Asta Vertinskaitė

Results-driven Operations Leader with 10+ years of experience in multi-site hospitality, specialising in scaling businesses, opening new concepts, and driving operational excellence. Proven track record in increasing revenue, reducing costs, and building high-performing teams across diverse environments - from independent cafés to international projects. Experienced in launching and optimising hospitality concepts from the ground up, including retail café integrations and airport lounge operations across Europe.

Passionate about specialty coffee, commercial growth, and delivering best-in-class customer experiences through strong leadership and structured operational systems.

Operations Director (Part-Time) at Saphi Coffee (2025-05 – Present)

Led the end-to-end setup and ongoing operations of an independent coffee business from launch through growth phase.

• Managed all day-to-day operations including staffing, training, compliance, and supplier management
• Recruited and trained the full team, establishing service standards and operational procedures
• Ensured full compliance with health & safety and food safety regulations, achieving a 5-star EHO rating
• Sourced coffee, equipment, and bakery suppliers to align with brand and margin targets
• Grew weekly revenue from £7,000 to £20,000 through operational improvements and commercial strategy
• Implemented systems and workflows to support scalability and long-term business sustainability

Hospitality Operations Consultant at Freelance (2025-05 – Present)

Delivered consulting support across multiple high-profile hospitality and retail projects.

• Supported the launch of café concepts within flagship retail environments, including Represent Clothing (London) and Dr. Martens
• Advised on operational setup including workflow design, equipment sourcing, supplier partnerships, and staff training
• Collaborated with Swissport on the rollout of Aspire Airport Lounges across Europe
• Led sourcing of coffee, equipment, and suppliers across multiple international markets
• Provided strategic guidance on customer experience, operational efficiency, and brand alignment

Operations Manager at Redemption Roasters (2021-09 – 2025-04)

• Oversaw operational activities across 10 locations, coordinating with 10 general managers and supporting a team of 70+ employees to ensure efficient daily operations
• Managed procurement, stock control, and supply chain activities, ensuring optimal product quality and profitability across all sites
• Developed and implemented cost-cutting measures that saved £20,000/month across all operational areas
• Increased sales by 15% by developing and delivering training programs for managers, optimizing store displays, and tailoring food and retail offerings to customer demand
• Led the opening of 3 new coffee shops in 4 months, ensuring new sites met brand standards and operations ran efficiently from day one
• Worked closely with the HR team to implement new policies and manager development programs
• Established and tracked KPIs to evaluate team performance and identify areas for improvement, leading to improved efficiency and productivity
• Worked alongside Marketing and Roastery teams to create seasonal offers and promote new products, ensuring alignment with company brand standards
• Implemented and supported back-office systems (Lightspeed POS, MarketMan, Tenzo, and FoodAlert) to ensure operational effectiveness
• Collaborated with architects and project managers during new site openings
• Organized barista competitions and cupping events to drive team engagement and brand development
• Partnered with the Impact team to implement training programs for ex-offenders and vulnerable people, offering mentorship and training opportunities for social reintegration

Store Manager at Sacred Café (2017-10 – 2020-10)

• Managed day-to-day operations, ensuring high standards of service, hygiene, and health & safety compliance
• Successfully increased store sales through strategic marketing initiatives and consistent product quality
• Trained and motivated a team of 15 employees, implementing processes to improve productivity and customer satisfaction

Manager / Team Leader at Various Bars and Restaurants (2008-09 – 2015-11)

• Managed operations in multiple venues, including events and private functions, guest satisfaction
• Led teams of up to 20 staff members, focusing on high-quality service, training, and professional development
• Developed and executed event management strategies for upscale events, such as weddings, business consistently ensuring meetings, and VIP parties