John Szweada
MOUNT VERNON
Summary
Accomplished restaurant professional with strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Known for resolving customer complaints effectively while fostering a collaborative team environment. Prepared to apply expertise in training and mentoring staff to enhance overall dining experiences.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Manager
Doherty
Scarsdale
11.2022 - Current
- Oversaw daily restaurant operations and maintained high service standards.
- Oversaw daily operations, including scheduling, budgeting, and inventory control, to ensure smooth restaurant functionality.
- Scheduled staff to maximize coverage during peak hours, enhancing service efficiency.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly to maintain a positive dining experience.
- Managed inventory levels and ordered supplies to ensure proper stock availability.
- Oversaw inventory and ordered ingredients to restock freezers, fridges and pantry.
- Implemented health and safety regulations to ensure compliance with local laws.
- Ensured compliance with all food safety regulations and sanitation standards.
- Adhered to all health department regulations regarding food storage and preparation.
- Promoted safe working conditions by monitoring safety procedures and equipment.
- Trained and mentored staff to enhance team performance and customer satisfaction.
- Supervised and trained staff in customer service, food handling, and safety protocols.
- Trained front-of-house staff on restaurant policies and procedures, guest service techniques and communication skills to promote positive experiences.
- Trained workers in food preparation, money handling, and cleaning roles to facilitate restaurant operations.
- Coached team members on food safety and sanitation processes, customer service, menu education and up-selling techniques to drive revenue.
- Prepared employee schedules to maintain appropriate staffing levels during peak periods.
- Oversaw the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling and evaluation of employees.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Conducted weekly team meetings to discuss performance issues and provide feedback.
- Resolved conflicts among employees in an effective manner.
- Communicated well and used strong interpersonal skills to establish positive relationships with guests and employees.
- Worked in close collaboration with team members to ensure customers received high-quality service.
- Checked with guests to get feedback on food served, resolve issues, bring additional items and refill beverages.
- Maintained detailed records of sales transactions and daily shift reports.
- Consistently maintained high levels of cleanliness, organization, storage and sanitation of food and beverage products to ensure quality.
- Resolved customer issues with knowledgeable and friendly service, fostering high customer satisfaction.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
Pest Control Technician
Knockout
Uniondale
08.2021 - 09.2022
- Inspected properties for pest infestations and identified treatment options.
- Applied pesticides and other treatments in compliance with safety regulations.
- Educated clients on pest prevention methods and maintenance practices.
- Maintained accurate service records and chemical usage to ensure compliance and improve future pest management strategies.
- Conducted follow-up visits to verify effectiveness of treatments and adjust strategies as needed for optimal pest control.
- Followed all company protocols when applying pesticides on the inside and outside of structures.
- Mixed chemicals according to label directions in order to create effective solutions for treating pests.
- Completed detailed reports after each job detailing the work completed along with any recommendations made.
- Conducted interior and exterior applications of insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, growth regulators and other products using hand or power sprayers, dusters and foggers.
- Diagnosed pest issues based on observed evidence such as droppings, tracks or nests.
- Set mechanical traps, baits, and glue boards to remove pests from interior areas.
- Communicated with customers regarding any safety concerns they may have prior to performing any treatments.
- Maintained knowledge and adhered to state rules and regulations.
- Monitored customer complaints regarding pest activity in order to identify problem areas requiring additional treatment.
- Adhered to safety procedures when applying pesticides to reduce exposure to people and animals.
- Documented each job in comprehensive reports, highlighting sanitation and structural issues to prevent future infestations.
- Identified potential entry points for pests and sealed them off with caulking or other materials.
- Educated customers on proper sanitation practices to help prevent future infestations of pests.
- Used ladders or lifts to access attics and crawl spaces for pest inspection.
Culinary Manager
Darden
Yonkers
02.2012 - 01.2021
- Managed kitchen operations to ensure consistent food quality and presentation.
- Developed and implemented training programs for culinary staff efficiency.
- Oversaw inventory management to maintain supply levels and minimize waste.
- Enforced health and safety standards to promote a safe cooking environment.
- Supervised staff schedules to optimize labor costs and operational flow.
- Monitored employee attendance records to ensure compliance with company policies.
- Monitored kitchen staff to uphold company standards for taste, speed, and presentation.
- Managed a team of chefs, cooks and other kitchen staff; monitored performance and provided feedback for improvement.
- Trained new employees on safety protocols, knife skills, recipe preparation techniques and plating design.
- Ensured proper food safety and sanitation standards were met throughout the kitchen.
- Ordered supplies such as ingredients, kitchen equipment and cleaning materials.
- Oversaw daily operations of the kitchen including scheduling, budgeting and inventory control.
- Collaborated with front of house manager to coordinate marketing, special events and menu changes.
