Paul St John

A highly professional, dependable and standards-driven hospitality and leisure professional with extensive experience across hotel, restaurant, spa, food and beverage, retail and warehouse environments. Demonstrates a strong record of career progression, including two years in restaurant management with responsibility for staff training, rotas, wages, recruitment, workplace safety, food hygiene and daily financial procedures. Confident in delivering exceptional customer service, coordinating front-of-house and kitchen operations, managing spa reception duties and maintaining clean, safe and welcoming facilities.

Trained in first aid, emergency response, health and safety, food safety, GDPR, licensing and equality and diversity. A disciplined and adaptable team member who leads by example, performs effectively under pressure and takes pride in completing every responsibility to the highest possible standard. Now seeking a position in which strong leadership, operational knowledge and commitment to service excellence can contribute to a professional and ambitious organisation.

Spa Assistant at Crabwall Manor Hotel and Spa (2024-07 – 2026-08)

Working at Legacy Hotels' Crabwall Manor Hotel & Spa gave me valuable experience within the leisure and hospitality industry. I received training in plant-room operations, pool emergency response, First Aid at Work (Level 3) and the use of automated external defibrillators (Level 2). This role strengthened my customer-service, communication, safety-awareness, organisation and commercial-cleaning skills.

• Managed the spa reception desk, processing spa-package bookings, responding to emails and telephone enquiries, and serving refreshments
• Conducted routine pool and spa water-quality tests
• Maintained high standards of cleanliness throughout the facilities, including the changing rooms, poolside area, gym and reception

Conference & Events/Restaurant Manager at Crabwall Manor Hotel and Spa (2024-01 – 2024-06)

Managed the successful delivery of conferences, corporate functions, birthday celebrations, celebrations of life and weddings, while simultaneously overseeing the daily operations of Jacobs Restaurant. This dual-management position required a highly adaptable and organised approach to ensure both departments operated efficiently and consistently delivered excellent guest experiences. Successfully balancing two demanding departments strengthened my leadership, decision-making and organisational capabilities.

The position further developed my ability to prioritise competing responsibilities, lead diverse teams and maintain exceptional operational and service standards within a fast-paced hotel environment.

• Prepared and managed separate staff rotas for the Conference and Events team and the restaurant
• Monitored stock levels, trained and developed employees, conducted interviews and supported recruitment decisions
• Completed end-of-day cash reconciliation
• Undertook Duty Manager responsibilities, including fire-safety inspections, coordinating with other hotel departments, resolving operational issues and arranging management and staff cover when required

Food and Beverage Assistant at Valor Hospitality (2022 – 2024)

During my two years with Valor Hospitality at Crowne Plaza Chester, I worked as a Food and Beverage Assistant, delivering attentive and professional service within a busy hotel environment. I developed strong customer-service skills and gained experience in bar operations, including the preparation and service of wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks, cocktails and champagne. I also completed comprehensive MAPAL hospitality training covering health and safety, fire safety, equality and diversity, disability awareness, first aid at work, pool emergency response, GDPR, food safety, electrical safety, crisis management and licensing regulations.

This training strengthened my knowledge, professionalism and ability to provide a safe, efficient and consistently high standard of service.

Warehouse Assistant at Zing Asia (2021 – 2023)

Zing Asia Oriental Express — Warehouse Assistant. In my role as a Warehouse Assistant, I supported daily warehouse and retail operations by providing customer service, replenishing stock and maintaining organised product displays. This role strengthened my organisational, stock-control, data-entry and customer-service skills.

• Created new product records, pricing and labelling stock, and assigned scannable warehouse locations
• Completed administrative duties, including recording invoice information on pricing sheets and internal databases
• Processed incoming deliveries and scanned and labelled outgoing orders for collection by third-party couriers

Restaurant Manager at HONG KONG EXPRESS (2016-09 – 2020-11)

Hong Kong Express Restaurant — Restaurant Manager. During my four years at Hong Kong Express Restaurant, I progressed from Waiter to Kitchen Assistant before being promoted to Restaurant Manager, a position I held for two years. This progression gave me extensive experience across front-of-house service, kitchen operations and restaurant management.

This role developed my leadership, communication, organisation and problem-solving abilities, as well as my capacity to manage a busy restaurant effectively.

• Served customers, took orders, and provided food and beverages
• Trained new front-of-house employees
• Trained chefs and kitchen porters while supporting food preparation, cooking, cleaning and the safe handling of meat and vegetables
• Prepared monthly staff rotas, managed wages and tips, supported recruitment and handled staff performance matters
• Oversaw health and safety procedures, maintained food-hygiene standards
• Completed end-of-day cashing-up and till reconciliation

Shop Assistant at Subway (2014 – 2015)

Provided friendly and efficient customer service while preparing made-to-order sandwiches in line with customer requirements. Responsibilities also included baking a variety of breads and desserts, maintaining food-quality standards and keeping work areas clean and organised.

Shop Assistant at Sam's Chicken (2015 – 2017)

Prepared salads, chicken, seasonings and a variety of customer orders, including chicken buckets, burger meals and wraps. Worked efficiently within a fast-paced takeaway environment while following food-hygiene procedures and completing a range of cleaning duties to maintain a safe and presentable workplace.

Shop Assistant at Coffee Pot (2017 – 2018)

Delivered friendly and attentive customer service, helping to create a welcoming, relaxed and family-oriented atmosphere. Responsibilities included operating the till, preparing teas and coffees, assisting with food preparation and completing cleaning duties to maintain a clean and inviting environment.

Foundation degree in Public and Military Service – Military Preparation College (2014-06 – 2018-09)