MELINDA ELESE SMITH
Assistant General Manager
Morristown,TN
Summary
Operations-focused management professional with 6+ years of progressive leadership experience overseeing multi-unit staff, P&L budgets, inventory, scheduling, and daily operations in fast-paced, guest-facing service environments. As a simultaneous Dual-Location General Manager, independently managed two separate sites — maintaining combined staffing structures, individual budgets, and quality standards without on-site executive support. Skilled at resolving guest concerns in real time, enforcing compliance, and driving measurable operational efficiency across departments. Consistent record of exceeding performance benchmarks and delivering tailored solutions under pressure. Ready to bring that same ownership mindset to hotel operations leadership.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Career Specialist & RESEA Coordinator
American Job Center
04.2024 - 08.2025
- Managed high-volume caseload of 100+ active clients in a federally regulated, compliance-driven environment — directly paralleling hotel AGM responsibilities for recordkeeping, cross-program coordination, reporting, and service accountability.
- Exceeded state performance benchmarks for client engagement, service delivery, and employment outcomes — recognized within the first quarter of program implementation.
- Maintained audit-ready case documentation for 100+ active participants across two federal programs simultaneously, ensuring zero compliance gaps under regular state review.
- Developed and executed a coordinated inter-program referral workflow between RESEA and WIOA, eliminating service gaps and improving participant access to resources — mirrors cross-department hotel operations coordination.
- Facilitated group orientations and career workshops for diverse populations, demonstrating ability to lead, brief, and train groups with clarity and authority.
- Created individualized action plans and conducted skills assessments, demonstrating client-centered problem-solving and the ability to triage competing priorities in a high-volume environment.
Administrative Assistant
Window Works of Chattanooga
03.2020 - 10.2020
- Managed high-volume multi-line phone system and served as primary point of contact for all visitors and clients — consistent with hotel front desk service standards.
- Designed a streamlined document filing system that reduced record retrieval time and improved administrative efficiency across departments.
- Coordinated scheduling, meetings, and logistics for the sales team, demonstrating strong organizational and time management skills in a fast-paced environment.
Dual-Location General Manager
Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt
04.2018 - 05.2020
- Sole GM responsible for full operations of two retail locations simultaneously — no secondary manager. Oversaw all staffing, budgets, inventory, compliance, scheduling, and guest experience across both sites.
- Operations & Multi-Site Management
- Directed daily operations across two locations concurrently, coordinating staffing, resources, and service standards at each site — equivalent scope to managing multiple hotel departments simultaneously.
- Enforced operational policies and safety procedures across both locations, ensuring consistent brand and compliance standards without on-site supervision from above.
- Managed vendor relationships and supply ordering for two sites, consolidating orders and negotiating terms to reduce costs while maintaining uninterrupted daily operations.
- Staff Leadership & Development
- Supervised, scheduled, and evaluated all team members across both locations; created staff schedules aligned with peak traffic patterns to maximize coverage while controlling labor costs.
- Designed and implemented a standardized onboarding program that reduced new hire ramp-up time and improved early-stage performance consistency across both sites.
- Conducted regular 1:1 performance coaching and formal evaluations; developed individualized improvement plans that increased team retention and operational reliability.
- Budget, Inventory & Cost Control
- Managed full operational budgets for two locations, tracking daily expenses and implementing cost-reduction measures without compromising service delivery or staff performance.
- Maintained inventory records across both sites; introduced a weekly audit process that reduced supply waste and ensured uninterrupted stock availability.
- Consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by executing targeted sales strategies and aligning staffing levels with demand — driving measurable revenue growth across both locations.
Associate Manager
Fazoli’s Restaurant
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Supported daily restaurant operations, staff supervision, opening/closing procedures, inventory, and customer service in a high-volume food service environment. Built foundational leadership and compliance skills.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Lee University
Cleveland, TN01-2016
Associate of Science - Business
Walters State Community College
Morristown, TN01-2013
Skills
Hotel Operations Management Property Management Front Desk Operations Housekeeping Coordination Guest Experience Service Recovery Night Audit Occupancy Management Revenue Management Labor Cost Control Shift Scheduling Multi-Department Oversight Vendor Management Safety Compliance Brand Standards Staff Retention Employee Development Operational Efficiency Budget Oversight Inventory Control PMS Software Opera Cloudbeds
CORE COMPETENCIES
Multi-Site Operations Management | Staff Supervision & Scheduling | Budget Control & Expense Tracking | Inventory & Supply Management | Guest Relations & Service Recovery | Employee Training & Development | Policy & Compliance Enforcement | Cross-Department Coordination | Performance Management | Front Desk & Housekeeping Oversight | Recordkeeping & Audit Reporting | Conflict Resolution
CAREER NOTE
Personal Development & Skill Building | 2020–2024: Utilized this period to pursue professional development, strengthen leadership competencies, and prepare for re-entry into a management-track role.
TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS
- Office Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite — Word, Excel, PowerPoint (daily use for reporting, budgeting, scheduling, and documentation)
- Operations Platforms: Case management and compliance-tracking systems with audit-ready reporting; functional equivalent to hotel PMS guest tracking, financial logs, and reservation reporting modules
- Scheduling Tools: Workforce scheduling and labor management platforms; applied across two simultaneous locations to coordinate staffing and control labor costs
- Hotel PMS: Actively building hands-on proficiency with Cloudbeds and Opera; strong foundation in the operational workflows these platforms support — reservations, housekeeping status, financial reporting, and guest history
- System Adaptability: Consistent record of learning and applying new platforms accurately in high-accountability, compliance-driven environments with no disruption to operations
Timeline
Career Specialist & RESEA Coordinator
American Job Center
04.2024 - 08.2025
Administrative Assistant
Window Works of Chattanooga
03.2020 - 10.2020
Dual-Location General Manager
Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt
04.2018 - 05.2020
Associate Manager
Fazoli’s Restaurant
08.2016 - 05.2018
Associate of Science - Business
Walters State Community College
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Lee University