Keita-Zakiya Starks
Detroit,MI
Summary
Dynamic and highly motivated professional with extensive experience as a Fry Cook at Arby's, excelling in food preparation and kitchen organization. Proven ability to enhance customer satisfaction through attention to detail and effective teamwork, consistently delivering high-quality dishes while maintaining strict food safety standards.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Fry/Line Cook
Arby's
04.2017 - 02.2025
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean and safe working environment, adhering to health and safety guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Adapted quickly to new recipes and techniques, demonstrating versatility and eagerness to learn from colleagues.
- Prepared and cooked full course meals based on restaurant recipes and specifications.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
- Plated and presented all dishes to match established restaurant standards.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Upheld strict sanitation standards while preparing meals, maintaining a clean workspace free of cross-contamination risks.
- Checked food temperature regularly to verify proper cooking and safety.
- Expedited service during peak hours by coordinating with fellow line cooks on timing of dish completion.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by streamlining prep tasks and effectively organizing workstations.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Increased kitchen productivity by keeping tools organized for easy access when needed.
- Supported head chef during high-volume periods by efficiently executing complex tasks with precision under pressure.
- Boosted employee morale through positive attitude, willingness to assist others when needed.
- Demonstrated proficiency in using various kitchen equipment safely for efficient food preparation.
- Grilled meats and seafood to customer specifications.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality dishes in a timely manner.
- Operated varied kitchen equipment, observing operation guidelines to avoid accidents and prevent malfunctions.
- Wrapped up and stored unused food in appropriate containers and placed in refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
- Maintained consistent portion control, ensuring uniformity in presentation and reducing food waste.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Ensured smooth kitchen operations during special events or private parties by collaborating with front-of-house staff and adjusting to specific client requests.
- Followed restaurant stock management schedule to monitor product freshness and rotate out old products.
CSR, Sales
AutoZone
05.2024 - 09.2024
- Built strong relationships with clients, leading to repeat business and referrals.
- Managed a high volume of inbound calls while maintaining a professional demeanor under pressure.
- Educated customers on product features, benefits, pricing options, warranties, promotions, financing structures available during purchase decision-making process.
- Developed an in-depth understanding of product offerings to better assist customers with their purchasing decisions.
- Delivered exceptional service, consistently meeting or exceeding performance metrics.
- Identified potential areas for improvement within the sales process through data analysis and feedback from clients.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
- Provided personalized product recommendations based on customers'' needs and preferences.
- Streamlined the sales process for increased efficiency and improved customer experience.
- Collaborated with team members to exceed sales targets and achieve company goals.
Assembler
Chrysler
11.2023 - 01.2024
- Maintained safe working environment by strictly following safety guidelines and procedures during machine operation.
- Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to new processes, machinery, or technology as required within the evolving landscape of the molding industry.
- Improved product quality by monitoring and adjusting molding machine settings according to specifications.
- Contributed to a well-organized workspace by adhering to 5S principles for cleanliness and orderliness within the work area.
- Promoted effective communication between shifts regarding machine performance, production goals, and ongoing concerns or challenges faced during daily operations.
- Enhanced team productivity by collaborating with coworkers to troubleshoot issues and maintain smooth operations.
- Identified potential equipment malfunctions early by conducting routine inspections of machinery components.
- Facilitated changeovers in a timely manner by swiftly switching molds as required per production schedule demands.
- Ensured timely production by maintaining consistent operation of molding machines and meeting deadlines.
- Completed daily production records accurately to ensure effective tracking of inventory levels and production progress.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations through strict adherence to company policies related to quality control measures.
- Maximized efficiency with proper mold setup, material preparation, and accurate machine programming.
- Managed material supply needs for the molding department by communicating inventory status promptly to relevant teams.
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives by participating in process audits, implementing corrective actions, and suggesting improvements based on observations.
- Reduced material waste by performing regular maintenance and cleaning of the molding machines.
- Maintained safe working conditions and followed proper operating practices and procedures to avoid injuries and accidents.
- Inspected molded product per quality requirements and mold book, delivering ideal results and minimizing waste.
- Maintained smooth production when operating injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment.
- Tackled rework tasks with re-inspection, sorting, adjustments and cleaning of parts.
- Observed manufacturer instructions when operating plastic molding and casting machines to optimize quality.
- Reviewed job specifications prior to setting up casting machines to determine appropriate time and temperature settings.
- Contacted supervisor with detailed reports on equipment requiring advanced repairs to obtain quick resolutions and return machinery back to optimal performance levels.
