Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Daren Hills

Alexandra Headland,QLD

Summary

Adept at driving operational excellence and financial growth, I leveraged data analytics and motivational leadership at Junk and Liliana's Restaurants to exceed KPIs and optimize profitability. My expertise in P&L management and staff development, combined with a track record of successful business forecasting, positions me as a dynamic force in business operations.

Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.

Dedicated hospitality professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Seasoned Operations Manager and talented leader with 30 years of experience applying exceptional planning and problem-solving abilities toward enhancing business plans and day-to-day activities. Results-driven and resilient in developing teams while improving processes and increasing productivity. Bringing solid understanding of industry trends, excellent communication skills, talent for spotting areas in need of improvement and implementing changes with strategic approach.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience

Work History

Operations Manager

Junk and Liliana's Restaurants
01.2021 - Current
  • Successfully managing front and back of house operations for three busy restaurants.
  • Forecasting for revenue, labour and cost of goods on a daily and weekly basis, resulting in optimised financial performance.
  • Consistently meeting KPI's weekly, showcasing exceptional managerial skills and commitment to achieving targets.
  • Implemented effective process and procedures, streamlining operations and efficiency.
  • Maximising profit without compromising customer experience.
  • Weekly head of department meetings and training sessions, fostering a highly motivated and result focused team.
  • Full P&L management, ensuring profitability and sustainability.
  • Implementation of WHS managed practises and procedures. Implementing quality control measures, followed up by daily and weekly inspections.
  • Rebranding of the Junk restaurant business, set up processes and procedures to guarantee consistency across all aspects of the business.
  • Empowered managers and employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
  • Making calculated decisions based on data analysis, having the ability to make sound operational decisions in a fast paced environment.
  • Managed inventory and supply chain operations to achieve timely and accurate delivery of goods and services.

Owner/Operator

Solar & Aircon Clean AU
03.2020 - 01.2021
  • Stat up business mainly maintaining and cleaning solar systems across the Sunshine Coast.
  • Working with big solar retailers who were struggling to meet customer demands.
  • Managed day-to-day business operations.
  • Provided exceptional customer service, addressing issues promptly to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Group Manager

Green Zebra, Uptown Social & Circa Rooftop Bar
02.2018 - 03.2020
  • Recruitment and training of front and back of house staff for an existing restaurant, also for two new businesses opening on the Coast.
  • Manager and staff meeting / training sessions, performance evaluation and employee relations, ensuring a cohesive and highly performing workforce.
  • Coordinating functions, events and weddings, maximising the full income streams of an already busy a la carte restaurant.
  • Weekly forecasting for revenue, labour and cost of goods.
  • Consistently meeting KPI's for labour and COG's on a weekly basis.
  • Successfully launched and established two new venues, driving business growth.
  • Led branding and marketing initiatives, effectively promoting the venues and creating a strong brand presence in the market.
  • Implementation of WHS legislations

General Manager

Brightwater Hotel
11.2016 - 02.2018
  • Leading, developing and cultivating a team of seventy staff.
  • Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
  • Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
  • Implemented table service procedures, from counter service, increasing food and beverage revenue.
  • Consistently meeting KPI's for labour and COG's
  • Managing multiple departments, bottle shops, Functions and events, restaurant, gaming and TAB.

General Mnanager

Emirates Leisure Retail
04.2016 - 11.2016
  • Managed front and back of house teams in two busy venues located in Brisbane domestic terminal.
  • Recruitment, onboarding and training of front and back of house teams.
  • Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
  • Consistently met KPI's for labour and COG's
  • Created systems and process to ensure seamless ordering with reduced food and beverage wait times, resulting in improved customer experience and increased revenue.
  • Launched customer loyalty schemes, driving high GP items, repeat custom and increased revenue.

General Manager

Golden Beach Motel
09.2015 - 04.2016
  • 6 Month contract for a start up motel business.
  • Implement bookings systems
  • Process and procedures
  • WHS implementation
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Staff recruitment and training
  • Supply chain.

General Manager

Duporth Tavern
11.2014 - 09.2015
  • Tasked with rebranding the hotel, implementing a new F&B offer and redeveloping existing areas of the venue.
  • Consistently met KPI's for Labour and COG's.
  • Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
  • Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
  • Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
  • Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
  • Directed comprehensive sales efforts to exceed revenue targets consistently while maintaining customer satisfaction levels.
  • Drove the successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.

