Michael Brown
Valparaiso,IN
Summary
Performance-oriented, high-EQ hospitality professional with more than 10 years of executive leadership experience in hospitality operations management. KOLBE Zone: Quick Start; allowing for rapid problem solving and critical moment pivot. Core values orientation for effective, consistent and strategic decision making abilities. MBTI Factor profile: ENFP; provides for empathetic and connected leadership style that holds team members culture paramount. Bringing a solid understanding of industry trends and the creative process for constant organizational growth and personal development.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Hospitality Leader
Journeyman Distillery
12.2022 - Current
- Senior Project Manager of $22M property duties plus below:
- Lead Level 10 - EOS Hospitality meetings
- Manage all new openings and talent acquisitions
- Manage data, sales, and recipe systems.
- Lead all menu and LTO roll-outs.
- Development and implementation of new business programs which led to more services/products.
- Trained management team and new employees.
- Serve as escalation point for internal resources and clients.
- Advanced productivity KPIs by leading trainings on processes.
- Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
General Manager
Journeyman Distillery
01.2020 - 02.2022
- General Management Duties plus below:
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Accountable for downstream Level 10 - EOS meetings.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- 6 Million in volume at single unit
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- 85+ FLH team members
- 6 managers
- 200+ seat casual dining restaurant
- Special release events
- Retail store
- 3 private event spaces
- National brand strategy
General Manager
Sodexo USA
02.2018 - 01.2020
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- 8 Million volume across 3 units
- 20+ FLH team members
- Menu Development
- 4 managers
- 1000+ student board plan
- Private catering
- C-Store design and launch
Multi-Unit Operations Manager
Purdue University
07.2016 - 02.2018
- Partnered with vendors and suppliers to effectively manage and budget.
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.
- Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
- 5 Million in volume across 5 units
- Rebranded 3 units for on-trend performance
- Designed and launched new units
- 200+ student team members
- 7 unit managers
- Units: 1 Dine-in unit, 1 Food Truck, 1 C-Store, 1 Late-night, 1 Pizza
Education
Master of Science - Hospitality Administration And Management
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN04.2017
Bachelor of Science - Restaurant And Culinary Management
Culinary Institute of America
Hyde Park, NY03.2009
Associate of Science - Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America
Hyde Park, NY04.2007
Skills
- Leadership through change
- New construction
- COG / GM / Labor analysis
- Private events production
- Guest Service Management
- Financial Performance Review
- Team Building
- Financial Forecasting
- Talent Acquisition
- L10
- Public Speaking
- Menu Development
- Systems: EOS, TOAST, Micros, Tock, Open Table, Paylocity, Microsoft 365, Tiphaus, HotSchedules,
Accomplishments
- Lead hospitality design and project management for $40M, 140,000sqft destination brewery/distillery/multi-unit restaurant campus. Opened October 2023
- 100% accountability for talent acquisition for new properties. Hired all FOH front-line and leadership positions; 2000+ applications, 1000+ interviews, 200+ hires across 4 months.
- Lead hospitality team through multiple COVID state-ordered operational shutdowns and brought operational performance to higher levels with each re-opening.
- Lead the company through implementing the EOS system, including leadership initiatives such as 555 meetings, accountability charts, and other tools in the EOS toolbox.
- In collaboration with executive leaders, developed company core values, core processes, scorecards for six departments and multi-day new hire orientation program.
Affiliations
- Culinary Advisory Board Member - Porter County Schools
- American Legion / VFW
- Indiana Brewers Guild
Additional Information
● United States Air Force F15 Electronic Warfare Avionics Specialist 2000-2005
Timeline
Hospitality Leader
Journeyman Distillery
12.2022 - Current
General Manager
Journeyman Distillery
01.2020 - 02.2022
General Manager
Sodexo USA
02.2018 - 01.2020
Multi-Unit Operations Manager
Purdue University
07.2016 - 02.2018
Master of Science - Hospitality Administration And Management
Purdue University
Bachelor of Science - Restaurant And Culinary Management
Culinary Institute of America
Associate of Science - Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America
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