Director of Operations

Dennis Gehring.

Delaware, Ohio, USA ***********@*****.*** 614-***-**** in/Dkgehring

SUMMARY

Dynamic Hospitality Executive with a proven track record of driving innovation and exceeding customer expectations. Skilled in relationship- building, team leadership, and operational optimization, I create memorable guest experiences. Passionate about service excellence, I foster an associate-first culture to ensure continuous improvement and operational success across all business functions. EXPERIENCE

General Manager, Foodservice/Business Operations

Express September 2015 - June 2024, Columbus, OH

• Directed food and beverage operations, catering and corporate event planning for a multi-national retail company. Provided executive vision, oversight, guidance and ongoing training for the culinary operations teams, while coaching and reacting to cost of goods results to ensure year over year improvement.

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Executed cost savings initiatives resulting in $80,000 operational savings within six months after leading pricing and contract negotiations with all food, beverage and suppliers.

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• Reduced guest order times within the cafe by 41% by making strategic menu and ingredient changes based on sales analytics. Led on going associate food safety training and testing aligned with ServSafe and Ohio Department of Health to ensure food safety and overall safety in the workplace.

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• Supported executive leadership to conceptualize corporate events within given scope and budget.

• Allocated staffing needs in support of an ting and evaluations for up to 20 direct reports to ensure associate recognition and growth. Administered guest satisfaction surveys, implementing operational changes based on guest feedback, resulting in an 18% increase in guest satisfaction and 3% gain in guest counts over six months.

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Streamlined collaboration with finance department in partnership during yearly budgeting to ensure clearer, and more accurate P&L reporting.

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General Manager/Operating Partner

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants January 2000 - September 2015, Columbus, OH Managed teams of up to 120 hourly associates and 7 managers across four dining concepts, while enhancing operational efficiency, financial performance and guest satisfaction.

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• Spearheaded two new dining concept launches, leading hiring, training, and menu collaboration to establish distinct operational frameworks.

• Achieved a 10% improvement in profitability by leveraging analytical insights for precision in financial management operations. Enhanced employee loyalty by establishing trustful and transparent workplace, supported by structured coaching initiatives which led to continual yearly retention increments.

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Cultivated a team-driven environment that resulted in a 30% reduction in staff turnover by implementing comprehensive training programs and promoting internal growth opportunities, thereby enhancing overall operational stability and customer service for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.

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Managed luxury hospitality-focused initiatives achieving a 40% increase in VIP guest retention over nine months, by personalizing service offerings and enhancing exclusive amenities at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.

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Optimized supply chain processes by integrating advanced inventory management and vendor coordination tools, resulting in a 20% reduction in food and beverage costs over 18 months at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.

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Leveraged customer analytics and targeted experience carving, generating a 15% growth in guest loyalty to Cameron Mitchell Restaurants within 12 months.

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Boosted annual revenue by 15% through the strategic implementation of menu items, style of service and improved customer engagement strategies, aligning with excellence standards at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.

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CERTIFICATIONS

State of Ohio Food Protection Certification

ServSafe - Food Protection Manager Certification.

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SKILLS

Soft SkillsLeadership, Communication, Collaborative, Customer-Centric Mindset, Conflict Resolution, Time Management, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Decision-Making, Negotiation, Emotional Intelligence Hard SkillsCost Control, P&L (Profit and Loss) Management, Operational Proficiency, Staff Training & Development, Budgeting, Forecasting, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, Process Optimization, Strategic Planning Technical SkillsData Analysis, Restaurant Management Software, Inventory Management Systems, Scheduling Software (e.g., Hot Schedules) Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) EDUCATION

The Ohio State University • Columbus, Ohio

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