Gabrielle Kovach

Restaurant Manager with 10 years of experience leading high-volume dining teams and improving operational performance. Drove a 20% revenue increase through targeted marketing and cut waste via inventory controls and portion standards, while strengthening staff training and scheduling to boost coverage and service. Seeks to apply operational discipline and team development to elevate guest satisfaction and profitability.

Restaurant Manager at Ihop (2020-03 – 2025-03)

Directed daily operations of a high-volume restaurant, ensuring exceptional customer service and efficient workflow.

• Implemented strategic marketing initiatives that increased restaurant revenue by 20% within one year.
• Managed and trained a diverse team of 30+ staff members, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Reduced food waste by implementing portion-control checklists and weekly inventory audits, lowering spoilage.
• Revamped supplier ordering cadence using POS sales reports to keep stock levels aligned with demand.
• Negotiated new vendor terms and secured lower food costs while maintaining ingredient quality standards.
• Designed a shift-swapping system that balanced labor coverage and cut unscheduled absences for servers.
• Built weekly sales and labor variance reports in Excel to identify underperforming menu items.
• Coached line cooks on menu prep techniques and reduced ticket times during dinner rushes.
• Implemented cash-reconciliation checklist for night closers, eliminating end-of-day cash discrepancies.

Customer Service Manager at Wa-Mart (2009-01 – 2012-12)

Ran the front line customer service refund returns complaints layaway redirecting calls given breaks, counting tills safe drops.

• Led daily shift huddles to assign tasks and reduced cashier errors during peak hours.
• Implemented cash-handling checklist for closing tills, eliminating reconciliation discrepancies.
• Trained new hires on POS operations and refund policies, shortening ramp-up time for associates.
• Reorganized backroom inventory layout and updated counts to speed stock replenishment cycles.
• Produced weekly sales and returns reports using store data to identify declining product categories.
• Mediated customer escalations with clear refund and replacement options, recovering repeat business.
• Created shift schedule that balanced coverage and reduced overtime while maintaining service levels.

CNC Program at Amtrak Inc (2013-01 – 2016-12)

Brand programmed, CNC and milling machine machines to make car parts to make lawnmower, parts and various machinery.

• Validated CAD models and adjusted toolpaths in Mastercam to reduce cutting time on complex parts.
• Set up fixtures and calibrated CNC machines, achieving repeatable part accuracy across multi-shift production.
• Selected cutting tools and optimized feeds and speeds to extend tool life and stabilize surface finish.
• Inspected finished parts with micrometers and CMM, rejecting out-of-tolerance pieces before assembly.
• Documented setup sheets and communicated process changes to machinists to standardize shop procedures.
• Programmed Haas and Fanuc CNC mills using G-code to produce precision lawnmower components meeting tolerances.
• Trained junior operators on safe machine operation, G-code basics, and quality checkpoints during production.

Manager at Smithfield Bbq (2025-03 – 2026-06)

• Conducted food-safety inspections and corrected sanitation issues to maintain compliance with health codes.
• Implemented cash reconciliation procedures that reduced end-of-shift discrepancies and shortened closing time.
• Monitored inventory levels and adjusted par settings to cut ingredient shortages and avoid menu outages.
• Coached servers on upselling techniques and menu knowledge to increase average check values on weekends.
• Developed a weekend shift rotation that balanced labor costs while maintaining cover during peak dinner hours.
• Managed daily shift operations at a busy smokehouse, scheduling staff and resolving conflicts promptly.
• Trained front-of-house staff on POS and customer-service protocols, improving order accuracy during rushes.
• Coached new hires on POS operations and cash handling procedures, reducing register errors during shifts.
• Built weekly labor forecast using historical covers and sales patterns to control overtime costs.

High school diploma – Penn Foster High School (2014-01 – 2015-07)

Business Management – Stratton Stayer University (2026-07)