- Displayed strong leadership skills by motivating employees during busy periods of service.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss changes in policies or procedures in the kitchen.
- Created cost-effective strategies to reduce waste while maintaining quality standards.
- Consistently maintained high levels of cleanliness, organization, storage and sanitation of food and beverage products to ensure quality.
- Worked in close collaboration with team members to ensure customers received high-quality service.
- Checked with guests to get feedback on food served, resolve issues, bring additional items and refill beverages.
- Resolved problems or concerns to satisfaction of involved parties.
- Explained goals and expectations required of trainees.
- Reconciled daily transactions, balanced cash registers and deposited restaurant's earnings at bank.
- Inspected dining and serving areas for cleanliness and proper setup.
- Coached staff on strategies to enhance performance and improve customer relations.
- Circulated within assigned areas to assess and address customer needs, effectively prioritizing tasks during peak hours.
- Implemented food safety protocols and ensured compliance with health regulations.
- Conducted regular inspections of kitchen equipment to ensure proper functionality.
- Oversaw daily operations of the kitchen including meal preparation, cooking methods, portion sizes and plate presentation.
- Performed weekly inventories of food items stored in refrigerators or freezers.
- Ordered ingredients and supplies to maintain adequate inventory levels for the kitchen.
Department Supervisor
Home Depot
Jersey City
10.2007 - 08.2012
- Trained and mentored staff on product knowledge and customer service techniques.
- Coordinated inventory management and restocking procedures for sales floor readiness.
- Managed scheduling to optimize workforce availability during peak hours.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints to enhance satisfaction and loyalty.
- Implemented safety protocols to maintain a secure working environment for employees.
- Collaborated with management on strategic initiatives to improve store performance.
- Trained employees on new processes or procedures as needed.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations across the department.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner.
- Trained and mentored new associates on department policies and procedures.
- Addressed employee issues and conflicts to provide input, feedback, and coaching.
- Participated in weekly meetings with senior leadership teams to discuss progress.
- Maintained inventory accuracy by counting stock-on-hand and reconciling discrepancies.
- Conducted performance reviews for staff members.
- Provided coaching and mentoring support to team members.
- Delegated tasks appropriate to individual employees to provide development opportunities.
- Created reports summarizing daily operations for upper-level management review.
- Mentored employees in management of complicated sales, complex issues and difficult customers.
- Assessed displays for proper stock, checked store organization, and kept aisles clear of obstacles.
- Put together store's large displays.
- Organized special events or meetings related to the department's activities.
- Managed inventory and stock levels in coordination with purchasing and receiving department.
- Established goals for each team member and monitored progress towards those objectives.
- Oversaw the hiring process, including recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding new employees.
- Managed inventory levels of supplies required for daily operations.
- Investigated potential problems or discrepancies reported by team members.
Floor Installer
Neals Hardwood Flooring
Branford
03.2001 - 07.2007
- Installed hardwood flooring in residential and commercial spaces with precision.
- Measured and cut materials to ensure accurate fitting and minimal waste.
- Prepared subfloors by leveling and repairing surfaces before installation.
- Operated various tools and equipment for cutting, sanding, and finishing floors.
- Ensured compliance with safety standards during all installation processes.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace throughout the installation projects.
- Measured and cut flooring to fit specific room dimensions.
- Used hand and power tools to install hardwood, vinyl, laminate, and other types of flooring.
- Loaded and unloaded equipment and supplies onto job sites safely.
- Selected appropriate underlayment based on customer requirements and job specifications.
- Cut and trimmed flooring to suit specified areas before installation.
- Installed hardwood floors in residential homes, using hand and power tools.
- Removed existing flooring and discarded old material.
- Applied sealants or finishes to protect the flooring after installation was complete.
Education
High School Diploma -
Bayonne High School
Bayonne, NJ06-2000
Skills
- Staff training
- Inventory management
- Customer service
- Health regulation compliance
- Budget oversight
- Scheduling optimization
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Relationship building
- Constructive feedback
- Group and individual instruction
- Time management coaching
- Skill development
- Self-esteem building
- Effective leadership
- Group instruction experience
- Lesson planning
- Positive reinforcement
- Leadership mentoring
- Support services
- Staff management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Direct supervision
- Activity planning
- Skill building
- Empathetic approach
- Problem-solving guidance
- Peer counseling
- Behavioral management
Timeline
Restaurant Manager
Doherty
11.2022 - Current
Pest Control Technician
Knockout
08.2021 - 09.2022
Culinary Manager
Darden
02.2012 - 01.2021
Department Supervisor
Home Depot
10.2007 - 08.2012
Floor Installer
Neals Hardwood Flooring
03.2001 - 07.2007
High School Diploma -
Bayonne High School