Area General Manager

LARRY MORRIS

(cell) 678-***-**** •

Multi-Unit Operations Management

Service-oriented professional with consistent record of cost, profit, and operations achievements seeks position to further develop staff, productivity, profitability, efficiencies, and customer relations. Analytical and detailed oriented with over thirty years of operations, sales, and leadership experience within the service industry. Tenacious in the pursuit of excellent customer service and dedicated to the service industry with knowledge of current trends and creative solutions.

Core competencies include:

• Strong organizational skills

• Multi-task proficient

• Multi-unit experienced

• Customer service/relations dedicated

• New market & customer development

• Facility turnarounds & profit improvement

• Multi-media advertising/promotions

• Extensive P/L management

• Budget creation/execution/evaluation • Technology integration

• Regulatory compliance

• Efficiency improvements

• Team recruitment/training/leadership

• Menu development/costing

• New product/service planning/launch

• Event planning/execution

• Facility design/capital improvements

• Develop departmental goals/objectives

Personal Strengths:

A strategic planner and problem solver with strong team development attributes. An effective negotiator who relates well to a wide variety of people and demographic groups. Possess a strong desire to succeed with the ability to notice opportunities and situations missed by others. Uncompromising work ethic with a natural gift of hospitality and acute business acumen.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sodexo, Atlanta, Georgia, 2005-Present

Area General Manager

Hired to provide operational direction for explosive growth suburban Atlanta. Presently providing autonomous control of ‘09 budgets exceeding $8M+. Manage financial/fiscal viability of 4 national, 5 regional, and 8 in-house cost centers. Instrumental in design and layout of organizational patterns. staff development, marketing initiatives, as well as procurement/purchasing standards. Manage daily operations through subordinate staff of managers.

 Managed installation of new $1M Food Court construction project (Quiznos, Pete’s Arena, Marketplace)

Wild Birds Unlimited, Suwanee, Georgia, 1999-2005

Owner/Director of Operations

Provided hands-on day-to-day management of corporation to include sales, purchasing, marketing/advertising, customer relations, and employee development/training. Executed management decisions in conjunction with P/L performance to ensure profitability of units. Implemented computer and networking software to efficiently communicate between units so as to collectively integrate resources.

 Conceptualized, planned, and implemented business model for corporation of four specialty retail units.

 Grew business from $0 to $4M in sales by developing and improving customer loyalty and incentive strategies.

 Effectively reduced COG’s by 7.5% thru standardization and aggressive control of purchasing initiatives.

Belca Foodservice, Atlanta, Georgia, 1995-1999

District Sales Manager

Promoted from Territory Manager with full responsibility for sales initiatives of a diversified nine member, 117 account, and $565,000 weekly district. Compiled periodic financial reporting packages for senior management. Carried out internal audits to ensure budgetary compliance and best sales practices. Built and led teams in carrying out special projects.

 Increased district sales dollars 10% annually through key account penetration, computer integration, and TM product knowledge.

 Maintained a 99.2% customer satisfaction score via hands-on management involvement.

Southern Foodservice Management, Norcross, Georgia, 1993-1995

General Manager

Hired to introduce sound operational strategies for multi-platform account in disarray. Initiated procedural changes with major emphasis on production and inventory control. Stabilized operations by revamping all policies, procedures, and production systems. Implemented JIT purchasing program and developed production schedules. Facilitated departmental capital renovations of $1,000,000.00, to include all front and back of house components. Approved monthly financial statements and audited reports. Performed monthly account reconciliation’s and monitored P/L performance.

 Saved $200,000+ in annual expenses through identification of over production, waste, lack of controls, and unnecessary purchasing practices within 6 months of initiatives.

 Increased sales by 9% at 2 multi-shift café’s. Increased catering by 20%. Implemented vending program.

ARA, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1989-1993

Director

Accountable for P/L results of 300+ bed hospital Foodservice Department with budget in excess of $5 million. Maintained customer and client relations with ongoing dialogue and open discussions. Interacted with subordinate managers and client to implement strategic changes necessary for cost and efficiency changes. Monitored financial statements, including account analysis and reconciliation, journal entries, and AR/AP. Initiated and lead budgetary processes.

 Increased overall unit sales 12% through implementation of “Fast Takes” carryout program.

 Decreased “unproductive” employee hours 21% through incentives and quotas.

Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, 1985-1989

Director

Directed 9 cost centers with 5 managers, 7 supervisors, 113 employees and $7+ million in sales for 500+ bed healthcare facility. Recruited to develop/ implement policies/procedures. Facilitated opening of new units with responsibility for staff training, production, quality control, and implementation of computerized control modules. Evaluated performance of patient feeding, 300-seat cafeteria, 79-seat restaurant, vending, off-site catering, in-house special functions, senior center, private dining rooms, and retail units.

EDUCATION

B.B.A., 1993, Georgia State University, Atlanta Georgia

Major: Business Operations Management.

A.O.S., 1985, Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York

Major: Culinary Arts

Talent Recruiting

September 9, 2009

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am posting a copy of my cover letter and resume for the District Manager’s position posted for Atlanta, GA. and would like to emphasize my qualifications with the hope of securing inclusion in the interview process. My experience in the service industry is extensive, with over 30 years of leadership experience in various market segments, and I am confident my qualifications closely match the job specific requirements.

Presently, I have direct responsibility for an explosive growth suburban Atlanta area with the additional responsibility of overseeing the performance and growth of two smaller accounts. I foster client relationships and participate in contract negotiations to increase new business opportunities and profitability for Sodexo. My duties include providing strategic leadership and ensuring the financial performance of goals established. Additionally, I manipulate, interpret, analyze, and explain financial information to appropriate parties, and identify key factors that affect the financial performance of the unit. Function as an advisor to the locations regarding tasks, projects, and become actively involved in daily operations when required to meet schedules, resolve complex problems, and/or insist upon adherence to company operational systems and procedures. The ability to set priorities, plan, and coordinate work activities, as well as, attention to detail has enabled me to turn these units and other mediocre units into pleasurable yet profitable dining experiences. A philosophy of providing the utmost in quality service with the addition of astute business acumen has made this success possible.

Also, I have functioned as a Regional Consultant (ARAMark) for the purpose of evaluating existing and potential accounts while recommending and implementing cost effective strategies. Other pertinent responsibilities included monitoring compliance of all company and/or client policies and procedures as well as ensuring units operated to the highest standards of profitability, production and service. I achieved results through analysis, evaluation, and a systemic planning process.

Over the years I have accepted leadership positions with three of the service industries leading management services companies (Sodexo, ARAMark, CompUSA). I have gained an invaluable amount of knowledge from these organizations such as analytical thinking, interpersonal relations, diversity awareness, customer focus, delegating and directing, planning, team building, communication, and stress tolerance.

I am looking for a Multi-Unit level position that can provide me with challenges as well as opportunities. In exchange I will provide a dedicated and committed work ethic, which I guarantee, will get results. Thanks again for your interest and I look forward to meeting with you soon so as to further discuss these achievements.

Professionally,

Larry Morris

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