Ricardo Palomar

+1-386-***-**** adu7vs@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardopalomar/

Hospitality and Retail Professional

Strong mid-level Operations Manager Bi-Lingual (English/Spanish) Diverse International Experience

Operation’s manager with strong front-of-house experience in various environments, including hotels, restaurants and corporate retail environments with major US brands. Strong skills as an active listener focused on creating win-win situations for both guests and employees while driving a profitable operation. Multi-cultural experience focused on finding ways to improve performance and delivering excellent customer service.

Signature Qualifications

Strong verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish

Creative

Social Media skills

Dependable

Ability to manage costs

Team-oriented

Multi-tasker

Highly organized

Excellent interpersonal communication skills with a high degree of empathy

Problem solver

Public relations

Strong sense of Guest urgency

Train the trainer skills

Profit focused

Reliable recordkeeper

Win-Win attitude

Professional Experience

Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant

January 2021 – February 2022

Winter Park, Florida A new Mexican restaurant in Central Florida

General Manager

Hired as consultant to establish the restaurant’s identity and establish operating processes. The successful set up of the restaurant led to a full-time position as General Manager and responsible for achieving sales of more than 3.5MM in revenue.

Established restaurant operating polices and standards.

Led public relations and media efforts with local press and VIP visits (including Mexican Consulate and members of the Florida legislature).

Selected, negotiated, and implemented a POS system in accordance with industry standards.

Responsible for weekly payroll and scheduling staff aligned with restaurant forecasts.

Overall responsibility for customer satisfaction and resolving guest related issues.

Monitored and responded to online reviews.

Worked with Groupon to setup promotions and establish restaurant’s identity in the community.

Setup and monitored cash control procedures.

Established discipline standards with staff to ensure compliance with health, safety, and restaurant standards.

Ensure compliance with food safety and health regulations, including meeting with local health officials when inspecting the restaurant.

Ensures that all servers attend training for Alcohol Awareness

Frontera Cocina at Disney Springs™ (Walt Disney World)

May 2019 – July 2020

Lake Buena Vista, Florida Mexican restaurant, by seven-time winner of the James Beard Foundation Award, Chef Rick Bayless.

Restaurant Operations Manager

Recruited to manager front of house restaurant operations in the high-volume 180-seat outlet located at Disney Springs, located in the Walt Disney World resort.

Oversight of day to day front of house operations, including supervision of staff and customer service.

Monitor performance of sales, quality, and cash controls

Ensure productivity and service standards

Strong understanding of the Walt Disney World Resort and the various Disney programs (including the Disney Dining Program).

Initiate correction action when necessary and ensure compliance with operations standards.

Ensure compliance with food safety and health regulations, including meeting with local health officials when inspecting the restaurant.

Adherence to labor standards, including time and attendance rules

Ensures that all servers attend training for Alcohol Awareness

(Position was eliminated due to COVID-19 and lack of demand at the Walt Disney World Resort)

Agave Azul Mexican Restaurant

September 2009 – February 2015

Orlando, Florida Upscale casual Mexican restaurant focused known for its margaritas and quality food.

Restaurant General Manager

Hired to develop to professional standards for front of house operations at the high volume 80-seat upscale Mexican restaurant.

Recruit, interview, hire, train, evaluate and terminate staff based on restaurant policies and procedures

Conduct daily team briefings

Review and analyze weekly and monthly financial results, highlight problem areas and discuss with ownership and appropriate staff.

Remain current and set expectations for enforcing the highest standards of safety, sanitation, and hygiene according to State and local health regulations.

Stay up-to-date on current trends in the industry and make suggestions how these could be implemented for the benefit of the resort; was an annual attendee at the Mexican Restaurant Association conferences.

Handled all guest complaints in a timely manner, maintaining a positive impression with the guest on resolving any complaints.

Responsible for cash management and cash controls with both servers and bar staff

The Gap, Incorporated

November 1998 – September 2009

Multiple US Domestic Locations American worldwide clothing and accessories retailer

Employed in several leadership positions at various US locations for over ten years in two of the company’s primary brands: Gap and Old Navy.

Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training, and evaluating associates based on the company’s hiring policies.

Keyholder, responsible for opening and closing store and ensuring cash control and security procedures were adhered to.

Attended quarterly or semi-annual regional meetings and was responsible for keeping the team up to date on policy and strategy changes.

Monitored and drove customer applications in the Gap retail credit card program – consistently meeting or exceeding store goals on a weekly basis.

Worked with customer complaints and ensured compliance with company refund policies.

Completed staff schedules on a weekly basis.

Lead performance review process for staff on a semi-annual and annual basis.

Ensured employees were aware of store sales goals and were reliably meeting goals.

Gap Employment History:

Old Navy

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Associate General Manager (4/8 – 9/09)

Gap Store

Snellville, GA 30078

Associate General Manager (12/07 – 04/08)

Gap Store

Lithonia, GA 30038

Associate General manager (7/06 – 12/07)

Gap Store

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Associate General Manager (5/04 – 7/06)

Assistant General Manager (4/03 – 5/04)

Sales Supervisor (8/02 – 4/03)

Sales Associate (7/00 – 8/02)

Gap Store

Aspen, CO 81611

Sales Supervisor (8/99 – 11/99)

Stock Room Supervisor (11/98 – 8/99)

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

January 1994 – November 1998

Marina del Rey, California 306-room luxury hotel

Engaged to serve guests in various capacities over four years.

Positions held:

Guest Service Representative (Valet Supervisor)

Overnight Housekeeping Supervisor

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