Rolando Vela
Houston
Summary
Accomplished management professional versed in leading teams, increasing efficiency, and driving organizational success. Skilled in project management, budgeting, and strategic planning. Proven track record of developing successful strategies to exceed operational goals. Adept in leading diverse teams to reach corporate objectives. Accomplished industry leader offering many years of management expertise including staff training and development, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement. Focused and efficient with proficiency in financial reporting and budget adherence. Demonstrated success in evaluating P&L to achieve targets.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
K9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel
Houston
08.2024 - Current
- Oversaw product development initiatives from concept through completion stages.
- Coordinated training activities for employees to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Implemented employee recognition programs to motivate staff members towards achieving organizational goals.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards pertaining to operations management.
- Identified areas of improvement in current business practices and collaborated with other departments to develop action plans for implementation.
- Ensured compliance with local health department regulations regarding food safety standards.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly while maintaining high quality standards of service delivery.
- Created a positive work environment by developing team building activities that encouraged collaboration among departments.
- Managed all aspects of daily business operations including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service and sales.
- Supervised employees through planning, assignments, and direction.
- Maximized time and employee productivity, consolidating data, payroll and accounting programs into centralized systems.
- Trained employees on duties, policies and procedures.
- Directed safety operations and maintained clean work environment to adhere to FDA and OSHA requirements.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired qualified staff for open positions.
- Managed inventory levels and conducted corrective action planning to minimize long-term costs.
- Designed sales and service strategies to improve revenue and retention.
- Recruited, trained and empowered employees to achieve key performance indicators.
- Analyzed market trends to inform business decisions and strategies.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed new orders for merchandise to keep supply well-stocked.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Forecasted customer demand to set prices or credit terms for goods or services.
Senior General Store & Bar Manager
Postinos
Houston
01.2024 - 08.2024
- Managed day-to-day operations, ensuring high levels of customer service and satisfaction
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner with an emphasis on maintaining positive relationships
- Acknowledged outstanding staff performance to boost company morale and productivity
- Developed, implemented and monitored operational policies and procedures to ensure efficient workflow
- Controlled budgets and conducted financial analysis to optimize profitability
- Demonstrated and supported continuous improvement and growth mindset
- Established and implemented departmental policies, goals, objectives and procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, and staff members
- Created weekly schedules to optimize staffing and maximize labor costs
- Managed daily operations including ordering supplies, managing budgets, resolving issues as they arise
- Generated reports on operational expenses, budget variances, sales trends
- Ensured compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to the restaurant industry
- Analyzed financial data to identify areas of improvement in operations and profitability
Senior General Store Manager
Perrys Steakhouse & Grille
Houston
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Analyzed existing processes for effectiveness and developed new systems as needed to enhance overall productivity levels.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards pertaining to operations management.
- Guided management and supervisory staff to promote smooth operations.
- Maximized time and employee productivity, consolidating data, payroll and accounting programs into centralized systems.
- Trained employees on duties, policies and procedures.
- Directed safety operations and maintained clean work environment to adhere to FDA and OSHA requirements.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired qualified staff for open positions.
- Designed sales and service strategies to improve revenue and retention.
- Complied with company policies and government regulations to prevent and detect rule violations and protect organization from fines and lawsuits.
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through hands-on leadership of associates and managers.
Director of Training and Development
Black Walnut Cafe
Houston
11.2022 - 07.2023
- Coordinated with department heads to develop individual plans that addressed specific skill gaps.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws governing workplace education requirements.
- Created a library of instructional materials and resources for use by trainers and learners.
- Assisted in budgeting process for departmental expenses related to training activities.
- Reviewed feedback from participants to assess effectiveness of delivered training programs.
- Identified and coordinated key skills training across related jobs and position families.
- Discovered and filled workforce skill gaps with proactive monitoring and evaluation approaches.
- Partnered with management to devise individualized development plans and staff group trainings to fill current and expected training needs.
- Developed self-paced and self-directed training courses to diversify learning opportunities for employees.
- Created critical training programs and opportunities for staff to develop job and leadership skills.
- Analyzed each department's training needs and developed new training programs based upon data collected.
- Developed new training programs in compliance with company and government standards.
- Led training classes and recorded instruction for later use.
- Managed training calendar for entire fiscal year, including setting course plans, training spaces and department rotations.
- Mentored team members to succeed and advance within department and company.
- Delivered training material to diverse audiences of both blue and white-collar professionals.