- Observed continuous operation of automatic machines to guarantee products met specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
- Maintained high level of adaptability by adjusting work procedures to meet specific demands of each production run.
- Applied quality control skills by inspecting cured products for defects, assigning grades and removing unacceptable items.
Line Cook
Taco Bell
01.2024 - 06.2024
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean and safe working environment, adhering to health and safety guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Adapted quickly to new recipes and techniques, demonstrating versatility and eagerness to learn from colleagues.
- Prepared and cooked full course meals based on restaurant recipes and specifications.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Plated and presented all dishes to match established restaurant standards.
- Upheld strict sanitation standards while preparing meals, maintaining a clean workspace free of cross-contamination risks.
- Checked food temperature regularly to verify proper cooking and safety.
- Expedited service during peak hours by coordinating with fellow line cooks on timing of dish completion.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by streamlining prep tasks and effectively organizing workstations.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Increased kitchen productivity by keeping tools organized for easy access when needed.
- Supported head chef during high-volume periods by efficiently executing complex tasks with precision under pressure.
- Boosted employee morale through positive attitude, willingness to assist others when needed.
Molding Machine Operator
Wilkos Plastics
02.2024 - 05.2024
- Maintained safe working environment by strictly following safety guidelines and procedures during machine operation.
- Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to new processes, machinery, or technology as required within the evolving landscape of the molding industry.
- Improved product quality by monitoring and adjusting molding machine settings according to specifications.
- Contributed to a well-organized workspace by adhering to 5S principles for cleanliness and orderliness within the work area.
- Promoted effective communication between shifts regarding machine performance, production goals, and ongoing concerns or challenges faced during daily operations.
- Enhanced team productivity by collaborating with coworkers to troubleshoot issues and maintain smooth operations.
- Identified potential equipment malfunctions early by conducting routine inspections of machinery components.
- Facilitated changeovers in a timely manner by swiftly switching molds as required per production schedule demands.
- Ensured timely production by maintaining consistent operation of molding machines and meeting deadlines.
- Completed daily production records accurately to ensure effective tracking of inventory levels and production progress.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations through strict adherence to company policies related to quality control measures.
- Maximized efficiency with proper mold setup, material preparation, and accurate machine programming.
- Managed material supply needs for the molding department by communicating inventory status promptly to relevant teams.
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives by participating in process audits, implementing corrective actions, and suggesting improvements based on observations.
- Reduced material waste by performing regular maintenance and cleaning of the molding machines.
- Maintained safe working conditions and followed proper operating practices and procedures to avoid injuries and accidents.
- Inspected molded product per quality requirements and mold book, delivering ideal results and minimizing waste.
- Maintained smooth production when operating injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment.
- Tackled rework tasks with re-inspection, sorting, adjustments and cleaning of parts.
- Observed manufacturer instructions when operating plastic molding and casting machines to optimize quality.
- Reviewed job specifications prior to setting up casting machines to determine appropriate time and temperature settings.
- Contacted supervisor with detailed reports on equipment requiring advanced repairs to obtain quick resolutions and return machinery back to optimal performance levels.
- Observed continuous operation of automatic machines to guarantee products met specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
- Maintained high level of adaptability by adjusting work procedures to meet specific demands of each production run.
- Applied quality control skills by inspecting cured products for defects, assigning grades and removing unacceptable items.
Education
N/A -
Macomb Community College
Warren, MIDetroit International Academy
N/A -
Wayne State University
Detroit, MISkills
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Highly motivated
- Cleaning and organization
- Professional attitude
- Customer service
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Active listener
- Food preparation
- Problem-solving
- Food safety knowledge
- Team coordination
- Food safety
- Cleanliness standards
- Kitchen sanitization
- Knife skills
- Kitchen station setup
- Kitchen sanitation
- Following cooking methods
- Deep fryer operation
- Kitchen organization
- Quality control
- Kitchen operations
- Line management
- Workload management
- Grilling techniques
- Ingredient preparation
- Food safety standards
- Server communication
- Meat cutting
- Frying techniques
- Food presentation
- Food allergen safety
- Inventory management
- Food plating
- Prepared foods plating
- Food storage
- Prioritization and organization
- Leadership and decision making
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Effective prioritization
Timeline
CSR, Sales
AutoZone
05.2024 - 09.2024
Molding Machine Operator
Wilkos Plastics
02.2024 - 05.2024
Line Cook
Taco Bell
01.2024 - 06.2024
Assembler
Chrysler
11.2023 - 01.2024
Fry/Line Cook
Arby's
04.2017 - 02.2025
N/A -
Macomb Community College
Detroit International Academy
N/A -
Wayne State University