Kerry Hale
Suwanee,GA
Summary
Dynamic General Manager with a proven track record at Salata Salad Kitchen, excelling in operations management and team leadership. Enhanced customer satisfaction through strategic planning and effective training programs, achieving significant improvements in service quality. Achieving Top 5 of all Salata Salad Kitchens numerous times for top percentage sales increases over LY.
Skilled in inventory control and fostering a collaborative work environment, driving performance and operational efficiency. Ensuring a profitable P&L during all 4 quarters of the year.
Professional leader with comprehensive experience in driving operational excellence and strategic growth. Proven track record of fostering team collaboration and achieving impactful results in dynamic environments. Skilled in navigating complex challenges, optimizing processes, and cultivating positive workplace cultures. Known for adaptability, effective communication, and strong decision-making abilities.
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet restaurant and team goals.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Salata Salad Kitchen
03.2024 - Current
- Manage daily operations to ensure efficient service and customer satisfaction.
- Responsible for recruiting, hiring and onboarding of all new team members and managers.
- Train and supervise staff, fostering a collaborative team environment and empowering team members to go above and beyond for all our guests as well as each other.
- Manage inventory control and ordering for cost efficiency. Implement cost-control measures, optimizing inventory management processes.
- Weekly inventory counts ensuring the restaurant stays within the set food cost budgets. Maintaining effective inventory control systems to reduce food spoilage and waste.
- Effectively managing labor costs by monitoring productivity levels among staff members and making strategic scheduling decisions ensuring labor goals and percentages are achieved daily.
- Monitoring financial performance, budgets, and expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Daily payroll and timekeeping monitoring as well as processing all paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Addressing customer concerns promptly and professionally, turning any potentially negative experience into a positive, ensuring the guest will want to return in the future.
- Verify food preparation meets the standards for quality and quantity before serving our guests.
- Ensure customer satisfaction through consistent delivery of high quality food. Maintaining a full, clean and stocked line so every guest from open to close will experience the same value proposition.
- Maximize quality assurance by completing frequent line checks and monitoring back of the house operations.
- Develop and maintain a strong team of motivated staff by providing ongoing training and development opportunities, as well as giving timely and consistent feedback regarding performance.
- Set clear expectations and created positive working environment for employees.
- Evaluate performance metrics regularly, identifying areas for improvement and adjusting strategies accordingly for continued growth in sales figures.
- Analyze variances and implement corrective actions to increase average meal checks and customer visits. Daily monitoring of guest counts and average guest checks to ensure we are providing the highest quality food and best service.
- Streamline operational processes to improve overall efficiency without compromising service or product quality.
General Manager
Cava Grill
10.2021 - 03.2024
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Developed operational strategies to enhance team performance and efficiency.
- Managed a diverse team of 30+ employees fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored staff, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
- Led performance reviews, setting clear objectives to boost employee engagement and productivity.
- Implemented robust inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and minimize waste/costs associated with excess product storage.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, minimizing waste and ensuring optimal stock levels for uninterrupted operations.
- Addressed customer complaints and feedback with immediate action, turning dissatisfied customers into loyal customers.
- Interacting with customers during all shifts to build connections, nurture relationships and gather feedback regarding my teams performance.
Multi Unit Manager
Zoes Kitchen
02.2018 - 10.2021
- Oversaw daily operation across 5 locations to ensure compliance with all company policies and food safety standards.
- Implemented training programs for staff, enhancing team performance and operational efficiency.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, informing strategic decisions to boost revenue.
- Coordinated inventory management processes, reducing waste and optimizing supply chain flows.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations of 5 GM's, and 5 GMIT's providing constructive feedback to promote employee growth, teamwork, and ensure we always have GMIT's ready to step into GM roles.
- Streamlined communication between units, fostering collaboration and consistency in service delivery.
- Developed strong teams within each unit through effective recruitment, coaching, and mentoring efforts.
- Reduced employee turnover rates by fostering a positive work environment that encouraged professional growth and development.
- Managed financial aspects of multiple units, ensuring optimal cost control and revenue generation strategies were in place.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout all locations.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Increased overall efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing standardized processes across multiple units.
- Created a culture of accountability across all units by setting clear expectations for team members at every level within the organization.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing Communication
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO05-1991
Skills
- Leadership, team building, training and coaching
- Problem resolution
- Operations management
- Strategic planning
- Efficient multi-tasker
- Time management
- Customer relationship management
- Training and development
- Inventory and Expense control
- Goal setting
- P&L management
- Labor cost controls
- Performance improvement
- Consistently exceeding store and company goals quarterly and yearly
- Exceptional interpersonal communication
- Recruiting
- New business development
Timeline
General Manager
Salata Salad Kitchen
03.2024 - Current
General Manager
Cava Grill
10.2021 - 03.2024
Multi Unit Manager
Zoes Kitchen
02.2018 - 10.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing Communication
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs