Hi, I’m
Mike Ripa di Meana
Al Dhannah, Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates
Almost everything worthwhile carries with it some sort of risk, whether it’s starting a new business, whether it’s leaving home, whether it’s getting married, or whether it’s flying into space.
Chris Hadfield
Summary
Focused Hospitality manager, with impressive track record in collaborative, cross-functional teamwork within high-pressure environments. Adept at project planning and managing multiple accounts at once. Dedicated to improving company sales goals and meeting business objectives. With strong history of leading high-performance teams to meet or exceed objectives. Dedicated and hardworking with internal drive to deliver excellence. Tactical team builder with strong background in training and team development.
Overview
21
years of professional experience
2
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Ola Brasil Al DhannahAl Dhannah, United Arab Emirates
Food and beverage manager
08.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Maximized company profits through rigorous analysis and control of both portioning and wastage.
- Recognized and formally acknowledged outstanding staff performance, boosting team morale and productivity.
- Led team to deliver outstanding hospitality operations.
- Delivered functions and events to required standards in collaboration with events coordinator.
- Sought out and implemented methods to improve service and team performance, boosting business sustainability with continuous enhancements.
- Developed menus with strict cost controls to maximise restaurant profits.
- Maintained outstanding hygiene levels for optimized customer safety and continued regulatory compliance.
- Recruited and trained high-performing team members to deliver faultless customer care.
- Liaised with chef on duty to provide seamless food service and communicated with head chef to provide feedback on same
- Operated and maintained security of Point of Sales (POS) system.
- Gave direction for correct storage and disposal of food in line with company policies and procedures.
- Reconciled POS data with receipts and cash on hand to enforce proper cash-handling and recordkeeping.
- Led by example in providing customers with attentive, professional restaurant service.
- Monitored and maintained stock levels for maximised efficiency and minimised waste.
- Controlled food and beverage inventory, strategically ordering supplies and anticipating consumer demands to prevent out-of-stock items.
- Resolved complaints calmly and professionally to achieve positive customer outcomes.
- Built loyal customer base by creating welcoming environment with top quality service.
- Identified and maximised upselling opportunities to increase sales and profits.
- Trained new joiners in food regulatory compliance and company standards by delivering on-the-job and mandatory training.
- Managed team of 32 staff members.
- Increased sales by 13% in first 3 months and continue to maintain a profit ratio of 25%
Doppio Zero Johannesburg, South Africa
Restaurant general manager
03.2022 - 04.2023
Job overview
- Delivered in-depth training to customer-facing staff, promoting strong service performance.
- Clearly and promptly communicated pertinent information to staff, maintaining knowledgeable service teams.
- Surveyed people in the local community to assess restaurant demand and implemented marketing strategies that led to 20% increase in repeat business by local guests.
- Interacted positively with customers, effectively promoting restaurant facilities and services.
Hogshead South AfricaJohannesburg, South Africa
Group operations manager
03.2017 - 11.2022
Job overview
- Developed, recommended and implemented strategies to improve employee work quality and speed.
- Led and coached team leaders to meet performance targets and deliver operational excellence.
- Analysed operations data to identify process gaps and successfully implement change.
- Led and managed administrative staff to maintain smooth daily operations.
- Planned revenue generation strategies designed for growth.
- Controlled resources by department or project and tracked use in MyMicros.
- Liaised with management to align daily operations with overarching priorities.
- Developed organisational policies for administrative oversight and internal controls.
- Reduced costs and improved operations by analyzing processes and customer feedback.
- Served as key corporate representative, liaising with various stakeholders in support of operational excellence.
- Analyzed and resolved complex resource management issues for optimized scheduling.
- Strategically scheduled and managed 250+ staff members, maintaining high-performing business operations.
- Established clear budgets and cost controls strategies to meet objectives.
- Oversaw facility maintenance and allocated needed resources to meet standards.
- Organised financial and operational data to help with yearly budgeting and planning.
- Analysed and resolved complex resource management issues for optimised scheduling.
- Coordinated hiring, recruitment and training strategies to build successful administrative team.
Hogshead South AfricaJohannesburg, South Africa
Restaurant general manager
11.2015 - 02.2017
Job overview
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Led by example in providing customers with attentive, professional restaurant service.
- Recognised and formally acknowledged outstanding staff performance, boosting team morale and productivity.
- Created team building initiatives to encourage upselling and meet revenue targets.
- Developed, implemented and communicated business plans to promote profitable food and beverage sales.
- Purchased required quantities of necessary restaurant items, including food, beverages, equipment and supplies.
- Protected brand image by ensuring interior restaurant presentation was exceptionally maintained.
- Recruited and trained high-performing team members to deliver faultless customer care.
- Strategically reviewed and planned restaurant staffing levels based on evolving service demands.
- Built loyal customer base by creating welcoming environment with top quality service.
Gastronomica MEMuscat, Oman
Country Operations Manager
04.2014 - 10.2015
Job overview
- Minimised discrepancies by effectively training employees on best practices, policies and procedures.
- Organised financial and operational data to help with yearly budgeting and planning.
