Melo Smith
Hainesport,NJ
Summary
Dynamic owner/operator with a proven track record at Kitchen87, excelling in strategic planning and relationship management. Successfully trained and developed staff, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Expert in financial reporting and inventory management, driving profitability while fostering a positive team environment. Committed to delivering exceptional service and optimizing business performance.
Driven leader with strong problem-solving and customer service skills. Dedicated to providing highest level of service to customers and creating pleasant work environment for staff.
Pursuing full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management, and problem-solving expertise.
Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and project management skills. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner/Operator
Kitchen87
09.2014 - 08.2025
- Spoke professionally with customers regarding complaints, gathering all necessary information to make educated decisions and address issues.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Developed and nurtured lasting customer relationships by projecting professional corporate image and responding quickly to logistical and scheduling issues.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Kept all building areas and equipment functional and well-organized to promote business performance.
- Assessed income and expenses and adapted plans to improve profit levels.
- Sourced vendors, negotiated contracts, and managed efficient deliveries of high-quality supplies.
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
- Supervised daily activities of restaurant and 20 employees.
- Set employee schedules, delegated work, and monitored food quality and service performance.
- Managed payroll, daily deposits, and cost controls.
- Recruited, hired, and trained talented staff to fill vacancies.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive business plan to maximise restaurant success.
- Maintained positive relationships with local community and government officials.
- Reduced inaccuracies by carefully counting cash and keeping meticulous records of transactions.
- Maintained effective supply levels by monitoring and reordering food stock and dry goods.
- Reduced health risks and safety hazards by preparing beverage products consistently while creating cleaning schedules, restocking items and sanitizing equipment to adhere to health department standards.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and sanitation through correct procedures and scheduled cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
- Inspected equipment and machinery for proper working condition and directed staff to clean and repair as needed.
- Implemented effective inventory control systems to reduce food spoilage and waste.
- Enhanced financial controls to minimize theft and loss risks, continuously maintaining accurate accounts and cash drawers.
- Oversaw food preparation and monitored safety protocols.
- Purchased food and cultivated strong vendor relationships.
- Managed staff schedules and maintained adequate coverage for all shifts.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
Bartender/server
Carollos Bar
09.2004 - 09.2014
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Obtained cash bank and stocked service bar to prepare for operation.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays, and delivery bags.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Upheld strict regulations for safe alcohol service and food safety.
- Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines, and mixers.
- Kept bar stocked with liquors, juices and garnishes for drinks.
- Cultivated strong relationships with repeat customers, engaging in friendly conversation and memorizing drink orders to promote loyalty.
- Tracked bar stock levels and promptly replenished low materials to prevent shortages.
- Prepared garnishes by evenly slicing and pitting fruits.
Assistant
Jack Morton, Worldwide
02.2000 - 05.2002
- Assisted manager in all aspects of business operations.
- Greeted guests in with friendliness and professionalism.
- Answered incoming phone calls to process requests, transfer calls, or relay messages to appropriate personnel.
- Worked closely with management to provide effective assistance for specific aspects of business operations.
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
- Maintained inventory of office supplies and placed orders.
- Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
- Supported company leaders by managing budgets, scheduling appointments and organizing itinerary.
- Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
- Facilitated timely delivery of special projects to meet organizational and departmental objectives.
- Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
- Completed forms, reports, logs, and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources.
- Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy.
- Opened and properly distributed incoming mail to promote quicker response to client inquiries.
- Managed paper and electronic filing systems by routing various documents, taking messages and managing incoming and outgoing mail.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
Customer Service Representative
Educational Testing Service Inc.
10.1998 - 02.1999
- Responded to customer requests for products, services, and company information.
- Followed-through on all critical inter-departmental escalations to increase customer retention rates.
- Investigated and resolved accounting, service and delivery concerns.
- Sought ways to improve processes and services provided.
- Responded to customer requests, offering excellent support and tailored recommendations to address needs.
- Calculated correct order totals, updated accounts, and maintained detailed records for inventory management.
- Responded proactively and positively to rapid change.
- Promptly responded to inquiries and requests from prospective customers.
- Implemented and developed customer service training processes.
- Educated customers about billing, payment processing and support policies and procedures.
- Exhibited high energy and professionalism when dealing with clients and staff.
- Investigated and resolved customer inquiries and complaints quickly.
- Delivered exceptional customer service to every customer by leveraging extensive knowledge of products and services and creating welcoming, positive experiences.
- Identified and resolved discrepancies and errors in customer accounts.
- Delivered prompt service to prioritize customer needs.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of product and service changes.
- Met customer call guidelines for service levels, handle time and productivity.
Education
High School Diploma -
06.1998
- Honoree of National Honor Society
- Vice President of our National Honor Society
- Class Vice President Junior/Senior Year
- Honor Roll all 4 years of high school GPA 3.8
- Relevant Coursework: Cosmetology
Skills
- Sales negotiation
- Mechanical recoveries
- Strategic planning
- Staff training and development
- Financial reporting
- Human resource management
- Relationship management
- Inventory management
- Operations management
- Business operations management
- Documentation and reporting
- Client relationship management
Timeline
Owner/Operator - Kitchen87
09.2014 - 08.2025
Bartender/server - Carollos Bar
09.2004 - 09.2014
Assistant - Jack Morton, Worldwide
02.2000 - 05.2002
Customer Service Representative - Educational Testing Service Inc.
10.1998 - 02.1999
Burlington County Institute Of Technology - High School Diploma,