Michael Rajapakse
1 Jade Court , Narre Warren,Victoria
Summary
Restaurant Manager with 28 years of experience facilitating high-traffic restaurant environment operations. Talented at managing large, diverse teams of culinary and service personnel. Customer-driven and highly coordinated managerial staff with collaborative mindset and team orientation. Comfortable taking responsibility for everything from back-office operations to dining room performance.
I believe in: Inspiring customers with a passionate and caring attitude. Being open, Honest and Supportive in all that I do to bring about positivity. Taking responsibility. Being Initiative, Proactive and Persistent. Paying attention to details, Effectiveness in problem solving and decision making.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Manager
The Main Cafe Bar & Restaurant
Berwick, Victoria
02.2023 - Current
- Developed strategies for improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Resolved customer complaints in a professional manner to maintain positive relationships with guests.
- Maintained detailed records of sales transactions and daily shift reports.
- Ordered supplies from vendors as needed while staying within budget guidelines.
- Inspected dining room area regularly for cleanliness and adherence to safety standards.
- Provided exceptional customer service by anticipating guest needs before they arise.
- Communicated well and used strong interpersonal skills to establish positive relationships with guests and employees.
- Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Scheduled and directed staff in daily work assignments to maximize productivity.
- Resolved and investigated complaints regarding service, food quality and accommodations.
Restaurant Manager
Ristorante Via Torino Global Authentic Cuisines (PVT) LTD
Colombo 08
04.2022 - 01.2024
- Handling of entire Food and beverage operations and kitchen department operations to maintain the Brand standards
- Coordinating and handling Events, Functions and Promotions to promote the Restaurant
- Training of staff on food and beverage operations, service-oriented skills and customer care training
- Execution and archiving sales targets and handling monthly inventory.
Outlet Store Manager
Café Nero (Al Tayer Group)
Abu Dhabi, UAE
11.2015 - 06.2020
- Pre-opening of stores and handling all food & beverage operations
- Training and developing team members, preparing for marketing campaigns and implementing sales strategies
- Adhering to company policies, procedures and coordinating Brand, Financial, and Food hygiene audits to ensure the safety of the Brand standards
- Achieving Sales budgets, conducting appraisers of team members, handling customer complaints, monitoring inventories and maintaining service standards.
Manager Operations
Kaema Sutra Restaurant
Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo
11.2014 - 06.2015
- Was entirely responsible for the full set up of the restaurant from its inception to ensure that all staff recruitments, designations, packages, government permits, equipment's, maintenance and required suppliers are in order to assure a timely opening & smooth operation thereafter
- Coordinating Brand & Financial audits to continuously track the financial performance of the business & to report discrepancies in conjunction with a corrective action plan
- Ensure that all reporting & control procedures in operations, customer service, Quality of production, Hygiene & cleanliness standards, Maintenance & general administrations are completed & in place according to company's policy & operation Manuel
- Making sure financial goals are achieved by sales and marketing strategies and monitoring operational costs
- Enforce & support all training & Development plans for all staff under my supervision as per Company's policy.
Assistant Store Manager
Café Nero (Al Tayer Group)
Abu Dhabi, UAE
- 11.2013
- Maintain service standards, handling food & beverage operations with a positive attitude by driving each team member to a high standard of customer service at all times
- Store operations in managing and assisting the Store Manager in he's absence to meet the brand standards of the company
- Responsible for all administration documentations, Corresponding with E- mails, Commercial reports, Brand audits and marketing Campaigns by training and educating team members
- Controlling stocks, minimizing wastages, increasing profits through unique sales techniques by surveying surrounding competitors, Handling inventory and Training & Development of Team members
- Ability to work as One Team, Flexible with a positive attitude and willingness to achieve goals, sales targets and share success together as a Team player.
Senior Waiter / Senior Restaurant Captain
Regina Margherita
Colombo 05
06.2008 - 01.2010
Restaurant Captain
The Sizzle
Colombo 03
06.2007 - 01.2008
Barista / Supervisor
Costa Coffee (Franchises Maritime & Mercantile LLC)
Dubai, UAE
Trainee Waiter / Waiter / Senior waiter/ Senior Captain
Alcatras Restaurant
Dehiwala
Education
GCE Ordinary Level -
St. Anthoneys College
Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka01-1997
Skills
- Ability to create marketing strategies
- Good understanding on P & L
- Handling and monitoring inventory/managing food cost margins
- Trained Coffee Maestro
- Coaching for excellence and mentoring staff
- Training and development of team members
- Creating weekly and monthly commercial reports
- Excellent customer service
- Communication and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge in food and beverage with multiple cuisines, coffee, and retail operations
- Leadership skills
- Capacity to work under pressure
- Flexible and able to perform with a positive attitude
- Executing budgets and monthly targets
- Adhering to company policies and procedures
Certifications
- ILM Certificate of Unit credit towards level 2 Award in Leadership & Team Skill and was successful in following 3 modules.
- Level 2 Developing Yourself as Team Leader
- Level 2 Improving Performance of Work Team
- Level 2 Developing the Work Team
- City & Guilds Accredited Training - Programme in Operational Retail Skills and was successful in following 8 modules.
- Sales & Commerciality
- Performance Management
- Business Writing
- Customer Service
- Self-awareness & First impressions
- Mystery shop management
- Coaching for excellence
Personal Information
- Passport Number: N7841713
- Date of Birth: 03/11/80
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Sri Lankan
- Marital Status: Married
- Religion: Christian
References
- Mrs. Sev Aoun, Managing Director, The Main Cafe Bar & Restaurant, Berwick, VIC 3806. Australia.
+61 416 022 663 | hjsev@tpg.com.au
- Mr Ramon Morales, Area Manager, Café Nero, Al Tayer Group, Dubai, UAE.
+971 5655 38008 | +971 4201 1111
Timeline
Restaurant Manager
The Main Cafe Bar & Restaurant
02.2023 - Current
Restaurant Manager
Ristorante Via Torino Global Authentic Cuisines (PVT) LTD
04.2022 - 01.2024
Outlet Store Manager
Café Nero (Al Tayer Group)
11.2015 - 06.2020
Manager Operations
Kaema Sutra Restaurant
11.2014 - 06.2015
Senior Waiter / Senior Restaurant Captain
Regina Margherita
06.2008 - 01.2010
Restaurant Captain
The Sizzle
06.2007 - 01.2008
Assistant Store Manager
Café Nero (Al Tayer Group)
- 11.2013
Barista / Supervisor
Costa Coffee (Franchises Maritime & Mercantile LLC)
Trainee Waiter / Waiter / Senior waiter/ Senior Captain
Alcatras Restaurant
GCE Ordinary Level -
St. Anthoneys College
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