Richard Rutherford

• Led daily kitchen operations in a high volume fast casual restaurant serving 400+ guests per shift.
• Supervised and coached a team of 6 to 10 line cooks, ensuring food quality, consistency, and adherence to safety standards.
• Maintained strict compliance with food safety, inventory control, and operational procedures in a fast paced environment.
• Optimized prep workflows and station organization to reduce ticket times and improve service speed during peak hours.
• Coordinated cross functionally with front of house staff to resolve guest concerns in real time, enhancing overall customer experience.
• Supported scheduling, onboarding, and performance feedback for kitchen staff, strengthening team accountability and morale.

• Managed high volume bar service averaging 400 to 500 guests per night, maintaining fast ticket times and consistent drink quality during peak hours.

• Oversaw bar operations including inventory tracking, prep management, and bar setup, ensuring smooth service and minimizing product waste.

• Built strong guest relationships and retained 50+ regular patrons, driving repeat business and positive word of mouth.

• Mentored new bartenders and barbacks on cocktail standards, POS workflow, and customer engagement, improving team consistency and efficiency.

• Coordinated with management and security to manage crowd flow and resolve guest concerns quickly while maintaining a positive environment.

• Contributed to weekly sales targets by promoting specialty cocktails and upselling premium spirits, increasing average ticket value.

• Facilitated registration, onboarding, and event preparation for hundreds of program participants, enhancing overall participant experience.
• Maintained accurate records using digital check in systems, intake forms, and CRM tools to track attendance, eligibility, and service referrals.
• Clarified program requirements, deadlines, and next steps with empathy across email, phone, and in-person channels, fostering trust and understanding.
• Facilitated high traffic event check ins, managed waitlists, and troubleshot participant issues in real time.
• Improved applicant and participant experience by designing simple workflows to access resources and support.
• Directed strategic growth of a nonprofit addressing social isolation, designing event models that drove a 35 percent return rate.
• Secured partnerships with BetterHelp, CAMBA, NYC Parks GreenThumb, and 100 Suits, expanding access to therapy, housing support, and civic engagement tools.
• Produced branded digital content using Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, amplifying reach and securing media coverage on News 12 Brooklyn.
• Coordinated events for 35 to over 125 attendees, optimizing logistics and engagement to achieve measurable community impact.

• Contracted for a 3 month period to support high volume issues management across financial operations and customer facing workflows.

• Resolved 250 to 300 plus issues daily including reimbursement discrepancies, missing documentation, vendor questions, and invoice processing errors.

• Collaborated with program managers, vendors, and internal teams to clarify missing information, successfully closing 85 to 90 percent of pending tickets each day.

• Communicated updates, next steps, and corrections clearly via email and internal messaging platforms, improving turnaround time and applicant satisfaction.

• Identified workflow gaps and supported improvements that streamlined reimbursement approvals and reduced overall resolution time.

• Crafted an innovative cocktail menu, aligning beverage offerings with brand identity and guest preferences.
• Fostered relationships with 70+ weekly regulars, enhancing loyalty and driving positive online reviews.
• Trained and coached new bartenders and shift leads, standardizing service practices and elevating team performance.
• Coordinated with security, management, and kitchen to ensure seamless operations during crowded events.