Shawn Bruce
Gainesville
Summary
Highly motivated individual.
Professional kitchen management expert with comprehensive experience in leading culinary teams, ensuring high-quality food preparation, and maintaining kitchen efficiency. Strong focus on team collaboration, adaptable to changing needs, and dedicated to achieving operational excellence. Skilled in inventory management, staff training, and maintaining health and safety standards. Reliable, results-driven, and prepared to make significant impact in any culinary environment.
Results-driven hospitality professional prepared to lead front-of-house teams to excellence. Proven track record in enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency within high-paced environments. Emphasizes team collaboration and adaptability, bringing strong leadership and problem-solving skills.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kitchen Manager/FOH Manager
Outback Steakhouse
07.2023 - Current
- Streamlined kitchen workflows to enhance food preparation speed and improve overall service quality.
- Directed staff scheduling and training initiatives, fostering a motivated team focused on high standards.
- Cultivated relationships with vendors to secure quality ingredients while managing costs effectively.
- Implemented inventory management practices that minimized waste and optimized stock replenishment processes.
- Oversaw daily kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with health regulations and safety protocols consistently.
- Coordinated cross-functional communication between front-of-house and kitchen teams to improve service efficiency.
- Monitored food presentation standards, guaranteeing aesthetic consistency that aligns with brand expectations regularly.
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all health department regulations and guidelines.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen team and service areas for optimal guest experiences.
- Consistently met or exceeded local health department inspection requirements through diligent adherence to safety protocols and maintaining thorough documentation records.
- Contributed to a positive workplace culture by actively engaging with staff members, promoting open communication channels, and demonstrating support for ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Reviewed and analyzed kitchen performance to verify gaps and observe continuous improvement.
- Coordinated logistics and staffing for successful restaurant launch to enhance customer experience.
- Facilitated training and preparation of new staff for operations at three restaurant locations.
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Outback Steakhouse
07.2013 - 07.2023
Assistant Manager
Smash Burger
08.2011 - 06.2013
Pitmaster
Jim and Nicks
11.2008 - 08.2011
Education
High School Diploma -
South Forsyth High School
Cumming, GA06-2006
General Studies
Perimeter College
Atlanta, GASkills
- Full Service Kitchen experience handling preparation of all categories of foods
- Quick thinking skills and flexible in a kitchen environment Can be counted on to go the extra mile to improve customer service
- Scheduling
- Recipe adherence while utilizing kitchen equipment
- Cash handling
- Product management; inventory counting
- Managing my areas of responsibility assigned to achieve specific goals
- Time management
- Familiar with Ecolab, state and local requirements regarding food service
- Multitasking and organization
Accomplishments
- Down Under Grill Off competition among peers. Won Georgia's Regional "Mighty Southeast Grill Master" title.
- Eagle Scout NE GA Sweetwater District, Troop 549, July 2006.
- Certified Training Lead for kitchen equipment enhancement, Wombat Rollout 2022.
- Restaurant Opening Coordinator for kitchen operations.
- Regional Trainer for company wide initiatives.
- Leading Off-Site catering events.
Certification
ServeSafe Food Manager Certified
Timeline
Kitchen Manager/FOH Manager
Outback Steakhouse
07.2023 - Current
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Outback Steakhouse
07.2013 - 07.2023
Assistant Manager
Smash Burger
08.2011 - 06.2013
Pitmaster
Jim and Nicks
11.2008 - 08.2011
High School Diploma -
South Forsyth High School
General Studies
Perimeter College