Atawhai Mereana
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Hospitality leader with a strong track record across restaurant supervision, training, and guest experience in refined dining environments. Proud of building confident, high-performing teams, driving sales through intentional service, and creating experiences that feel both polished and personal. Deeply engaged in food, wine, and beverage operations, with a leadership style that is hands-on, collaborative, and growth-focused. Ambitious, curious, and committed to continually sharpening my craft as I evolve into a true professional in hospitality leadership and service excellence.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Supervisor
The Meat and Wine Co
Melbourne, VIC
03.2026 - Current
- Lead daily floor operations, managing staff, section allocations and service flow to ensure efficient operations and an exceptional guest experience.
- Conduct manager check backs at every table to ensure guest satisfaction, proactively gather feedback and resolve complaints professionally. Take ownership of guest concerns, finding effective solutions to address issues promptly and ensure guests leave with a positive dining experience.
- Oversee staff training and development, ensuring new hires meet required standards and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work independently. Provide ongoing floor coaching, reinforcing positive performance and delivering constructive feedback to support continuous improvement and facilitate development.
- Prepare end of day reports covering service performance, operational issues and key updates, ensuring clear communication between FoH & BoH management.
- Monitored inventory levels, conducted weekly stocktakes to identify and investigate variances, implemented solutions to minimise stock loss, and recorded daily adjustments including wastage and staff meals to ensure accurate stock control
Departmental Trainer
Asado
Melbourne
03.2024 - 03.2026
- Guided team members by identifying training needs and facilitating professional development, fostering a culture of growth.
- Established sales target of $130 spend per customer to direct team efforts and facilitated training sessions to enhance staff capabilities.
- Drive team performance by implementing sales incentives, setting clear objectives, monitoring progress, and providing constructive feedback through a monthly appraisal system. Intentional strategies to boost productivity.
- Coordinated staff and managed floor flow during service periods while proactively responding to guest needs and feedback to maintain service standards.
Duty Manager
Del Mar
Oamaru
11.2022 - 02.2024
- Supervise Front of House staff, ensuring compliance with service standards.
- Ensure responsible alcohol service in accordance with the Act requirements.
- Optimise staff schedules to align with business needs, ensuring operational efficiency.
- Enhance team morale and service quality by recognising achievements and offering guidance.
- Negotiate with vendors to secure advantageous pricing on food and beverage products.
Customer Experience Representative
ACC
Dunedin
08.2021 - 11.2022
- Established long-lasting relationships with new and existing clients through warm, personable and knowledgeable phone interactions.
- Engaged clients with proactive strategies to understand needs and develop successful solutions.
- Maintained high-volume workload within fast-paced environment and consistently met performance benchmarks + KPIs
Front of House
Starfish Cafe & Bar
Dunedin
02.2021 - 07.2021
Cafe All Rounder
Sopheze Espresso Garden
Timaru
01.2017 - 12.2019
Education
NCEA level 3 - Merit endorsement, University Entrance, NCEA level 2 - Merit endorsement, NCEA level 1 - Merit endorsement -
Craighead Diocesan School
Timaru12-2019
Skills
- Floor operations
- Guest experience
- Service excellence
- Coaching and training
- Sales & KPI Achievement
- Wine Knowledge
- POS & cash handling
- Customer Engagement
Certification
- RSA
- First Aid & CPR
- Evolve3 - How to Train
- Evolve3 - How to Lead
Timeline
Restaurant Supervisor
The Meat and Wine Co
03.2026 - Current
Departmental Trainer
Asado
03.2024 - 03.2026
Duty Manager
Del Mar
11.2022 - 02.2024
Customer Experience Representative
ACC
08.2021 - 11.2022
Front of House
Starfish Cafe & Bar
02.2021 - 07.2021
Cafe All Rounder
Sopheze Espresso Garden
01.2017 - 12.2019
NCEA level 3 - Merit endorsement, University Entrance, NCEA level 2 - Merit endorsement, NCEA level 1 - Merit endorsement -
Craighead Diocesan School