I cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and problem-solving, significantly increasing employee involvement at both restaurant and support center levels. By developing a bespoke activity-based labor model for individual stores, I integrate assessment, deployment, and analysis tools to refine labor management and enhance guest satisfaction. I promote cross-functional collaboration, setting new standards of excellence in operational practices, and engage with field personnel at all levels to establish and implement foundational practices for operational excellence in both company and franchise restaurants. My approach ensures that operational standards are consistently met and that both employees and guests experience exceptional service.Among my selected accomplishments, I directed operational support for 554 locations, including 465 company-operated and 89 franchise sites, orchestrating the efforts of 8,000 employees across 28 states to generate annual sales of approximately $689 million. I oversaw a diverse team of 27 professionals across Operations Excellence, Implementation, Planning & Communication, Innovation, Asset Protection, Food Safety, and the Customer Call Center. I championed the enhancement of back-end systems and processes, boosting store-level profitability and employee engagement. Additionally, I engineered and deployed a standardized operating system and procedures based on Lean Process Improvement principles, achieving uniformly superior Squad and Guest Experiences across the portfolio. I pioneered a nationally acclaimed cleanliness and food safety program by standardizing store cleanliness and process optimization, and designed and implemented tools for operational rigor and action planning across all field leadership levels, markedly increasing store margins and profitability.

I strategized and implemented growth plans for personnel across fast casual and fine dining venues, fostering career advancement and professional development. By engineering a scalable organizational structure, I provided meaningful roles that aligned with business objectives and targets. I spearheaded the creation of a comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Plan, integrating both formal and informal educational programs, and ensuring transparent reporting to the board. Managing operations for 11 fast casual and two fine dining Little Beet locations in Midtown Manhattan and Washington DC, I championed change management initiatives that enhanced alignment with the brand’s promise, mission, and vision, significantly boosting team engagement and morale. Additionally, I developed and executed a compelling employee value proposition, markedly increasing satisfaction and engagement levels among team members.Among my selected accomplishments, I developed new operational standards based on Lean process improvement principles, achieving sustainable growth and reducing line-off rates from 27 to 14 seconds in high-demand locations, which drove same-store sales growth. I innovated the menu and optimized cooking procedures to enhance ingredient quality and reduce the cost of goods sold while maintaining premium standards. By implementing design and operational enhancements, I reduced store construction costs by 30%, improving future investment returns. My efforts in enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a positive work environment earned multiple accolades, including a spot in Restaurant Business’s “The Future 50” for 2020, #7 on Fishbowl’s Annual Emerging Brands 2020, Little Beet Table’s inclusion in the CIA-FST Plant Forward Full-Service Watch List for 2020, and a feature on the cover and title article of the January 2021 QSR magazine. These achievements reflect my commitment to driving excellence and innovation within the organization.

In my role, I reported directly to the Director of Human Resources, ensuring seamless communication and the effective execution of HR policies across the organization. I collaborated extensively with the Chief Financial Officer and 15 Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents, overseeing all aspects of employee relations and fostering a culture of talent development and engagement. My responsibilities included managing complex employee relations issues, developing and implementing HR strategies, and driving initiatives that aligned with the company's overarching business objectives. By promoting a supportive and growth-oriented environment, I ensured that both employee needs and organizational goals were consistently met.Among my selected accomplishments, I developed and directed talent strategies across key functions within the CFO organization, aligning human resources initiatives with strategic business objectives to enhance overall performance. I was recognized as a trusted advisor, providing expert guidance in leadership coaching, organizational design, change management, and talent development. These efforts significantly enhanced organizational performance and leadership effectiveness, contributing to a more dynamic and high-performing workplace. My ability to strategically align HR practices with business goals has been instrumental in driving sustainable growth and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

In my role, I orchestrated the strategy and processes for Field Implementation, ensuring the effective planning and execution of key initiatives aligned with the company’s strategic plan. I managed the design and distribution of implementation kits (Period Planning Kit) to all stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, overseeing both company-operated and licensed businesses. My responsibilities encompassed streamlining communication processes, integrating marketing campaigns into implementation schedules, and optimizing content intake to enhance organizational efficiency and consistency across all operations.Among my selected accomplishments, I streamlined and improved processes to guarantee uniform communication and execution across U.S. and Canadian operations, covering both company-operated and licensed businesses. I seamlessly integrated marketing campaigns into the implementation schedule for five business units, impacting over 14,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, I boosted organizational efficiency by optimizing content intake processes, leading to a highly effective implementation prioritization system. I spearheaded the development and deployment of sustainable quarterly calendars, ensuring successful field implementation and enhancing overall operational performance. These initiatives not only improved the consistency and effectiveness of our operations but also significantly contributed to the company’s growth and the successful execution of strategic initiatives across North America.

In my role, I managed a comprehensive test portfolio, reporting directly to the Director of Global Operations and Innovation. By fostering collaborative efforts with Marketing, Creative, Strategy, Product Category, R&D, and PR teams, I led my team to refine and implement a testing process that aligned with the company’s strategic objectives. My leadership ensured that our testing methodologies were both innovative and effective, enabling seamless integration of new products and programs into the market.Among my key accomplishments, I directed the development and implementation of strategies for Innovation and Testing, achieving a streamlined testing lifecycle through extensive consultation with cross-functional teams to establish and assess business test strategies. This initiative enhanced our ability to quickly adapt to market changes and accelerate product development timelines. Additionally, I delivered essential guidance throughout the entire testing phase, significantly influencing company decisions regarding strategic product and program launches. My efforts not only improved the efficiency and effectiveness of our testing processes but also played a crucial role in the successful introduction of new products, driving the company’s growth and maintaining its competitive edge in the industry.

I instituted Lean Thinking and continuous improvement capabilities across the organization, introducing effective change management strategies and innovative training modules. I crafted and implemented a sustainable enterprise-wide strategy for integrating Lean Learning practices, ensuring that these methodologies were deeply embedded within the company’s culture. Additionally, I established robust systems to support the continual development and implementation of continuous improvement strategies, fostering an environment where efficiency and innovation thrive across all departments.Among my selected accomplishments, I led the company-wide adoption of lean process improvement methods, significantly boosting operational efficiency and productivity at both support center and store levels. By streamlining daily operations, I markedly increased employee and customer satisfaction, contributing to overall enhanced company performance. I also designed and facilitated Value Stream Mapping workshops for critical functions within the Support Center, which improved call center response times and enhanced support for customer and store orders. These initiatives not only optimized our operational workflows but also reinforced a culture of continuous improvement, driving sustained growth and excellence throughout the organization.