Melissa Baxter
Clearwater,FL
Summary
Competent Server and Trainer offering 16 years of food service experience in high volume high end and casual restaurants. Quick learner with good multitasking skills and exceptional work ethic. Delivers training on discussing menu items in detail, providing targeted suggestions, and finishing dishes for new employee development. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Proficient Server Trainer with top-notch leadership, planning and multitasking abilities. Highly observant and proactive with hardworking nature and controlled approach to managing high workloads in stressful environments. Adept at building relationships with employees and motivating each to success.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Server / Trainer
FIRSTWATCH RESTAURANTS INC
01.2024 - Current
- Increased staff retention through effective communication and fostering a positive work environment.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and anticipating guest needs.
- Collaborated with management to identify areas of improvement in service standards, implementing necessary changes.
- Addressed guest concerns promptly, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction despite any issues that arose during their visit.
- Kept updated knowledge of menu and promotions, recommending specific items according to preferences and food allergies while upselling product
- Train and mentor new hire servers through developed program including hands-on training
Manager
Ulele
03.2023 - 01.2024
- Provided excellent leadership to team to create a positive and productive work environment
- Focus on management of increasing sales, product, labor, and equipment to ensure a profitable and successful operation
- Ongoing education and development of staff adhering to all safety, sanitation and service standards
- Optimized resource allocation by conducting regular performance evaluations and providing personalized coaching for staff development.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Exceed service standards with guests to ensure repeat business and increase sales by mentoring service staff and increasing their knowledge of all aspects of 5 star service
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
Server
Ulele
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, liquors and beer as well as appropriate entree pairings.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly attending to their needs and providing personalized service.
- Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
- Provided attentive service during high-volume periods without sacrificing attention to detail or guest rapport.
- Assisted in training new hires, providing guidance on restaurant standards and best practices.
- Supported colleagues during peak hours, fostering a collaborative work environment that enhanced overall productivity levels.
- Developed strong rapport with regular customers through genuine hospitality efforts leading to repeat business.
- Increased sales with upselling techniques and thorough knowledge of menu items, specials, and promotions.
Lead Bartender
Cru Cellars
05.2021 - 10.2022
- Provided excellent leadership to team to create a positive and productive work environment
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Developed a loyal customer base by fostering an engaging and welcoming atmosphere for patrons.
- Collaborated with management to create enticing promotions for special events and holidays, driving increased foot traffic to the establishment.
- Oversee execution of service with food quality and guest experience
- Ensure weekly ordering and stocking of product and operational supplies is completed accurately
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer as well as appropriate entree pairings increasing daily beverage sales.
Lead Server / Trainer
FIRSTWATCH RESTAURANTS INC
01.2018 - 08.2022
- Oversee daily operations of all members of service team, including delegating tasks, training new staff
- Provided excellent leadership to team to create a positive and productive work environment
- Assigned work tasks and coordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide prompt and excellent effective service to patrons to foster repeat business
- Team leader
- Kept updated knowledge of menu and promotions, recommending specific items according to preferences and food allergies while upselling product
- Created orders, documented special requests and followed up with kitchen personnel to foster top-quality service and minimize complaints
- Train and mentor new hire servers through developed program including hands-on training
- Utilizing skills and years of experience to ensure new employee is set up for success.
Server
Ford's Garage
03.2017 - 02.2021
- Created orders, documented special requests and followed up with kitchen personnel to foster top-quality service and minimize complaints
- Kept updated knowledge of menu and promotions, recommending specific items according to preferences and food allergies
- Monitored guests for intoxication and immediately reported concerns to management, contributing to safe and welcoming environments for all patrons
- Collected credit card, cash and gift certificate payments and dispensed change for cash transactions
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer as well as appropriate entree pairings increasing daily beverage sales.
Accounts Receivable Team Lead
Quality Carriers
08.2012 - 01.2018
- Introduced new accounting, financial and operational systems to maximize efficiency and recordkeeping accuracy for business to business collections
- Provided excellent leadership to A/R team to create a positive and productive work environment
- Directed automation of office procedures such as correspondence management, recordkeeping and online communications
- Analyzed financial data derived from multiple reporting systems to develop recommendations for operational and performance improvements
- Reviewed account documentation for over 100 accounts, rectified issues and contacted vendors to reduce DSO
- Contract and documentation review and reconciliation
- Reconciled accounts, managed audits and updated financial records with remarkable accuracy
- Audited team portfolios and provide coaching to assist in refusing DSO
- Intermittently worked remote from home.
Financial Foundations Associate/ Insurance agent
USAA
04.2011 - 08.2012
- Licensed 2-20 Agent
- Determined financial needs by assessing existing coverage and aligning new products and services with long-term goals in call center
- Determined client needs and financial situations by listening and scheduling fact-finding appointments
- Built relationships with clients through active listening to provide excellent service
- Maintained high standards of customer service by building relationships with clients
- Intermittently worked remote from home.
Claims Specialist
Thomson Learning
01.2002 - 02.2007
- Successfully managed claim process for large college bookstore accounts
- Effectively handled phone escalation calls and account resolution in call center
- Improved team production by creating excel reports to track claim process
- Ensured orders were fulfilled in a timely manner and tracked progress of logistics to end user
- Actively coached and mentored new claims processors to provide them with the tools necessary to achieve their goals and increase productivity using statistical and performance feedback.
Education
Some college - EDUCATION
LEHIGH COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Schnecksville, PASome college - BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Tampa, FLHigh school diploma -
Emmaus High School
Emmaus, PASkills
- Conflict resolution
- Staff Education and training
- Process improvement
- Time management
- Wine pairing
- Exceptional communication
- High-volume dining
- Food and beverage pairings
- Management (8 years)
- Team motivation
- Exceptional leadership
- Strong multitasking
- Guest Relations
Certification
- Food Handler Certification
- Insurance Producer License
- Bartender License
- Property & Casualty License
Timeline
Lead Server / Trainer
FIRSTWATCH RESTAURANTS INC
01.2024 - Current
Manager
Ulele
03.2023 - 01.2024
Server
Ulele
10.2022 - 03.2023
Lead Bartender
Cru Cellars
05.2021 - 10.2022
Lead Server / Trainer
FIRSTWATCH RESTAURANTS INC
01.2018 - 08.2022
Server
Ford's Garage
03.2017 - 02.2021
Accounts Receivable Team Lead
Quality Carriers
08.2012 - 01.2018
Financial Foundations Associate/ Insurance agent
USAA
04.2011 - 08.2012
Claims Specialist
Thomson Learning
01.2002 - 02.2007
Some college - EDUCATION
LEHIGH COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Some college - BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
High school diploma -
Emmaus High School