Gerard Fell
Tulsa,OK
Work Preference
Summary
Dynamic bakery professional with extensive experience at Panera Bread, recognized for implementing innovative systems that reduced turnover and enhanced team productivity. Skilled in artisan bread making and adept at problem-solving, I consistently deliver high-quality baked goods while fostering a collaborative environment that drives exceptional customer satisfaction.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Baker
Sodexo Food Service
Tulsa, OK
12.2025 - Current
- Prepare baked goods for University of Tulsa campus events.
Baker
Panera Bread
Tulsa, OK
09.2021 - 07.2024
- Trained new employees on bakery methods and procedures.
- Prep and bake breads, pastries, cookies, muffins, and soufflés.
- Work with management to fulfill large catering orders.
- Created appealing displays to showcase products in bakery.
- Followed food safety standards when handling ingredients
- Complied with health and safety codes to protect staff and customers
- Operated ovens and bakery equipment to prepare products according to recipes
- Operated and maintained bakery equipment, including ovens and mixers
- Trained and supervised new employees on bakery operations and procedures
- Prepared all pastry items in accordance with standards of quality, quantity control, taste, and presentation
- Produced consistently high-quality baked goods for customers
Bakery Market Manager
Panera Bread
01.2016 - 09.2021
- Implemented systems and procedures to increase productivity of baking team.
- Responsible for all baking operations in Tulsa market.
- Hired, managed, and scheduled all bakers for Tulsa market.
- Trained baking team on introduction of new products.
- Evaluated bakers in Tulsa market annually.
- Ensured gold standard product at all bakery cafe's.
- Achieved lowest baker turnover for Panera nationwide.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations
General Manager
Panera Bread
02.2013 - 01.2016
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Increased profit results for two locations.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships
Assistant Manager
Panera Bread
01.2007 - 02.2013
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Was responsible for cost of goods sold. Handled ordering and inventory.
- Shift management.
- Customer satisfaction.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty
- Monitored security to protect employees, customers and property
- Mentored team members to enhance professional development and accountability in workplace
Store Manager
Delta Cafe
07.1995 - 12.2006
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Upheld and communicated store programs and standards to employees for optimal quality, freshness, safety and cleanliness.
- Shift management
- Customer satisfaction.
- Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback
- Upheld and communicated store programs and standards to employees for optimal quality, freshness, safety and cleanliness
- Supervised guests at front counter, answering questions regarding products
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures
Education
GED -
De La Salle
New Orleans, LA03.1983
Skills
- Standard Operating Procedures Understanding
- Holiday Baking
- Order Pulling
- Artisan Bread Making
- Adaptive and Creative
- Time Management
- Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP)
- Food Safety and Sanitation
- Restaurant Operation
- Inventory Reporting
- Food Service Team Development
- Production Updates
- Management
- Dough preparation
- Baking techniques
- Oven operation
- Recipe scaling
- Food safety
- Inventory control
- Production scheduling
- Quality control
- Order fulfillment
- Equipment maintenance
- Attention to detail
- Team leadership
- Time management
- Problem solving
- Communication skills
- Chocolate tempering
- Team player
- Pastry preparation
- Recipe-based cooking
- Team collaboration
- Ingredient measurement
- Mixing methods
- Display case arrangement
- Kitchen safety
- Minimize ingredient waste
- Bread making
- Stock rotation
- Dough handling
- Traditional baked goods
- Basic math
- Professional telephone manner
- Adaptive and creative
- Creative problem solving
- Waste reduction
- Active listener
- Batter and filling preparation
- Inventory management
- Opening and closing duties
- Allergen awareness
- Customer service
- Product presentation
- Recipe interpretation
- Manual dexterity
- Food handling standards
- Temperature control
- Weights and measures
- Multitasking and organization
- Baking
- Holiday baking
- Kitchen sanitation management
- Food safety and sanitation
- Sourdough bread making
- Scaling recipes
- Verbal and written communication
Timeline
Baker
Sodexo Food Service
12.2025 - Current
Baker
Panera Bread
09.2021 - 07.2024
Bakery Market Manager
Panera Bread
01.2016 - 09.2021
General Manager
Panera Bread
02.2013 - 01.2016
Assistant Manager
Panera Bread
01.2007 - 02.2013
Store Manager
Delta Cafe
07.1995 - 12.2006
GED -
De La Salle