- Growing herbs and creating herbal remedies
- Practicing natural healing methods, meditation, and Reiki
Sherry Knackert
Hospitality
Glendale,AZ
Summary
Professional hospitality leader with significant experience in front-of-house operations, known for exceptional customer service and team collaboration. Proven ability to seamlessly adapt to changing needs while focusing on achieving results. Skilled in staff management, conflict resolution, and enhancing guest experiences with warm and professional demeanor.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FOH Lead/Maitre D'
Hilton/ Aimbridge Hospitality
Phx
03.2013 - Current
- Supervised front-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional guest service and satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored staff in hospitality standards and operational procedures.
- Implemented process improvements to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows.
- Coordinated daily activities among team members to maintain high service levels.
- Resolved guest complaints promptly, fostering a positive dining experience.
- Collaborated with management to align front-of-house strategies with overall business goals.
- Boosted team morale and performance through effective communication and motivational strategies.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations through regular inspections and diligent monitoring practices.
- Oversaw cash handling procedures accurately at the end of each shift to guarantee proper accounting measures were followed consistently for financial accuracy purposes.
- Implemented training programs for new hires, resulting in higher staff retention rates and overall improved performance.
- Maintained a clean, welcoming environment for guests, ensuring optimal dining experiences.
- Resolved customer complaints professionally, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with back of house staff to ensure seamless coordination between kitchen and service teams.
- Coordinated private event logistics including catering setup, customization requests from clients and maintaining guest relations leading to successful and memorable events.
- Enhanced customer experience by providing exceptional service and promptly addressing concerns.
- Executed real-time problem-solving skills in addressing unexpected challenges such as staff shortages, equipment issues or customer complaints ensuring smooth daily operations.
- Optimized table turnover rates by efficiently managing reservations and walk-ins during peak hours.
- Implemented cross-training initiatives that allowed flexibility among Front Of House team members encouraging teamwork and boosting productivity during shifts.
- Streamlined front of house operations for increased efficiency with well-organized scheduling and task delegation.
- Established welcoming atmosphere by greeting each guest warmly.
- Helped guests at tables when in need of assistance.
- Maintained tidy and organized work area to preserve aesthetics and support cleanliness and quality standards.
- Trained new staff in front-of-house procedures, customer relations, and cleaning.
- Assisted servers with delivering food, filling beverages, and retrieving items for guests.
- Reset tables between guests by restocking low items and wiping down surfaces.
- Addressed customer complaints with professional demeanor and used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve issues.
- Scheduled and rotated staff for adequate coverage and fair distribution of workload.
- Utilized Open Table system for guest reservations and communications.
Homemaker
home
Phoenix, AZ
07.2002 - 03.2013
- Stay-at-home wife and mother of four kids, managing a variety of schedules and events including, but not limited to, sleep, meals, school, extra curricular activities, doctor visits, etc.
- Homeschooled my two eldest children for two years.
- Event coordinated with my community, arranging and executing bridal showers, baby showers, Weddings, honorary celebrations and birthdays.
- Served as a Board Member for the non-profit Phoenix Ballet, in alliance with Master Ballet Academy, as their official Event Coordinator.
- Created and executed Cast Parties for 150 -200 people, with specialized themes, catering, music, and entertainment.
- Maintained a warm, loving, clean home to host meetings, book clubs and other social gatherings.
Teller
Wells Fargo
Phoenix, AZ
03.2001 - 07.2002
- Opening and closing branch, cash handling, computer knowledge, accessing accounts for guest inquiry, deposits and withdrawals, meeting referral quotas, customer service, and safety protocol.
- Processed customer transactions efficiently, ensuring accuracy and compliance with banking regulations.
- Maintained cash drawer integrity by balancing daily transactions and reconciling discrepancies.
- Provided exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Identified opportunities for process improvements, increasing transaction speed and customer satisfaction.
- Promoted a welcoming atmosphere in the branch by greeting customers warmly upon arrival and addressing them by name when possible.
Server & Cashier
Santisi Brothers
Phoenix, AZ
11.1999 - 03.2001
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring timely service and guest satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored new servers on menu knowledge and customer service standards.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to streamline order processing and improve turnaround times.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
- Maintained a clean and orderly dining area for an enjoyable guest experience.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Handled cash transactions accurately, contributing to balanced daily financial reports.
- Increased sales with upselling techniques and thorough knowledge of menu items, specials, and promotions.
- Adhered to proper food handling procedures and safety guidelines for the well-being of guests and team members alike.
- Implemented effective communication strategies between front-of-house and back-of-house staff for streamlined operations.
- Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations.
- Enhanced team efficiency, collaborating effectively in high-pressure settings.
- Boosted repeat customer rates, remembered regular guests' preferences and greeted them by name.
Assistant Manager
Victoria's Secret
Alexandria, VA
05.1997 - 10.1999
- Led team in achieving sales targets through strategic product placement and effective customer engagement.
- Developed training programs to enhance staff performance and improve customer service quality.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, informing inventory management and promotional strategies.
- Collaborated with visual merchandising team to create appealing displays that drove foot traffic and increased sales.
- Implemented operational improvements that streamlined processes, enhancing overall store efficiency.
