Customer-Ffocused Service Professional with Leadership Experience

Caroline Melissa Cohalla

********@*****.*** New Port Richey, 34655 +1-352-***-****

Summary

Highly accomplished and results-oriented manager with over 15 years of experience in diverse roles including restaurant management, sales, and retail operations. Proven ability to drive revenue, manage teams, and optimize customer satisfaction. Expertise in P&L management, event planning, and staff training, with a strong focus on maintaining high standards and achieving profitability. Eager to leverage extensive leadership and operational skills to contribute to the success of the organization.

Work Experience

Front of House Manager, Bacon Street Diner, Clearwater 08/2023 – Present

Directs front and back of house operations with a holistic approach, prioritizing exceptional customer experiences.

Oversees all aspects of front of house staffing, including recruitment, training, and performance management.

Maintains comprehensive HR records, ensuring all team members hold current food handler and ServSafe certifications.

Develops and manages daily staffing schedules for servers, hosts, and bussers, ensuring labor cost standards are met.

Conducts weekly bar inventory, manages ordering, and maintains optimal par levels. Handles all customer relations and coordinates in-house parties and catered events. Negotiates contracts, sets pricing, and manages the logistics for both on- and off-premises events.

FOH Manager, Molly Goodhead’s, Ozona

08/2021 – 08/2023

Managed overall restaurant operations, including front of house, bar, and kitchen as Manager on Duty.

Scheduled daily zones for servers and bartenders to ensure efficient service flow. Supervised kitchen staff to guarantee seamless service delivery. Ensured quality presentation of all food orders through effective expo line management. Controlled costs and maintained food quality standards to enhance customer satisfaction and retention.

Maintained accountability for cash and credit card transactions for all servers and bartenders.

Executed company fund close-out procedures and back-of-house administrative tasks. Head Server/Trainer & Catering, Lil Bits Cafe, The Villages 11/2012 – 07/2021

Contributed to cafe operations intermittently since 2012, transitioning to full-time in November 2019 after managing at Anytime Fitness.

Possess a Certified Food and Safety Manager license. Led the training and management of daily and weekly side work responsibilities for staff. Drove 40% of annual revenue through the successful execution of private catering events within The Villages.

Orchestrated events for groups ranging from 50 to 300 attendees. Managed event setup, provided service, bartended, and oversaw post-event cleanup. Area Manager, ANYTIME FITNESS, Lady Lake

09/2011 – 11/2019

Supervised operations across three fitness club locations. Managed the hiring and onboarding process for all new staff members and personal trainers.

Fostered community engagement through participation in chamber events and cold outreach to businesses for corporate wellness program development. Oversaw membership sales, account management, insurance processing, member retention, customer service, club maintenance, and overall club culture and cleanliness. Directed social media content for all three locations to boost revenue, new memberships, renewals, and promotional contests.

Focused on elevating sales within the personal training department. Enhanced member engagement with fitness classes and one-on-one personal training programs by highlighting member success stories.

Sales and Leasing Consultant, GORDON CHEVROLET, Tampa 10/2006 – 08/2011

Cultivated strong relationships with new clients by identifying needs through targeted questioning, guiding them through the new vehicle purchase or lease process from inception to completion.

Consistently achieved sales of 10-15 vehicles per month. Major Account Sales Manager, FEDEX OFFICE, Clearwater 06/2003 – 03/2006

Managed a portfolio of 20 key accounts with an aggregate revenue exceeding $10 million. Established and nurtured relationships with senior executives, employing a consultative sales approach to provide solutions tailored to organizational requirements. Maintained a client base of 60 accounts within my designated territory. Senior Center Manager, FEDEX OFFICE, Clearwater

06/2001 – 06/2003

Directed sales and profitability for multiple centers, managing core operational costs. Achieved and sustained top-quartile performance metrics following assumption of leadership.

Oversaw the management of several retail locations. Developed high-performing teams with individualized growth plans. Prioritized internal promotions to foster employee morale and career development. Submitted detailed visual merchandising plans and planograms punctually. Implemented visual merchandising strategies to enhance the customer experience and ensure satisfaction.

General Manager, OLD NAVY GAP Inc, Poughkeepsie

11/1999 – 04/2001

Led a team of 100 employees, including 6 Assistant Managers and 7 Department Managers. Facilitated monthly team meetings to ensure open communication and effective oversight of store operations.

Managed all recruitment processes and made key decisions regarding Human Resources functions.

Emphasized visual merchandising execution and maintained high departmental presentation standards.

Consistently met and exceeded corporate standards during regional and district management reviews.

Was on an accelerated career path, undergoing training for a District Management role. Executive Soft Line Manager, TARGET, Fort Myers

09/1998 – 10/1999

Directed the Soft Line Division within the store.

Served as Manager-On-Duty, overseeing daily operations of the Super Center. Managed the implementation of visual displays, supervised team members, and resolved customer issues and safety concerns.

Assisted with inventory receiving and managed vendor relations. Ensured adherence to corporate standards by maintaining departmental cleanliness and organization.

Maintained high standards, particularly for visits from Vice President and Regional Management.

Store Sales Manager, LERNER NEW YORK, Clearwater

09/1990 – 08/1998

Managed all team members with a strong focus on visual presentation and exceeding customer service benchmarks.

Handled a demanding workload encompassing budget versus profit analysis, gathering managerial feedback, and conducting employee training and evaluations. Demonstrated superior time management capabilities. Effectively allocated time to prioritize customer care and issue resolution. Education

Some College, Business Administration, St. Petersburg Junior College, Tarpon Springs Campus

07/1988 – 06/1990

Completed coursework in Business Administration.

Skills

Profit & Loss Serving Restaurant Management Cash register Analysis skills Budgeting Retail sales Marketing Accounting Inside sales Catering Retail math Pricing Event Planning Kitchen Experience Business development Recruiting Store management Computer skills Upselling Languages

English

Certificates

Driver's License

Food Handler Certification

ServSafe

Certified Food Safety Manager

05/2026

Professional In Human Resources

Senior Professional in Human Resources

Dealership experience Food Safety Sales Management Sales support Contracts Employee Orientation Bartending Payroll Computer literacy Team Management Interviewing Office Management Negotiation Merchandising Salesforce Account management Cold calling Customer relationship management B2B sales Time management Events management Math Guest services Sales Baking Hospitality Banquet Experience Direct sales Outside sales CRM software Human resources Management Supervising experience

Assistant Manager Experience Leadership Team Management Interviewing Office Management Negotiation Customer service Relationship management Store Management Experience Communication skills

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