Mark Grayson
Summary
Highly driven General Manager successful at implementing strategic approaches to drive profitability and sales. Recognized for performance excellence in operations and customer care. Successful at motivating, training and developing team members to drive profitability in highly competitive environment.
Customer-oriented general manager with several years of experience focused on increasing production and minimizing downtime. Adaptive and deadline-oriented with capacity to execute and complete multiple projects in high-stress environments. Meticulous leader and strategic planner with comprehensive managerial acumen.
Service-oriented professional focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences to drive consistent revenue growth. Coordinates resources to meet expected business and customer demands. Sales expert, organized decision-maker and strategic planner with top-notch interpersonal and communication skills.
Accomplished industry leader offering many years of management expertise including staff training and development, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement. Focused and efficient with proficiency in financial reporting and budget adherence. Demonstrated success in evaluating P&L to achieve targets.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Dicks Last Resort LLC
Dallas, Texas
07.2024 - 12.2025
- Led daily operations to enhance customer experiences and service efficiency.
- Managed staff schedules to ensure proper coverage during peak hours.
- Oversaw inventory management and ordering processes for timely supply availability.
- Developed training programs for new employees on service protocols and standards.
- Fostered a positive work environment to promote teamwork and communication.
- Implemented marketing strategies to attract customers and boost brand visibility.
- Conducted performance evaluations to support employee development and recognition.
- Collaborated with vendors to negotiate pricing and improve product offerings.
- Managed all aspects of daily business operations including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service and sales.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly while maintaining high quality standards of service delivery.
- Trained employees on duties, policies and procedures.
- Created schedules and monitored payroll to remain within budget.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff members to ensure efficient operations.
- Administered employee discipline through verbal and written warnings.
- Created a positive work environment by developing team building activities that encouraged collaboration among departments.
- Tracked monthly sales to generate reports for business development planning.
- Built and maintained loyal, long-term customer relationships through effective account management.
- Guided management and supervisory staff to promote smooth operations.
- Managed inventory levels and conducted corrective action planning to minimize long-term costs.
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through hands-on leadership of associates and managers.
Assistant Manager
Dicks last resort
Dallas, Tx
02.2018 - 07.2024
- Supervised daily operations and staff performance at a vibrant dining establishment.
- Coordinated training programs to enhance team skills and service quality.
- Managed inventory levels and ensured timely restocking of supplies.
- Developed engaging customer interactions to maintain a lively atmosphere.
- Executed promotional events to attract guests and increase foot traffic.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly to ensure satisfaction and retention.
- Collaborated with management on staff scheduling and shift assignments.
- Implemented operational improvements to streamline workflows and efficiency.
- Managed customer service inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.
- Supervised daily operations including scheduling shifts, assigning duties.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of company products and services.
- Monitored employee attendance records, timekeeping, and payroll information.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
- Provided guidance and support to junior staff members on daily tasks, projects, and objectives.
- Resolved conflicts between team members in an effective manner.
- Collaborated with management on developing strategic plans for achieving business goals.
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure smooth flow of operations.
- Organized training sessions for new hires to familiarize them with the workplace environment.
- Developed a system for tracking inventory and ordering supplies as needed.
- Created reports on sales trends, inventory levels, and financial data.
- Established processes for monitoring customer satisfaction levels.
- Assisted in the development of operational strategies to ensure efficient and productive operations.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for employees to identify areas of improvement.
Server
Dicks last resort
Dallas, Tx
01.2004 - 02.2018
- Provided exceptional customer service in a lively, humorous dining environment.
- Managed order accuracy and timely delivery of food and beverages.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure smooth service flow during peak hours.
- Trained new servers on menu items and customer interaction techniques.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining area throughout shifts.
- Handled customer inquiries and resolved issues promptly and professionally.
- Assisted in inventory management and restocking of supplies as needed.
- Fostered a fun atmosphere by engaging customers in light-hearted banter.
- Provided excellent customer service to ensure satisfaction.
- Performed opening and closing duties such as setting up the dining area, restocking supplies.
- Provided exceptional service to high volume of daily customers.
- Took orders from customers accurately and in a timely manner.
- Handled money transactions accurately while following company procedures for handling cash payments.
- Operated POS terminals to input orders, split bills, and calculate totals.
- Greeted customers, answered questions, and recommended specials to increase profits.
- Displayed enthusiasm and knowledge about restaurant's menu and products.
- Responded efficiently to guest inquiries and complaints in a professional manner.
- Communicated with hosts, bussers, and kitchen staff to prepare for and serve customers.
- Communicated effectively with kitchen staff regarding customer allergies or special requests.
- Delivered food orders promptly and courteously.
- Cleaned tables and chairs to prepare dining area for next customers.
- Assisted in training new servers.
- Collaborated with other restaurant staff members to ensure efficient operations within the restaurant environment.
- Completed cleaning duties by sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet and tidying up server stations.
- Followed health safety guidelines when preparing and serving food products.
- Checked food before serving it to customers.
- Greeted guests and provided menus.
- Promoted desserts, appetizers, and specialty drinks to optimize sales.
- Stayed informed about daily specials, new menu items, promotions.
