Joana Simões
Cambridge,Cambridgeshire
Summary
Experienced leader in team management and staff development, specialising in workflow optimisation and strategic planning. Proven track record in fostering productive work environments that drive business growth. Currently managing a restaurant with a team of 15, overseeing all general management responsibilities after a leadership transition.
Overview
1
1
Language
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Kitchen Team Leader
Itsu
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
07.2024 - 08.2026
- Demonstrated excellent leadership skills for a cohesive team performance.
- Executed high-quality food preparation to increase customer satisfaction.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient work schedules.
- Trained new staff members for improved kitchen operations.
- Enforced cleanliness standards, maintained hygienic kitchen conditions.
- Ensured adherence to food safety standards by regular monitoring and training.
- Oversaw safe storage practices and compliance with Food Safety Act; accurately completing relevant documentation.
- Ensured fresh produce was correctly stored in temperature-controlled environments to mitigate health and safety risks.
- Implemented waste reduction strategies with careful portion control and storage procedures.
- Balanced staffing needs with budget constraints to optimise labour costs.
- Coordinated with suppliers to ensure consistent supply of fresh products and timely delivery of ingredients.
- Streamlined order processing with meticulous attention to detail.
- Handled customer complaints for enhanced dining experience.
- Promoted continuous learning culture through regular skill-based workshops for team development.
- Established positive working environment to boost employee morale.
- Delegated daily tasks and held team accountable for task completion.
- Conducted daily inventory checks with detailed record keeping.
- Conducted weekly inventories to maintain optimal stock levels for kitchen.
- Met kitchen hygiene standards by preparing, implementing and monitoring routine cleaning schedules.
- Monitored equipment maintenance, minimised downtime during peak hours.
- Received a silver butterfly (an Itsu award) in recognition of my customer service.
- Received a silver butterfly (an Itsu award) in recognition of my customer service.
Assistant Manager
Tortilla
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
12.2020 - 02.2025
- Delivered exceptional service by greeting and serving customers in a timely, friendly manner.
- Cultivated a welcoming atmosphere to enhance guest experiences and encourage longer visits.
- Delivered friendly, courteous service, resulting in improved customer satisfaction ratings.
- Addressed guest complaints promptly and professionally, ensuring management was informed of key issues.
- Enforced social distancing policies to maximise the safety of staff and customers.
- Trained new wait staff to deliver quality service and uphold brand standards.
- Served meals and drinks with professionalism and skill, maintaining high presentation and quality standards.
- Provided efficient food and drinks service for high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Took food and beverage orders using the POS system or order slips to maintain accuracy.
- Kept guest tables neat and tidy by regularly clearing away dirty dishes and used glasses and wiping down surfaces.
- Warmly greeted guests upon arrival to create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Discussed menu items and dietary concerns, noted special requests and suggested additional items to meet upsell goals.
- Informed kitchen staff regarding orders and requirements.
- Quickly and clearly communicated dining orders to kitchen staff, directing attention to special requests.
- Provided the menu and offered recommendations to complement the dining experience.
- Cleaned, sanitised and organised food storage racks and bins, maintaining exceptional hygiene standards.
- Ensured bar inventory was consistently stocked to meet customer demands.
- Arranged tables and set up linens and silverware in preparation for guests.
Waitress
Chopstix Noodle Bar
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
06.2019 - 12.2020
- Delivered exceptional service by greeting and serving customers in a timely, friendly manner.
- Served meals and drinks with professionalism and skill, maintaining high presentation and quality standards.
- Delivered friendly, courteous service that contributed to high customer satisfaction ratings.
- Engaged with guests on menu items and dietary concerns, noting special requests and recommending additional items to drive upsell opportunities.
- Quickly and clearly communicated dining orders to kitchen staff, directing attention to special requests.
- Communicated orders and specifications to kitchen staff to ensure timely preparation.
- Provided menu and offered recommendations to complement dining experience.
- Took food and beverage orders using POS system or order slips to maintain accuracy.
- Provided efficient food and drinks service for high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Kept guest tables neat and tidy by regularly clearing away dirty dishes and used glasses and wiping down surfaces.
- Warmly greeted guests upon arrival to create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Created friendly, welcoming a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that enhanced guest experiences and encouraged longer visits.
- Resolved guest complaints promptly and professionally, notifying restaurant management of concerns.
- Enforced social distancing policies to maximise safety of staff and customers.
- Trained new wait staff to deliver quality service and uphold brand standards.
- Arranged tables and set up linens and silverware in preparation for guests.
- Cleaned, sanitised and organised food storage racks and bins, maintaining exceptional hygiene standards.
- Regularly checked bar inventory and replenished items to maintain service standards.
Pot Washer
Pizza Express
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
11.2018 - 05.2019
- Maintained clean and safe environment, adhering to sanitation and safety guidelines.
- Maintained dishwashing equipment to high standards, enabling thorough, proper crockery cleaning.
- Swept and mopped kitchen during and after shifts to maintain cleanliness.
- Cleaned walls and extractor fans, ensuring hygienic food preparation areas.
- Assisted kitchen staff during peak times, performing various tasks to support current service demands.
- Established effective cleaning routines, resulting in critical time savings.
- Documented equipment faults and damages, facilitating prompt repairs.
- Inspected freezers, refrigerators, and appliances for proper functionality during routine checks.
- Cut, peeled and sliced ingredients to help chef prepare meals.
Seller
MEO
Lisbon
09.2017 - 09.2018
- Identified and targeted potential customers, facilitating easy buying processes tailored to specific needs.
- Engaged customers with friendly greetings and offered assistance with selecting merchandise, finding accessories and completing purchases.
- Maximised sales revenue through strategic upselling and cross-selling of associated products.
- Promoted store events and special offers, events and new product launches effectively, growing customer bases and revenue opportunities.
- Addressed customer concerns with empathy and complaints with care, delivering positive outcomes for continued customer loyalty.
- Fostered positive relationships with customers, enhancing loyalty and retention.
- Applied various sales techniques to steadily expand customer bases.
- Strengthened existing client relationships to maintain customer loyalty.
- Established positive relationships with new or prospective clients using great customer service.
- Demonstrated product features and benefits, engaging customers with a customer-focused sales pitch.
- Used active listening and relationship-building techniques to assess customer needs and deliver viable solutions.
- Managed customer product and service queries, resolving effectively and efficiently.
- Processed product returns, ensuring items were clean and resalable.
- Generated initiatives to increase opportunities for customer interaction and build lasting rapport.
- Negotiated sales details with prospective clients to secure lucrative deals.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge01-2022
Skills
- Customer service
- Team building
- Equipment maintenance
- Inventory management
- Food safety compliance
- Leadership development
- Order processing
- Staff training
- Conflict resolution
- Safety regulations
- Upselling techniques
- Time management
- Performance evaluation
- Leadership skills
- Excellent communication
- Customer relations
- Staff mentoring
- Task prioritisation
- Performance monitoring
- Staff scheduling
- Report generation
- Outstanding customer service
- Quality control procedures
- Kitchen performance metrics
- Cost management strategies
- Sales analytics
- Staff onboarding processes
- Invoicing
- Food production tracking
- Supply chain coordination
- HR policies
Languages
English
Advanced
C1
Timeline
Kitchen Team Leader
Itsu
07.2024 - 08.2026
Assistant Manager
Tortilla
12.2020 - 02.2025
Waitress
Chopstix Noodle Bar
06.2019 - 12.2020
Pot Washer
Pizza Express
11.2018 - 05.2019
Seller
MEO
09.2017 - 09.2018
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
Anglia Ruskin University