Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
6b

Michael Payne

Kingsport,TN

Summary

Dynamic culinary professional with extensive experience at Olive Garden, excelling in culinary preparation and inventory management. Proven track record in training staff and enhancing kitchen organization, ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Strong attention to detail and exceptional customer service skills drive operational excellence and team performance.

Professional with strong background in customer interactions and service solutions. Highly skilled in conflict resolution, communication, and problem-solving, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. Effective team collaborator, adaptable to changing needs, and consistently focused on achieving results through efficient and empathetic service. Known for reliability and proactive approach to meeting customer and organizational goals.

Experienced with handling customer interactions and resolving issues promptly. Utilizes communication and empathy to build strong customer relationships. Track record of maintaining high customer satisfaction and fostering loyalty.

Experienced with various cooking techniques and kitchen operations. Utilizes culinary skills to create flavorful and visually appealing dishes. Knowledge of food safety practices and efficient kitchen workflows.

Professional culinary expert with strong track record in preparing high-quality dishes and maintaining kitchen efficiency. Known for exceptional collaboration within team environments and adaptability to changing needs. Possesses key skills in food preparation, safety, and sanitation, along with keen sense of taste and presentation. Reliable and results-driven, consistently delivering outstanding culinary experiences.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work History

Cook,Receiver,Host ,Trainer,Inventory Management

Olive Garden
07.2006 - 06.2016

I began as the pasta cook in 2006 .I had worked in all areas in the back of house which included inventory and receiving. later I became Trainer to teach new hires the importance of times,temperatures and contaminants,I later became Host and Host trainer responsible for training all new hire employees. I was still responsible for inventory and counts along with receiving trucks.

  • Managed inventory and sourced fresh ingredients to ensure menu quality.
  • Prepared and cooked high-quality dishes in fast-paced kitchen environment.
  • Trained and mentored junior cooks, enhancing team performance and skills.
  • Ensured compliance with food safety regulations and maintained cleanliness standards.
  • Collaborated with front-of-house staff to optimize service efficiency during peak hours.

COOK,MAINTAINANCE,INENTORY

The Boatyard Dinner
07.2001 - 07.2006
  • Developed and executed diverse menu offerings, ensuring quality and consistency in dishes.
  • Oversaw kitchen operations, maintaining high standards of food safety and sanitation practices.
  • Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
  • Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
  • Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
  • Managed inventory levels, reducing waste through effective stock rotation practices.
  • Collaborated with suppliers to source fresh ingredients, optimizing menu costs and quality.

General Manager

East/West Restaurant, 24hr.Truck Stop
05.2000 - 07.2001
  • Directed operational strategies to enhance overall efficiency and productivity across multiple departments.
  • Implemented performance metrics to monitor progress and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Streamlined communication processes, fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams.
  • Oversaw budget management, ensuring resource allocation aligned with organizational goals.
  • Developed and executed training programs to enhance staff skills and operational effectiveness.
  • Established key partnerships with vendors to optimize supply chain operations and reduce costs.
  • Led strategic planning sessions, aligning organizational objectives with market trends and opportunities.
  • Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
  • Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
  • Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
  • Championed continuous improvement initiatives that enhanced operational performance across all departments.
  • Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.

Store Manager

Lowe's Home Centers Inc.
04.1991 - 05.2000
  • Led daily operations to ensure optimal store performance and customer satisfaction.
  • Developed and implemented staff training programs, enhancing team productivity and service quality.
  • Managed inventory control, reducing stock discrepancies and improving order accuracy.
  • Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust merchandising strategies accordingly.
  • Oversaw visual merchandising standards, increasing product visibility and appeal to customers.
  • Collaborated with district managers on strategic initiatives to boost store profitability and efficiency.
  • Fostered a positive work environment through effective communication and team-building activities.
  • Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
  • Implemented cost-saving measures, optimizing resource allocation without compromising service levels.

Operations Manager,Assistant Store Manager

The Home Depot Inc
05.1983 - 08.1991
  • Streamlined inventory management systems to enhance order fulfillment efficiency.
  • Led cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and optimize workflow.
  • Developed training programs to elevate staff performance and operational knowledge.
  • Implemented cost-saving measures while maintaining high service standards across departments.
  • Fostered a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
  • Analyzed operational data to identify trends, driving strategic decision-making initiatives.
  • Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
  • Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by establishing clear communication channels and addressing concerns promptly.
  • Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.
  • Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
  • Managed budgets effectively, consistently delivering projects on-time and within financial constraints.
  • Achieved higher employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment and providing opportunities for professional growth.
  • Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
  • Developed strong relationships with vendors, resulting in better pricing and improved service quality.
  • Spearheaded process improvements, resulting in increased productivity and reduced operational costs.
  • Increased profit by streamlining operations.
  • Led successful change initiatives, ensuring seamless transitions during organizational restructuring efforts.
  • Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
  • Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
  • Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
  • Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
  • Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
  • Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
  • Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
  • Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
  • Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
  • Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
  • Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
  • Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
  • Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
  • Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
  • Oversaw daily store operations, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and company policies.
  • Trained and mentored staff on product knowledge and customer service best practices. NOTE: After graduating the ETSU, I moved to Atlanta and was employed by te 1st Home Depot in Decatur Ga. to draw Kitchen Cabinets, Blue prints and Sprinkler System Designs using 1/4 scale before we had acquired computer design systems. The company grew quickly to involve me in the opening,racking,merchandising and designing many of our new stores.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - BFA Graphic Design,

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN
05-1983

High School Diploma -

Karns High School
Knoxville, TN
06-1978

Skills

  • Customer service
  • Culinary preparation
  • Cleaning and organization
  • Food handling
  • Kitchen organization
  • Cooking techniques
  • Sanitation
  • Knife skills

Timeline

Cook,Receiver,Host ,Trainer,Inventory Management

Olive Garden
07.2006 - 06.2016

COOK,MAINTAINANCE,INENTORY

The Boatyard Dinner
07.2001 - 07.2006

General Manager

East/West Restaurant, 24hr.Truck Stop
05.2000 - 07.2001

Store Manager

Lowe's Home Centers Inc.
04.1991 - 05.2000

Operations Manager,Assistant Store Manager

The Home Depot Inc
05.1983 - 08.1991

Bachelor of Arts - BFA Graphic Design,

East Tennessee State University

High School Diploma -

Karns High School
Michael Payne