- Trained new employees on restaurant procedures and plating techniques.
- Addressed complaints to kitchen staff and served replacement items.
- Arranged place settings with clean tablecloths, napkins and tableware to prepare for incoming guests.
- Enforced minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages by checking identification.
- Prepared drinks according to standard recipes.
- Implemented feedback from customers to improve service quality and menu offerings.
- Explained menu options to guests, offered suggestions and took orders for food and beverages.
- Explained menu items, describing ingredients and cooking methods upon request.
- Stocked service areas with supplies during slow periods.
- Informed customers of daily specials and signature menu items.
- Prepared checks, itemizing total meal costs and taxes.
- Took reservations and to-go orders to streamline process for both customer and restaurant.
- Filled condiments and napkin containers during slack periods.
- Set up tables in between patrons to reduce wait times.
- Checked identification to verify if guests meet minimum age to legally purchase or consume alcoholic beverages.
Press Operator
Seville Flexpack
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
01.1999 - 04.2003
- Operated flexographic printing presses to produce high-quality packaging materials.
- Set up and adjusted press configurations for various print jobs and materials.
- Monitored production processes to ensure alignment with quality standards.
- Conducted routine maintenance on printing equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Coordinated with team members to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency.
- Trained new operators on equipment use and safety procedures in the workplace.
- Inspected printed products for defects and ensured compliance with specifications.
- Maintained accurate records of production runs and machine performance data.
- Ensure that all safety regulations are followed while operating machinery.
Painter
Steve Serchen painting
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
08.1996 - 11.1999
- Prepared surfaces by scraping, sanding, and cleaning for paint application.
- Mixed paints and coatings to achieve desired colors and finishes.
- Applied paint using brushes, rollers, and spray equipment for smooth coverage.
- Followed safety protocols and guidelines to maintain a secure work environment.
- Collaborated with clients to understand project specifications and preferences.
- Maintained tools and equipment to ensure optimal performance during projects.
- Trained new team members on painting techniques and safety practices.
- Inspected completed work for quality assurance and consistency in finish.
- Applied paint with brushes, rollers, spray guns, or other equipment.
- Cleaned up job sites after completion of projects.
- Used power and hand tools safely and effectively.
- Used ladders and scaffolds to reach high walls and ceilings.
- Painted walls and other surfaces using traditional and sprayer methods and worked efficiently to complete jobs within required timeframes.
- Cleaned and smoothed surfaces prior to painting.
- Wore protective clothing such as masks, respirators and gloves.
- Performed repairs to defects in walls by patching holes and scrapes prior at project start.
- Applied primers and sealers to prepare new surfaces for painting.
- Inspected painted surfaces for defects such as cracking, blistering, or fading.
- Sanded woodwork prior to staining or painting.
- Assessed work areas to determine safety measures required before beginning the job.
- Repaired cracks in drywall prior to painting or wallpapering rooms.
- Consulted with clients regarding colors and finishes.
- Smoothed and finished surfaces on walls, trim and cabinetry.
- Protected furniture from dust generated during the preparation of walls.
- Mixed and applied paints, varnishes and sealants to promote lasting finish.
- Spread undercoats and finish materials using rollers and spray equipment.
- Operated airless spray equipment and motorized lifts.
- Identified surface to be covered and characteristics of finish to properly select roller, power sprayer and right size brush.
- Removed old wall coverings before applying new ones.
- Chose correct brushes and materials for jobs and purchased from vendors.
- Mixed paints to desired color and texture.
- Estimated cost of materials needed for the project.
- Maintained thorough inventory of paint equipment and supplies by checking product levels.
- Selected, mixed and applied surface coatings to match and restore interior or exterior surfaces.
Education
Hamilton High School
Sussex, WISkills
- Operations management
- Budgeting
- Inventory control
- Employee training
- Operational management
- Customer service
- Staff training
- Performance evaluation
- Budget management
- Vendor negotiation
- Marketing strategy
- Team building
- Conflict resolution
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Relationship management
- Quality assurance
- Performance analysis
- Schedule management
- Budget coordination
- Training and coaching
- Goal setting
- Proficient in [software]
- Performance evaluations
- Team oversight
- Regulatory affairs
- Profit and loss
- Staffing
- Leadership
- Motivation
- PC competent
- Problem resolution
- Organizational restructure and change
- Event management and promotion
- Vendor negotiations
- Leader
- Purchasing
- Leadership and team building
- Supply chain management
- Public relations
- Deadline oriented
- Negotiation skills
- Safety protocol
- Financial document control
- Departmental operations management
- Communication skills
- Labor cost controls
- Verbal and written communication
- Profit and loss accountability
- Sales
- Customer relations
- Employee development
- Cross-functional team management
- Workflow planning
- Customer relationship management
Timeline
General Manager
Dicks Last Resort LLC
07.2024 - 12.2025
Assistant Manager
Dicks last resort
02.2018 - 07.2024
Server
Dicks last resort
01.2004 - 02.2018
Press Operator
Seville Flexpack
01.1999 - 04.2003
Painter
Steve Serchen painting
08.1996 - 11.1999
Hamilton High School