- Mentored junior staff, fostering a collaborative environment focused on professional growth and development.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to motivate team members toward excellence.
- Oversaw inventory control procedures, ensuring optimal stock levels and minimizing discrepancies during audits.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
- Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accurate financial reporting and minimizing discrepancies.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service.
- Collaborated with the management team to develop strategic plans for business growth and improvement.
- Enforced company policies consistently while handling disciplinary actions when necessary with fairness and respect.
- Facilitated clear communication between employees and upper management through regular meetings and updates.
- Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding performance and celebrating team accomplishments.
- Collaborated with management team to set sales targets and strategies, achieving consistent sales growth.
- Developed marketing strategies to attract new customers, increasing foot traffic.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
Hostess & server
Sea Sea & Co.
Occoquan, VA
07.1995 - 05.1997
- As a hostess, I greeted customers in a friendly hospitable way and escorted them to their table. I needed to know the flow of table turn times, the different servers' strengths and capabilities, as well as timing for food orders and kitchen output. I was in charge of the laundry, and helped with banquets and events, washing and pressing linens. I was promoted to server when I became of age, and then became acquainted with food and beverage knowledge to upsell, while providing memorable dining experience to our customers, in a timely matter. I learned daily computation of sales and gained cash handling experience.
- Greeted and seated guests, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere and efficient flow of service.
- Coordinated reservations and managed waitlists to optimize seating capacity and guest experience.
- Trained new staff on customer service protocols and company standards for hospitality excellence.
- Assisted in daily operations by maintaining cleanliness and organization of dining areas.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to communicate special requests and dietary restrictions effectively.
- Developed strategies for enhancing guest satisfaction, resulting in positive reviews and repeat customers.
- Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
- Greeted customers warmly upon arrival and provided friendly and warm presence throughout dining experience.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, balancing responsibilities such as answering phone calls, greeting guests, and updating reservation logs simultaneously.
- Maintained a clean and welcoming environment, ensuring the comfort of guests throughout their visit.
- Trained new hostesses on customer service best practices and restaurant policies to maintain high standards of service.
- Worked with front of house staff to move tables and adjust seating to accommodate groups with special requests.
- Rearranged tables and chairs for large parties and retrieved high chairs for children.
- Backed up servers by checking on tables and retrieving items for guests.
- Opened and closed seating sections according to volume of guests.
- Cross-trained to handle different restaurant roles, including bar, kitchen and to-go stations.
- Advised customers about special offerings and menu items to help drive sales.
- Delivered exceptional customer service in fast-paced dining environment.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly, maintaining high levels of guest retention.
- Developed strong rapport with regular customers through genuine hospitality efforts leading to repeat business.
- Assisted in planning and execution of special events, contributing to restaurant's reputation for hosting.
Busser
Western Sizzlin'
Falls Church, VA
06.1994 - 07.1995
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining area to enhance guest experience.
- Assisted servers by delivering food and beverages promptly during peak hours.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to facilitate smooth operations and timely service.
- Monitored inventory levels of utensils and supplies, ensuring efficient workflow.
- Reset and cleaned tables quickly to prepare for new customers.
- Collected trash, wiped up spills, and removed trays to maintain fresh and clean customer areas.
- Worked quickly, communicated with other staff and always looked for better ways of completing tasks to improve productivity and keep tables ready for incoming guests.
Education
Some classes - Western Herbalism/ Herbal Remedies and Holy Reiki I and II
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
04-2023
Some college - English 101, Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, World Religions, Philosophy of Religion, Introduction to Christianity, Ballet 1 and 2
Paradise Valley Community College
05-2010
Some college - Speech and Communication and Creative Writing
Northern Virginia Community College
12-1997
GED, Other - undefined
Woodbridge, HS
05-1995
Skills
- Exceptional communication
- Team management
- Task delegation
- Reservation management
- Strong leadership
- Greeting guests
- Team collaboration
- Money handling
- Phone etiquette
- Training and mentoring
- Guest relations
- Professional appearance
- Staff coordination
- Seating arrangements
- Table management
- Open-close procedures
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
Certification
- Holy Reiki I and II Date Achieved: 2023-04-16
- Herbal Remedies 100 hours course Date Achieved: 2021-06-30
Interests
Timeline
FOH Lead/Maitre D'
Hilton/ Aimbridge Hospitality
03.2013 - Current
Homemaker
home
07.2002 - 03.2013
Teller
Wells Fargo
03.2001 - 07.2002
Server & Cashier
Santisi Brothers
11.1999 - 03.2001
Assistant Manager
Victoria's Secret
05.1997 - 10.1999
Hostess & server
Sea Sea & Co.
07.1995 - 05.1997
Busser
Western Sizzlin'
06.1994 - 07.1995
Some college - English 101, Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, World Religions, Philosophy of Religion, Introduction to Christianity, Ballet 1 and 2
Paradise Valley Community College
Some college - Speech and Communication and Creative Writing
Northern Virginia Community College
GED, Other - undefined
Woodbridge, HS
Some classes - Western Herbalism/ Herbal Remedies and Holy Reiki I and II
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
Behaviors
What is your work style? Dedicated Team Player Enthusiastic Thought Provoking Leader
Motivations
What gets you out of bed in the morning? Ability to Make an Impact Job Security Work-Life Balance Growth Opportunities