KIMMIKA LAWSON
Lanham,Maryland
Summary
To build a career that offers challenge and growth with opportunities to enrich knowledge and diverse skills while contributing to the organization I work for.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Restaurant Floor Manager
Ted’s Bulletin
Washington, DC
02.2024 - Current
- Executed strategies for a seamless debut of new dining venue in NoMa.
- Managed daily operations to ensure a high level of efficiency, consistency, and quality in both food and service.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
- Correctly calculated inventory and ordered appropriate supplies.
- Optimized labor costs by closely monitoring schedules, adjusting staffing levels according to business needs, and employing cross-training strategies.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement while recognizing outstanding achievements as well.
- Enhanced guest experience by regularly reviewing feedback and implementing necessary improvements.
- Quickly identified problem situations and skillfully resolved incidents to satisfaction of involved parties.
Fine Dining Server/Bartender
Circa Restaurant
Washington, DC
10.2023 - 02.2024
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Explained daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals.
- Cultivated strong relationships with repeat customers, engaging in friendly conversation and memorizing drink orders to promote loyalty.
ASSISTANT STORE/KITCHEN MANAGER
First Watch Daytime Cafe
Annapolis, MD
07.2022 - 10.2023
- Contributed to the largest NRO of the company
- Puts supervisory skills to work, making sure daily operations runs according to plan and with high standards
- Knows the restaurant sales and traffic goals – and works to exceed them
- Responds with a sense of urgency to both customer and employee concerns
- Is responsible for both FOH and BOH work schedules
- Completes inventory twice a month
- Communicates and takes immediate ownership of repair and maintenance issues
- Responsible for ordering produce as well as any restaurants supplies (ie; uniforms, menus, cleaning products, small wares, etc.)
- Is certified in food handling and alcohol safety – and identifies and coaches in all areas of safe food handling
- Understands the key responsibilities of every position in the restaurant
- Responsible for line checks
- Trains, coaches, and develops team members daily
- Accounts for all daily revenues and deposits
- Completes admin duties – and gets required paperwork in on time
- Keeps company assets secure; including computers, point of sale, security systems and equipment
- Coaches and observes the First Watch Five Steps of Service being implemented at every table
- Is continuously scouting for and interviewing candidates to join our team
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
- Inspected kitchens to observe food preparation quality and service, food appearance, and cleanliness of production and service areas.
- Inspected stock to identify shortages, replenish supply and maintain consistent inventory.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
Hospitality Manager
Silver Diner
Greenbelt/Glenarden/Rockville, MD
09.2019 - 07.2022
- Creates 3 weekly schedules for over 50 personnel ensuring that the daily operation is running at peek performance while staying within profit and lose margins
- Managed the overall cash-flow on a daily basis
- Proven ability to maintain a strong presence on the floor and closely coordinate opening and closing procedures
- Efficiently resolved problems or concerns to the satisfaction of all involved parties
- Conducted daily pre-shift and monthly departmental meetings to ensure organizational efficiency
- Responsible for insuring highest quality of customer service and dining experience possible for all guests
- Achieved and surpassed sales and customer service goals
- Comply with all health and safety regulations
- Increased customer satisfaction through targeted customer surveys, and implementing top 5 recommendations
- Completed daily sales audits, deposit reports, and labor reports
- Manage shifts of approximately 30 servers, cooks, buss personnel, and hostesses to ensure maximum customer satisfaction
- Completed I-9 and personal information for new employees
- Server
Server Shift Leader
Silver Diner
Greenbelt, MD
06.2016 - 09.2019
- Maintained complete knowledge of restaurant menu, including daily specials
- Provided excellent customer service along with displaying a professional attitude at all times
- Demonstrated genuine hospitality while greeting and establishing rapport with guests
- Cleaned and reset tables quickly between each customer group
- Maintain safe and hygienic work environment
HIRING MANAGER
IHOP
Greenbelt, MD
08.2012 - 06.2016
- Experience with sales and working on a POS system
- Completed management training program and helped store manager with new associate training, scheduling, inventory management, and completed daily and weekly reports
- Assisted Manager by performing various duties with customer services, collections, inventory reconciliation, and reporting
- Hired and trained new employees
- Ensured all employees paperwork and I-9 forms were completed.
Education
DIPLOMA - BASIC EDUCATION
Parkdale High
Riverdale, MARYLANDSkills
- Hospitality and Accommodation
- Safe Serving Knowledge
- Staff Management
- Customer Engagement
- Schedule Coordination
- Dependable and Responsible
- Passion for Guest Satisfaction
- Private Events and Catering
Certification
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Food and Safety Handling ServeSafe, Alcohol Safety ServeSafe, ABRA license
Timeline
Restaurant Floor Manager
Ted’s Bulletin
02.2024 - Current
Fine Dining Server/Bartender
Circa Restaurant
10.2023 - 02.2024
ASSISTANT STORE/KITCHEN MANAGER
First Watch Daytime Cafe
07.2022 - 10.2023
Hospitality Manager
Silver Diner
09.2019 - 07.2022
Server Shift Leader
Silver Diner
06.2016 - 09.2019
HIRING MANAGER
IHOP
08.2012 - 06.2016
DIPLOMA - BASIC EDUCATION
Parkdale High