Senior Manager, Corporate Trainer, and General Manager
Darden Restaurants, Olive Garden
San Antonio
08.2006 - 10.2022
- Monitored actions of staff and customers to verify obeyed safety standards and liquor regulations
- Monitored budgets and payroll records to verify authorization of expenditures
- Maintained food and equipment inventories to support business demand
- Reviewed procedures and operational challenges to uncover service and safety improvements
- Providing coaching and mentoring to team members regularly
- Assisting department heads with budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation
- Monitoring customer service metrics to ensure quality assurance standards were met
- Foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and communication across departments
- Attend monthly budget meetings to ensure financial targets are achieved
- Analyze data from customer surveys to identify opportunities for improvement
- Resolve conflicts between staff members promptly while maintaining a professional demeanor
- Maintain open lines of communication with senior management regarding changes in company policy or procedure
- A champion in the restaurant for company initiatives; participating in the implementation, coaching and feedback to store and corporate leadership
- Takes ownership in the profitability of the restaurant through managing controllable costs; i.e Labor, turnover, food and beverage costs, Guest compensation
- Performs other job-related and compatible duties in other positions when necessary
- Proficient in P&l knowledge and cost-effective measures to increase profit for investors, without compromising the guest or employee experience
- Coached managers and team members on food safety and sanitation processes, customer service, menu education and restaurant policies
- Championed average of 95% guest satisfaction by providing excellent retraining of management teams with behavioral
Hotel Housekeeping Supervisor
Hampton Inn & Suites
San Antonio
05.2005 - 07.2006
- Implemented training program that improved staff efficiency by 20%
- Managed a team of 15+ housekeeping staff and coordinated daily operations, ensuring exceptional service standard
- Monitored and controlled inventories of supplies and equipment, ensuring availability of necessary materials
- Increased guest satisfaction scores by 30% over a 2-year period
- Reduced staff turnover rate by 15% through positive leadership
- Improved department productivity by 25% through process improvements
- Inspected guest rooms, public areas, and back-of-house areas to ensure they met quality standards
- Investigated guest complaints and resolved issues in a professional and timely manner
- Developed and maintained excellent relationships with vendors and suppliers
- Created and implemented daily cleaning schedules for staff members.
Hotel Night Auditor
Shell Vacation Hospitality
San Antonio
05.2004 - 05.2005
- Offered top-quality services to guests always while executing company auditing operations during overnight shifts
- Resolved guests queries and crises to promptly meet their needs
- Collected payments to process reservations and settle 40+ guest accounts per shift
- Kept detailed records and receipts of nightly bills and vendor payments worth $30K+
- Matched guest's names with identity numbers in the system to verify their information
- Prepared and submitted high-balance audit reports to senior authorities
- Demonstrated exceptional performance, resulting in being recognized as the 'Employees of the Month' four times
- Maintain knowledge of hotel services, amenities, and local attractions to provide accurate information to guests
- Handle guest inquiries and complaints in a professional and courteous manner
Education
Associate of Applied Science -
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX01-2026
Microsoft & Computer Science Certificate -
Kaplan College
Kaplan, TX01.2003
Skills
- Organization and prioritization
- Sales Tracking
- Multi-Unit Operations Management
- Customer Trend Analysis
- Team Recruiting and Onboarding
- Partnership Development
- Reporting oversight
- Emotional intelligence aptitude
- Multitasking
- Multimillion-dollar P&L management
- Process redesign
- Client relations
- Revenue and market expansion
- Human resources leadership
- Budget coordination
- Financial administration
- Sales expertise
- Vendor negotiations
- Profit and loss
- Administrative skills
- Cross-cultural communications
Accomplishments
- My Team won Darden's Diamond Club in 2009, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020.
- Top 5 of the entire performing restaurants in the company out of 850 based on: sales, growth, labor, and feedback.
- Winner of Trip to Italy for top performing management by Darden in 2020 (Canceled because of COVID).
- Outstanding performance same years as above.
Languages
Spanish, Bilingual
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
General Manager
K9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel
08.2024 - Current
Senior General Store & Bar Manager
Postinos
01.2024 - 08.2024
Senior General Store Manager
Perrys Steakhouse & Grille
07.2023 - 12.2023
Director of Training and Development
Black Walnut Cafe
11.2022 - 07.2023
Senior Manager, Corporate Trainer, and General Manager
Darden Restaurants, Olive Garden
08.2006 - 10.2022
Hotel Housekeeping Supervisor
Hampton Inn & Suites
05.2005 - 07.2006
Hotel Night Auditor
Shell Vacation Hospitality
05.2004 - 05.2005
Associate of Applied Science -
San Antonio College
Microsoft & Computer Science Certificate -
Kaplan College
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