Rafael Cabrera
Lawrence,MA
Summary
A hospitality professional known for maintaining high standards and delivering results. Proven ability to enhance operational efficiency and drive customer satisfaction. Focused on team collaboration and adaptability to meet changing needs. Skilled in staff training, customer service, and financial management.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant General Manager
Vaka Restaurant
Lawrence, MA
06.2020 - 08.2025
- Directed daily operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and efficient service delivery.
- Managed staffing levels, optimizing team performance through training and development initiatives.
- Implemented cost-control measures, enhancing profitability while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Oversaw inventory management, reducing waste and ensuring timely supply chain operations.
- Established and maintained relationships with suppliers, negotiating favorable terms for quality products.
- Developed marketing strategies to increase customer engagement and boost restaurant visibility.
- Led regular performance reviews, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement among staff.
- Managed all aspects of daily operations, including managing budgets, inventory control, and vendor relations.
- Effectively managed labor costs by monitoring productivity levels among staff members and making strategic scheduling decisions.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
- Addressed customer concerns promptly and professionally, turning potentially negative experiences into positive outcomes.
- Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Maintained open lines of communication between front-and back-of-house teams to facilitate smooth day-to-day operations.
- Set clear expectations and created positive working environment for employees.
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Implemented efficient scheduling practices to ensure optimal staffing levels during peak business hours.
- Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and offering competitive compensation packages.
- Oversaw balancing of cash registers, reconciled transactions, and deposited establishment's earnings to bank.
- Identified problems, conducted troubleshooting and sought repair or maintenance support to keep restaurant equipment operational.
- Ensured compliance with all health department regulations as well as company policies and procedures.
- Purchased adequate quantities of food, beverages, equipment, and supplies.
- Coordinated special events bookings, working closely with clients to ensure their expectations were met or exceeded from start to finish.
- Oversaw facility maintenance, ensuring a clean, safe, and inviting atmosphere for patrons.
- Evaluated performance metrics regularly, identifying areas for improvement and adjusting strategies accordingly for continued growth in sales figures.
Team Leader
Essendant
Woburn, MA
11.2015 - 09.2018
- Oversaw daily shipping operations, ensuring timely dispatch of goods and adherence to safety protocols.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve shipping discrepancies and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Maintained compliance with all federal regulations governing the shipment of hazardous materials or controlled substances.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly by addressing root causes of problems and implementing corrective actions when necessary.
- Streamlined shipping processes by implementing efficient team workflows, resulting in reduced turnaround times.
- Implemented proactive quality control measures, reducing instances of damaged goods and returns from customers.
- Optimized warehouse storage, enabling quicker retrieval and dispatch of products during peak periods.
- Developed team training programs for new hires, ensuring smooth integration into company processes and procedures.
- Cultivated a safety-first culture within the team, leading to a significant reduction in workplace accidents and incidents.
- Used pallet jacks and dollies to load and unloaded goods from trucks and containers.
- Received incoming shipments, compared contents against associated records and transmitted to proper department.
- Packaged goods in safe containers to prepare for shipping, adhering to packaging protocols.
- Operated equipment such as forklifts and balers to move outgoing shipments to loading area.
- Monitored scheduled shipment dates to achieve timely delivery, expediting as necessary, and communicating variances to customers.
Bakery Supervisor
Joseph's Middle East Inc
Lawrence, MA
08.2008 - 08.2015
- Supervised daily bakery operations, ensuring adherence to quality and safety standards.
- Trained staff on baking techniques and equipment usage, fostering skill development and teamwork.
- Managed inventory control, optimizing ingredient usage and reducing waste.
- Implemented efficient production schedules to meet customer demand while minimizing downtime.
- Developed standard operating procedures for bakery processes, improving consistency in product output.
- Trained new employees in bakery procedures, ensuring consistent performance standards across the team.
- Led team meetings to address workflow challenges and promote continuous improvement initiatives.
- Conducted regular equipment maintenance checks, mitigating downtime due to malfunctions or repairs.
- Elevated product quality with diligent oversight of ingredient storage and handling.
- Oversaw bakery department, supervised staff and delegated daily tasks.
- Ensured adherence to food safety guidelines throughout all stages of production resulting in consistently high-quality products.
- Continuously monitored consumer trends within the baked goods industry adjusting product offerings accordingly.
- Collaborated with team members to create new recipes, boosting sales and customer interest.
- Implemented safety protocols to reduce workplace accidents and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Inspected baked goods for quality and esthetics prior to displaying and discarded outdated or spoiled items.
- Established proper procedures for waste management, sanitation, food handling and safety.
- Performed opening and closing duties for department.
- Managed daily production schedules, ensuring timely completion of all orders while minimizing overtime costs.
Team Leader
Joseph's Middle East Inc.
Lawrence, MA
11.1999 - 08.2007
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and achieve project goals.
- Developed training programs to improve team performance and productivity across departments.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced lead times and optimized resource allocation.
- Managed daily workflows, ensuring adherence to quality standards and deadlines.
- Analyzed performance metrics to identify trends and recommend actionable solutions for improvement.
- Empowered team members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise.
- Managed conflict resolution among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Maintained an inclusive and diverse team culture, promoting respect and understanding among all members.
- Collaborated with other department leaders to establish shared goals and ensure alignment across teams.
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to achieve quick resolutions for various issues.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient work processes and regularly reviewing performance metrics.
- Evaluated team member performance against established objectives during regular reviews, offering praise for achievements or identifying areas requiring further development.
Education
High School Diploma - English-as-a-Second-Language Education
Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, MA05-2001
High School Diploma -
Liceo Ercilia Pepin
Santiago Dominican Republic11-1998
Skills
- Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English and Spanish
- Clear verbal and written communication
- Proficient in forklift handling
- Oversaw direct productivity of 45-50 employees
- Packing process improvement
- Strong team collaborator
- Problem-solving
- Team supervision
Timeline
Restaurant General Manager
Vaka Restaurant
06.2020 - 08.2025
Team Leader
Essendant
11.2015 - 09.2018
Bakery Supervisor
Joseph's Middle East Inc
08.2008 - 08.2015
Team Leader
Joseph's Middle East Inc.
11.1999 - 08.2007
High School Diploma - English-as-a-Second-Language Education
Northern Essex Community College
High School Diploma -
Liceo Ercilia Pepin