Owner/Operator

Victoria James Inns Ltd
10.2004 - 05.2014
  • Successfully owned and operated five gastro pubs across the Kent region in the UK
  • Demonstrated strong business acumen and leadership skills in managing multiple sites.
  • Identifying and investing in underachieving sites, implementing strategic change and improvement.
  • Led very successful rebranding initiatives, effectively repositioning the pubs ahead of the market.
  • Developed a heavy food lead a la carte restaurant scene within a social pub environment, creating a unique dining experience that separated us from our competitors.
  • Implemented effective advertising and marketing strategies.
  • Recruitment and training for front and back of house ensuring a very high level of service and customer satisfaction.
  • Menu development
  • Full management of P&L operations consistently achieving financial targets.
  • Implementing systems and control procedures ensuring smooth and efficient operations across all sites.
  • Incentivising Managers through yield bonuses, resulting in increasing bottom line company profits and staff retention.

Acquisition Manager

Scottish & Newcastle Retail
01.1998 - 09.2004
  • Achieved successful acquisitions by conducting thorough market research and identifying key targets. Evaluating market trends, competition and growth opportunities in the pub industry.
  • Optimized valuation models for target sites, providing accurate assessments for decision-making purposes.
  • Built strong relationships with potential acquisition targets, fostering trust and open communication throughout negotiations.
  • Conducted comprehensive due diligence investigations, ensuring thorough understanding of risks and benefits associated with each deal.
  • Presented detailed reports on acquisition opportunities to senior management, facilitating informed decisions on potential deals.
  • Monitored industry trends, staying informed on market developments and identifying new opportunities for growth through acquisitions.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills used to communicate with internal teams, stakeholders and sellers.
  • Completed monthly profit and loss performance reports based on market analysis and strong forecast modelling.

Food & Beverage Manager

Princess Cruises
06.1992 - 09.1997
  • Commenced my first contract as bartender on the Crown Princess out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (7 day Caribbean)
  • Managed a team of four bartenders and 8 stewards.
  • To the end of my second contract I was promoted to Assistant Bar Manager, Assisting the Bar manager run all aspects of the beverage on board. This included ordering, inventory, supply chain, logistics, stores, allocation, function planning and coordinating.
  • Maintaining a very high standard of WHS (USPH)
  • The Food and Beverage departments were combined across the fleet and subsequently I was promoted to Assistant F&B Manager towards the middle of my fourth contract.
  • My last contract I was promoted to F&B Manager.
  • In charge of all aspects F&B related, servicing 3600 passengers and 1200 crew members.
  • Maintaining the highest standards of food and beverage over two main dining rooms, an Italian Trattoria, steak house and lido buffet dining with seven bars and lounges.
  • Coordination and organisational expertise as well as exceptional communication skills were a must.

Trainee Hotel Manager

Claridges Hotel London
08.1988 - 03.1992
  • My objective was to learn how a five star plus hotel worked and how each department operated.
  • I started on the concierge desk, assisting the head concierge arrange almost anything the guests required.
  • Commis Chef waiter in the main restaurant, then I was moved to room service, where I was quickly promoted to Chef de rang on the second floor, looking after some of the world's elite.
  • In my spare time I would train under the Assistant Hotel Manager, Night Manager and General Manager.
  • Learned new materials, processes, and programs quickly.
  • Participated in on-the-job training, working closely with supervisors and coworkers and asking appropriate questions.
  • Attended training courses to build understanding of processes, techniques, and industry.
  • Supported departmental tasks to increase understanding of industry processes.

Education

Honours - Hotel Management

Savoy Group
London U.K
01.1992

BBA - Business

Open University
London U.K
09.1994

Skills

  • Operations Management
  • Staff Management
  • Business Forecasting
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Data Analysis
  • P&L Management
  • Human Resources
  • Decision-making capabilities
  • Business Development
  • Data Analytics
  • Business Planning
  • Motivational Leadership
  • Financial Management
  • Data Management

Timeline

Operations Manager

Junk and Liliana's Restaurants
01.2021 - Current

Owner/Operator

Solar & Aircon Clean AU
03.2020 - 01.2021

Group Manager

Green Zebra, Uptown Social & Circa Rooftop Bar
02.2018 - 03.2020

General Manager

Brightwater Hotel
11.2016 - 02.2018

General Mnanager

Emirates Leisure Retail
04.2016 - 11.2016

General Manager

Golden Beach Motel
09.2015 - 04.2016

General Manager

Duporth Tavern
11.2014 - 09.2015

Owner/Operator

Victoria James Inns Ltd
10.2004 - 05.2014

Acquisition Manager

Scottish & Newcastle Retail
01.1998 - 09.2004

Food & Beverage Manager

Princess Cruises
06.1992 - 09.1997

Trainee Hotel Manager

Claridges Hotel London
08.1988 - 03.1992

Honours - Hotel Management

Savoy Group

BBA - Business

Open University
Daren Hills