HARRY RAFT

Lake Forest,IL

Summary

Performance-driven Vice President with 25 years of experience aligning systems with business requirements, policies and regulatory requirements. Passionate about applying excellent organization and communication skills to manage and lead teams. Results-oriented individual well-versed in interfacing and consulting on business processes to drive results based on sound overall business judgment. Multi-talented Senior Executive knowledgeable about sales, operations and personnel management. Successful at stepping into diverse positions and making immediate positive contributions. Focused on optimizing operations and motivating employees while establishing market dominance.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

VP Design-Concepts

Panera Bread Co

12.2019 - 11.2023

Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives across departments to achieve business goals for bottom-line profits.
Aligned organizational objectives with company mission to increase business growth and integrate work strategies.
Resolved issues and recommended actions based on production and compliance reports.

Education

Architecture -

Lawrence Technological University

Interior Design/Fine Arts -

Center for Creative Studies

Skills

Over 25 years of experience in restaurant and retail design industry working daily with architects/consultants, General contractors, vendors, city boards/code compliance, budgets, scheduling
Extensive design and construction experience in free standing, in-line, prototype, rollout, remodeling, construction documents and construction management
Skilled in site plan development, and site selection
Experience in managing, mentoring, and building teams of designers that work together and love what they do
Skilled in communication to build cross functional alignment to drive goal and objectives
Experience in all aspects of the VE (value engineering) process, design, construction, venders, collaborating cross functionally to achieve goals that do not erode the brands’ identity

Extensive knowledge in BOH kitchen designs and adjacency's and related MEP requirements
Procedure Implementation
Strategic Planning
Project Management
Staff Management
Program Oversight

Hobbies and Interests

DYI projects around the house
Snowboarding
Jogging
Motorcycle riding and repair

Timeline