Sara Guthrie
Pueblo,CO
Summary
Dynamic culinary professional with extensive experience in food preparation and team collaboration. Skilled in problem-solving and time management, consistently achieving heightened kitchen efficiency and exceptional service standards. Ready to drive customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Nutrition Specialist
South West Food Excellence
Pueblo, CO
11.2020 - Current
- Prepared and cooked daily lunch menus, ensuring adherence to food safety standards.
- Managed inventory levels, minimizing waste through efficient ingredient usage.
- Streamlined food preparation processes, improving overall kitchen efficiency and service speed.
- Monitored food quality and presentation, maintaining high standards for customer satisfaction.
- Implemented cost-saving measures by optimizing ingredient purchasing and storage practices.
- Trained and mentored junior kitchen staff on cooking techniques and safety protocols.
- Worked closely with kitchen management to optimize workflow processes, resulting in a smoother lunch service experience for customers.
- Expedited service times with expert multitasking and effective communication within the kitchen team.
- Boosted team morale by fostering an inclusive atmosphere within the kitchen environment, promoting open communication and collaboration.
- Continuously updated knowledge on current food trends, applying newfound techniques and flavors to enhance traditional recipes.
- Reduced food waste significantly through proper portion control and careful inventory management.
- Minimized cross-contamination risks by diligently following proper sanitation procedures for all cooking surfaces and utensils.
- Provided exceptional service through attention to detail when plating dishes, ensuring each meal was visually enticing before leaving the kitchen area.
- Streamlined prep processes with efficient organization skills, resulting in faster turnaround times for customer orders during peak periods.
- Implemented strict food safety standards, reducing incidents of foodborne illnesses in the establishment.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently preparing delicious and visually appealing lunch dishes.
- Diversified the establishment''s offerings by regularly experimenting with new recipes and techniques, consistently keeping the menu fresh and exciting for patrons.
- Increased kitchen efficiency by effectively managing food preparation tasks and maintaining a clean workspace.
- Assisted in training new kitchen staff members, promoting a strong work ethic and adherence to best practices.
- Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to dietary restrictions, crafting customized meals for guests with specific needs or preferences.
- Maintained a positive attitude under pressure, leading to high levels of productivity during busy lunch hours.
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- 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 time by organizing and prioritizing kitchen duties to prepare and serve food quickly.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Tasted, smelled, and pierced food with fork to verify sufficient cooking.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Followed health, safety and sanitation guidelines while preparing and serving food.
- Prepared and cooked meals according to recipes and customer specifications.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Monitored food quality and presentation to maintain high standards.
- Maintained smooth and timely operations in preparation and delivery of meals.
- Trained new kitchen staff on food safety, preparation and cooking techniques.
- Verified proper portion sizes to consistently attain high food quality standards.
- Baked consistent quality items by accurately mixing, dividing, shaping, and proofing.
Retail Store Manager
Independant Records
Pueblo, CO
10.2008 - 04.2012
- Managed daily operations, ensuring optimal store performance and customer satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored staff, fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Implemented inventory management systems to enhance stock accuracy and reduce shrinkage.
- Developed promotional strategies that increased foot traffic and sales revenue.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and optimize product placement for maximum visibility.
- Established strong vendor relationships to negotiate favorable terms and improve supply chain processes.
- Led team meetings focused on performance improvement and service excellence initiatives.
- Maintained a clean and organized store appearance to enhance the overall shopping experience for customers.
- Completed routine store inventories.
- Managed inventory control processes to restore back stock, control costs, and maintain sales floor levels to meet customer needs.
- Coached employees and trained on methods for handling various aspects of sales, complicated issues, and difficult customers.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly provided constructive feedback coaching opportunities improvement recognition outstanding achievements.
- Exceeded sales goals and accomplished business objectives by inspiring staff and promoting target products.
- Improved store sales by implementing effective marketing strategies and attractive visual merchandising.
- Optimized store displays and appearance via strategic merchandising.
- Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems, and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Reduced shrinkage levels by closely monitoring security measures, conducting staff training, and implementing loss prevention initiatives.
- Continuously assessed store layout to optimize product placement for enhanced visibility and impulse purchases from customers.
- Managed store organization, maintenance, and purchasing functions.
- Submitted orders for new inventory.
- Collaborated with upper management to develop strategic plans for store growth and expansion.
- Streamlined store operations through the implementation of efficient scheduling systems, task delegation, and performance monitoring.
- Increased average transaction value by upselling products, promoting add-ons, and cross-selling complementary items.
- Optimized inventory management with regular audits, forecasting demands, and adjusting orders accordingly.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through training staff on exceptional customer service practices and conflict resolution techniques.
- Recruited and retained top talent, with focus on completing timely performance evaluations, providing positive feedback, and rewarding superior performance.
- Upheld brand identity standards within the store location through consistent signage presentation merchandise displays following corporate guidelines.
- Coordinated staff training sessions on new products sales techniques ensuring team members well-versed equipped effectively sell merchandise meet customer needs.
- Boosted employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment, providing growth opportunities, and offering competitive compensation packages.
- Implemented new promotional campaigns that effectively drove foot traffic into the store during seasonal events or product launches.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Maintained proper product levels and inventory controls for merchandise and organized backroom to facilitate effective ordering and stock rotation.
- Supervised guests at front counter, answering questions regarding products.
- Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge, and service requirements.
- Upheld and communicated store programs and standards to employees for optimal quality, freshness, safety and cleanliness.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
Education
High School Diploma -
Tech Academy
Pueblo, CO06-2005
Skills
- Meal planning
- Cooking instruction
- Culinary expertise
- Teamwork
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Decision-making
- Relationship building
- Team building
- Task prioritization
- Self motivation
- Equipment operation
- Interpersonal skills
- Analytical thinking
- Goal setting
- Professionalism
- Interpersonal communication
- Time management abilities
- Continuous improvement
- Adaptability
- Written communication
Timeline
Nutrition Specialist
South West Food Excellence
11.2020 - Current
Retail Store Manager
Independant Records
10.2008 - 04.2012
High School Diploma -
Tech Academy