SWEET BUTTER KITCHEN, Sherman Oaks, CA 2012-July 2015General Manager/Retail Buyer Supervise 25 front of house staff including 3 managers in a fast paced, high volume restaurant with revenue of $2.5 million. • Manage the daily operations including cleanliness, maintenance, staffing and guest relations.• Responsible for buying product to fill the marketplace with emphasis on holiday buying.• Ordering of all restaurant drinks, outsourced bakery goods, supplies and dishware.• Maintain health and safety codes.• Staff hiring and training of managers, runners, bussers, cashiers and all front of house staff. Coach and counsel, motivate and promote from within.• Enhanced marketplace with new merchandising standards and developing private label product.• Accountable for front of house financial reconciliation, including balancing register drawers and banking.• Prepare schedules and assess restaurant needs on a weekly basis• Implemented a hands on approach at tables for a better guest experience• Partnership with head chef and kitchen staff with catering, staff and guest needs• Multi-tasker with attention to detail

Built assortments, bought and managed inventory for 55 casino resort gift shops, under multiple brands throughout the United States with revenue of $6 million.Key contributor to the launching of three Paula Deen Stores, Go Sexy, Viking Cooking Store and high-end gift stores.Received Innovation Award in 2010 for opening new concept store called Go Sexy.Created, expanded and developed 35 classifications with YOY revenue increase of 42% in bath and body dept and accessory classification 62% increase.Analyzed weekly reports tracking inventory, sales and margins. Identified problems and opportunities and set strategies.Communicated and negotiated with vendors on costs, product development and placement. Developed seasonal business resulting in 26% increase in revenue.Executed monthly store promotions to increase sales including trunk shows.Introduced and implemented successful life style buying concept.Maintained communication between store locations, corporate team and distribution center via conference calls and property visits.Supervised, trained and motivated an assistant.Completed Legendary Leadership Management Series and received role model certification.Coordinated with visual and operations teams on new merchandising opportunities.Adapted to economic conditions to maintain consistent sales and margins by purchasing closeouts, running monthly promotions and introducing lower price point vendor programs.Attended trade shows and shopped competition to identify new and existing trends.

Represented thirty gift lines, including postcard, paper products, books and apparel.Collaborated with Universal Studios licensing departments for new product development.Coordinated product placement with buyers and sales staff.Expanded merchandise assortments of specialty retail venues leading to increased sales.

Supported product development of hard lines for major theme park.Generated $3.5 million in sales for non-logo toys, gifts and paper lines.Conceptualized cart and store-specific themes to generate more local and tourist traffic.Merchandised products throughout nineteen locationsDirected manager and employee sales training programs to increase multiple sales.