- Handled negotiations with outside vendors and service agencies to meet group needs.
- Created classification systems to manage archives.
Hogshead South AfricaJohannesburg, South Africa
Restaurant general manager
08.2012 - 04.2014
Job overview
- Managed on-site evaluations, internal audits and customer surveys.
- Forecasted sales trends to plan team resourcing.
- Delivered services to customer locations within target timeframes.
- Applied positive customer service approach to increase satisfaction levels.
- Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.
- Designed digital and print materials to engage audiences.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
Hooters South AfricaJohannesburg, South Africa
Restaurant general manager
04.2010 - 02.2012
Job overview
- Delivered in-depth training to customer-facing staff, promoting strong service performance.
- Clearly and promptly communicated pertinent information to staff, maintaining knowledgeable service teams.
- Maintained smooth restaurant operations by coordinating and enforcing personnel policies and procedures in line with company standards.
- Analysed operations to improve restaurant efficiency and service levels.
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Recognised and formally acknowledged outstanding staff performance, boosting team morale and productivity.
- Monitored restaurant performance to identify and implement improvement initiatives.
- Developed, implemented and communicated business plans to promote profitable food and beverage sales.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
- Designed digital and print materials to engage audiences.
Fego CafeAscot, United Kingdom
Restaurant general manager
08.2007 - 12.2009
Job overview
- Clearly and promptly communicated pertinent information to staff, maintaining knowledgeable service teams.
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Recognised and formally acknowledged outstanding staff performance, boosting team morale and productivity.
- Planned staff rotas to meet customer demand whilst remaining under budget.
- Allocated resources to properly staff shifts and maintain adequate service levels across all restaurant areas.
- Developed menus with strict cost controls to maximise restaurant profits.
- Strategically reviewed and planned restaurant staffing levels based on evolving service demands.
- Built loyal customer base by creating welcoming environment with top quality service.
- Maintained outstanding hygiene levels for optimised customer safety and continued regulatory compliance.
Billy the BUMS cocktail barJohannesburg, South Africa
Restaurant general manager
03.2003 - 07.2007
Job overview
- Clearly and promptly communicated pertinent information to staff, maintaining knowledgeable service teams.
- Reviewed financial data in Micros, adjusting operational budgets to consistently maximise profitability.
- Maintained safe working and guest environments, reducing injury and incident risks.
- Effectively managed payroll and HR processes, including paperwork completion for new hires and terminations.
- Reconciled cash and credit card transactions to maintain accurate records.
- Maintained smooth restaurant operations by coordinating and enforcing personnel policies and procedures in line with company standards.
- Analysed operations to improve restaurant efficiency and service levels.
- Sourced products locally for improved cost-efficiency and sustainability.
- Recognised and formally acknowledged outstanding staff performance, boosting team morale and productivity.
- Grew restaurant profits through improved marketing and staff development initiatives.
- Monitored restaurant performance to identify and implement improvement initiatives.
- Purchased required quantities of necessary restaurant items, including food, beverages, equipment and supplies.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
Education
C.T.I (Computer training Institute)Pretoria, South Africa
Higher National Diploma from Computer Science
02.2001 - 02.2003
Skills
- Project budgeting
- Recipes and menu planning
- Performance evaluations
- Workflow planning
- Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
- Conflict resolution
- Cost controls
- Produce purchasing
- Process improvements
- F&B inventory management
- Customer complaint handling
- Food hygiene regulations
- Menu design and development
- Diverse beverage knowledge
- Problem-solving
- Marketing
- Drinks upselling
- Leadership
- Social media marketing
- Knowledge of Micros & MyMicros
- Quality Assurance
- Recruitment and hiring
- Programme development
- Customer-focused
- Public relations
- Communication skills
- Team building
Languages
English
Native
Italian
Intermediate
Afrikaans
Intermediate
Affiliations
- Golf
- Formula 1 Enthusiast
Awards
2011 - Best Casual Dinning restaurant award by RASA (Restaurant association of South Africa) - Hooters
2013 - Best Local Pub award by RASA (Restaurant association of South Africa) - Hogshead
2015 - Service excellence (Oman International Restaurant Awards) - Slider Station (Gastronomica ME)
2017,2019,2021 - Best local Pub award by RASA (Restaurant association of South Africa) - Hogshead
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Food and beverage manager
Ola Brasil Al Dhannah
08.2023 - Current
Restaurant general manager
Doppio Zero
03.2022 - 04.2023
Group operations manager
Hogshead South Africa
03.2017 - 11.2022
Restaurant general manager
Hogshead South Africa
11.2015 - 02.2017
Country Operations Manager
Gastronomica ME
04.2014 - 10.2015
Restaurant general manager
Hogshead South Africa
08.2012 - 04.2014
Restaurant general manager
Hooters South Africa
04.2010 - 02.2012
Restaurant general manager
Fego Cafe
08.2007 - 12.2009
Restaurant general manager
Billy the BUMS cocktail bar
03.2003 - 07.2007
C.T.I (Computer training Institute)
Higher National Diploma from Computer Science
02.2001 - 02.2003
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