Works
Danville, Virginia
05.2023 - 10.2023
- As a key holder for Bath and body works, I was responsible for opening the building and closing the building. I would be the manager on duty with one other associate. As specialty retail I would engage with customers, by asking them questions on what brought them into the store, helping them find the right items they were looking for, and assisting them with checking out.
Department Manager
Walmart super center
Danville, Virginia
07.2019 - 06.2020
- As a Department Manager I worked over seasonal and would reset this department every three weeks or so, I would work with a team of associates that I supervised, we would take merchandise that would be out of season and we would reset with new merchandise for the new season. We would remove shelving, clean and replace shelving by following the MOD sheet and add new label’s with the correct price point. I would do price changes once a week. I helped associates with and questions they would have and the new associated I would train them in the area.
Personnel Coordinator / Support Manager
Walmart Neighborhood Market
Danville, Virginia
10.2018 - 07.2019
- Responsibilities included setting up interviews for the management team, hiring and onboarding the new hires. Completing all new hire forms including I-9, going over all company forms and policies.
- Working with Market personnel to make sure policies and procedures are being followed, as well as fixing any issues that arise like meal exceptions or errors in payroll.
- Being someone that the associates could come and talk to if they were having any types of issues and or felt if the needed more training.
- As the Support Manager, I was manager on duty for the store. I would open the building, deactivate the alarm system. Set a clear direction for the opening associates for their shift. Check and respond to any email’s from the management team. I would also close the store, drop the deposits for the night, do any paperwork that was needed when closing the fuel station. Send a nightly email to the management team with details of the night and things that needed to be taking care of by a salaried member of the management.
Customer Service Manager
Walmart Neighborhood Market
Danville, Virginia
07.2016 - 10.2018
- I managed the frontend of the store; I would handle any questions or concerns from the customers. I would assist any cashiers that needed assistance with getting them change for their registers and if they needed a key turn or a price override, I managed the associates breaks and lunches making sure they had their breaks in a timely manner. Worked alongside of the management team with fundraisers for Childrens Miracle Network.
Education
Other - Retail Supervisor career program
Penn Foster
online05-2025
High school or equivalent - GED
Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center
Chatham, Virginia12-2008
Skills
- Retail Management - 8 years
- Restaurant Management - 1 year 7 months
- Operations management
- Inventory management
- Food safety
- Cost control
- Staff scheduling
- Hiring decisions
- Labor management
- Customer engagement
- Health code compliance
- Guest relations
- Facility maintenance
- Purchasing
- Reservation management
- Menu development
- POS system
- Guest experience oversight
- Table management
- Kitchen oversight
- Inventory control and record keeping
- Staff management
- Catering coordination
- Money handling
- Problem-solving
- Training and onboarding
- ServeSafe manager
Certification
- Serve Safe Manager - Expires 2030
Timeline
Restaurant General Manager
Cotton At Riverside Mill
01.2025 - 03.2026
Assistant General Manager
Cotton at Riverside Mill
08.2024 - 01.2025
Assistant Manager
Bath and Body works
10.2023 - 07.2024
Keyholder
Bath and Body Works
05.2023 - 10.2023
Department Manager
Walmart super center
07.2019 - 06.2020
Personnel Coordinator / Support Manager
Walmart Neighborhood Market
10.2018 - 07.2019
Customer Service Manager
Walmart Neighborhood Market
07.2016 - 10.2018
High school or equivalent - GED
Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center
Other - Retail Supervisor career program
Penn Foster