WHITNEY VARNER
Sanford,NC
Summary
Reliable and motivated individual proudly offering over 9 years of experience fostering
repeat customers through consistent, professional service by utilizing exceptional social
skills and communication abilities. Skilled in designing profitable drink menus,
handling cash sales and managing inventory. Dedicated to creating an inviting
environment for both guests and staff.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Hostess / Waitress
Mrs. Lacy's Magnolia House
03.2024 - Current
- Enhanced customer experiences by efficiently managing reservations and seating arrangements.
- Reduced wait times for guests by effectively coordinating with other team members during peak hours.
- Increased overall dining satisfaction by promptly addressing and resolving guest concerns or issues.
- Maintained a clean and welcoming environment, ensuring the comfort of guests throughout their visit.
- Contributed to positive guest experiences by providing personalized service and attention to special requests or preferences.
- Assisted in training new host staff, sharing best practices for maintaining a professional demeanor and efficient work habits.
- Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions, and informed of accurate wait times.
- Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
- Supported servers, food runners, and bussers with keeping dining area ready for every guest.
- Used cash registers and credit card machines to cash out customers.
- Completed daily side work and opening and closing duties without fail.
- 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.
General Manager
Hatchet Brewing Company
01.2024 - 03.2024
- Oversee two taproom locations’ day to day front of house operations
- Responsible for supervision of two taproom managers
- Project Management for second taproom location in Selma, NC
- Human Resources
- Responsible for all taproom revenue generation
- Coordination of all offsite events & large onsite events
- All other responsibilities listed below (Taproom Manager), minus employee scheduling and training, and hands on social media posting
- Oversee social media by critiquing and approving content before it goes live on platforms.
Taproom Manager
Hatchet Brewing Company
10.2021 - 01.2024
- Maximize customer service by training staff, overseeing operations and resolving issues
- Recruit, hire and train staff on bar practices, customer service standards and productivity strategies, providing improvement over prior onboarding process
- Strategize plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts and customer-focused events
- Responsible for all onsite and offsite event planning, coordination, and execution
- Adhere to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations
- Follow all safety requirements for alcohol service and maintain a network of available ride services for inebriated customers
- Determine business needs by acquiring client and staff feedback for process improvements
- Update work schedules for taproom employees to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads
- Raised performance in areas of sales, management and operations by identifying and targeting areas in need of improvement
- Reduced labor costs by improving employee schedules and workflows to capitalize on individual strengths and better meet forecasted customer demands
- Conduct regular inventories of supplies
- Keep alcoholic beverages well-stocked and organized to meet expected demands
- Accomplish multiple tasks within established timeframes
- Expand cross-functional organizational capacity by collaborating across departments on priorities, functions and common goals
- Evaluate report data to proactively adjust and enhance operations
- Develop and implement organizational systems to support staff and improve customer service
- Conduct monthly staff meetings to ensure all employees are updated on new policies and procedures and given opportunity to discuss any concerns
- Maximize performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members
- Evaluate employees' strengths and assign tasks based upon experience and training
- Develop and maintain relationships with customers and suppliers through account development
- Increased customer engagement through social media
- Monitor the online presence of the company's brand to engage with users and strengthen customer relationships
- Analyze and report social media and online marketing campaign results
- Improved webpage content, keyword relevancy, and branding to achieve search engine optimization goals
- Identified target market and key segments through in-depth analysis of markets and related trends
- Analyzed competitor pages to locate backlink and keyword opportunities
- Maintain proficiency in digital platforms such as Shopify, Google Business
- Google Workspace, Indeed, Mailchimp, Zoom, PayPal, Facebook, and Instagram.
Bartender/Server
Camelback Brewing Company
06.2020 - 08.2021
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers
- Worked with a POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items when applicable
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns
- Bussed and reset tables to keep the dining room and work areas clean
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, drinks, ice, and glassware
- Checked identification for minimum age for sale of alcoholic beverages
- Quickly and clearly communicated dining orders to kitchen staff, directing attention to special requests or dietary restrictions
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers
- Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing and cash management practices
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer to increase daily beverage sales
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep the restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items and recorded order information.
Social Media/Website Manager
Camelback Brewing Company
06.2020 - 07.2021
- Gained experience managing and editing websites using GoDaddy
- Increased customer base by developing social media advertisements
- Increased customer engagement through social media
- Participated in helping plan and photograph large events, such as car shows, live music, and other celebrations held inside and outside brewery
- Updated online menu on Untappd for Business as needed.
Assistant Manager
Cooper's Restaurant & Wine Room
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Conducted interviews and managed onboarding process for new employees
- Managed small staff of 5 servers
- Placed, received, and picked up bar supply orders
- Managed social media accounts to gain new customers and maintain customer engagement
- Managed company website using Weebly
- Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies and forecast future needs
- Developed loyal and highly satisfied customer base through proactive management of team customer service strategies
- Updated and printed food menus daily
- Created unique selection of handcrafted cocktails for restaurant, altering menu for each season
- Provided excellent customer service in 5-star fine dining establishment complete with wine service and extensive knowledge of variety of alcoholic beverages
- Participated in catering events offsite, including bartending wedding and setting up fine dining experience for event
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy and reducing discrepancies
- Helped with planning schedules and delegating assignments to meet coverage and service demands.
Bartender/Server
Cooper's Restaurant & Wine Room
03.2019 - 06.2020
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and print receipts
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business
- Mixed both standard and specialized drink orders using liquor, bitters, sugars and fruits
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards
- Supervised restocking of salad bar throughout dinner service
- Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers
- Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing and cash management practices
- Used slow periods to restock supplies
- Checked identification for minimum age for sale of alcoholic beverages
- Replenished food items, paper products and canned goods to keep pantry well-stocked during busy periods
- Noted special patron requests and followed up with kitchen to confirm delivery
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items and recorded order information
- Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
Server/Cashier
Bay Breeze Seafood of Sanford
05.2014 - 04.2019
- Developed better communication skills and learned how to adjust to meet needs of customers
- Worked well with different types of people on staff of anywhere from 6 to 15 others on any given night
- Welcomed guests with smile and made customer satisfaction my main goal, encouraging folks to come back to establishment in future
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items and recorded order information
- Worked flexible schedule and extra shifts to meet business needs
- Operated cash register for cash, check and credit card transactions with excellent accuracy levels
- Used POS system to enter orders, process payments and issue receipts
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns
- Completed opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and maintain clean and sanitary work environment.
Education
Associate - Engineering
Central Carolina Community College
05.2017
Associate of Science - undefined
Central Carolina Community College
05.2017
High School Diploma - undefined
Southern Lee High School
06.2013
Skills
- Staff Training
- Legal Compliance
- Maintaining Clean Work Areas
- Event Planning and Coordination
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Marketing and Sales
- Team Leadership
- Organizational Abilities
Timeline
Hostess / Waitress
Mrs. Lacy's Magnolia House
03.2024 - Current
General Manager
Hatchet Brewing Company
01.2024 - 03.2024
Taproom Manager
Hatchet Brewing Company
10.2021 - 01.2024
Bartender/Server
Camelback Brewing Company
06.2020 - 08.2021
Social Media/Website Manager
Camelback Brewing Company
06.2020 - 07.2021
Assistant Manager
Cooper's Restaurant & Wine Room
08.2019 - 06.2020
Bartender/Server
Cooper's Restaurant & Wine Room
03.2019 - 06.2020
Server/Cashier
Bay Breeze Seafood of Sanford
05.2014 - 04.2019
Associate - Engineering
Central Carolina Community College
Associate of Science - undefined
Central Carolina Community College
High School Diploma - undefined
Southern Lee High School
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