JOHNATHAN FLORES SOTO
Clearwater
Summary
Results-driven Hospitality Operations Leader with nearly 20 years of experience enhancing operational effectiveness and financial performance in full-service and select-service hotels. Expertise in managing food and beverage operations, hotel openings, and turnaround initiatives while collaborating with ownership and property leadership. Skilled in strategic planning, cost control, and revenue optimization to boost profitability and elevate guest experiences.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
2
2
Languages
Work History
Director of Food and Beverage
Shaner Corporation
Jacksonville Beach, FL
02.2023 - Current
- Directed multiple food and beverage operations across several hotel properties as a Corporate Task Force Director, providing operational support, leadership transitions, and performance improvement initiatives
- Partnered with executive leadership, ownership groups, and hotel General Managers to standardize operating procedures and improve financial performance across full-service and select-service hotels
- Led successful hotel openings, transitions, and turnaround initiatives while maintaining brand standards and operational continuity.
- Fostered partnerships with local suppliers to enhance sustainability practices while coordinating cross-departmental initiatives that elevated overall guest experience.
- Developed and implemented company-wide operational standards, training programs, and SOPs that improved consistency across multiple departments.
- Managed multi-million dollar F&B operations with full P&L responsibility, including budgeting, forecasting, labor management, purchasing, and inventory controls.
- Consistently delivered positive F&B cost performance through menu engineering, purchasing strategies, and waste reduction
- Mentored emerging leaders who earned internal promotions into supervisory and management roles
General Manager
Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill
Palm Valley, FL
03.2018 - 02.2023
- Managed a multi-million dollar local waterfront restaurant with full budgeting, forecasting labor management, and purchasing.
- successfully managed operations during high-volume events gathering significant incremental revenue while maintaining labor efficiencies.
- Directed daily operations to enhance guest satisfaction and streamline service delivery.
- Implemented cost control measures to optimize budget management and reduce waste.
- Established partnerships with local suppliers to enhance ingredient quality and support community business.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas for menu innovation and service improvement.
- Fostered a positive workplace culture by promoting teamwork and employee engagement initiatives.
- Oversaw compliance with health regulations, ensuring safe food handling practices throughout the establishment.
Corporate Director of Food and Beverage
Driftwood Hospitality
Various Locations
10.2013 - 06.2019
- Trusted corporate leader selected to stabilize underperforming operations, mentor leadership teams, and implement best practices across multiple hotels.
- Recognized for successfully leading operational transitions and improving financial performance in complex hospitality environments.
- Combined operational expertise with financial acumen to drive sustainable revenue growth while enhancing guest and associate experiences.
- Collaborated with marketing to develop unique dining experiences that enhanced brand identity.
- Orchestrated seamless coordination between kitchen, service, and management teams. Facilitated cross-departmental projects, enhancing overall guest experience and operational synergy.
- Collaborated with marketing to create unique dining experiences that enhanced brand identity.
- Collaborated with brand leadership, ownership groups, and executive teams to align operational goals with long term business strategies.
Education
Hospitality Management - Hospitality Administration And Management
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FLSkills
- P&L Management
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Cost Management
- Leadership development
- Strategic Planning
- Multi-unit operations
- Hospitality Management
- Starbucks Licensed Operations
- Toast POS (Expert)
- Xactimate (in progress)
- Staff training
Accomplishments
- Supervised teams of 40-60 staff members.
- Collaborated with team of 5 F&B Corporate Leaders in the development of several hotel openings.
- Consistently achieved or exceeded budgeted financial goals through strategic labor management, menu engineering, and cost control initiatives.
- Built and developed high performing leadership teams through coaching, mentoring, secession planning, and internal promotions
Certification
ServSafe Manager Certified
ServSafe Instructor & Proctor certified
TIPS Trainer certification
Allergen Certified
CPR Certified
Human Trafficking training certified
LANGUAGES
English (Highly proficient)
Spanish (Native)
Timeline
Director of Food and Beverage
Shaner Corporation
02.2023 - Current
General Manager
Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill
03.2018 - 02.2023
Corporate Director of Food and Beverage
Driftwood Hospitality
10.2013 - 06.2019
Hospitality Management - Hospitality Administration And Management
Santa Fe College