Lauren O'Neill

Experience

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  Beer and Food Management

  Nov 2012 - Aug 2014

  Beer Ambassador and Educator

  * Developed and executed all beer training initiatives for Mohawk Bend, Tony's Darts Away, and the Pub at Golden Road Brewing, including new hire orientation and ongoing bi-monthly trainings * Managed and curated Mohawk Bend's 70 tap California craft beer program and Tony's Darts Away's 38 tap California craft beer program* Selected and managed the breweries for Mohawk Bend's monthly Out-of-State Brewery program* Planned and executed all beer events for Mohawk Bend and Tony's Darts Away, including flight nights and beer pairing dinners* Maintained beer cost in line with budget for both Mohawk Bend and Tony's Darts Away* Oversaw all repairs and maintenance of the draught systems for both Mohawk Bend and Tony's Darts Away* Participated in monthly Profit & Loss reviews with management team and ownership* Acted as Mohawk Bend's resident Beer Sommelier, instilling beer knowledge, interest, and appreciation among customers Show less

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  Mohawk Bend

  Aug 2014 - Nov 2015

  Beer Director & Floor Manager

  * Managed and curated Mohawk Bend's rotating 70 tap California craft beer program. * Controlled every aspect of the beer program from ordering, to delivery receipt, to tap rotation, to cold box management and cost* Planned and executed all craft beer events and programs, including the Los Angeles IPA Festival, the Meeting of the Guilds for LA Beer Week, Summer of Sours, and educational beer tasting seminars for guests * Lead and infused beer education for the restaurant staff, including new hire beer training and orientation and ongoing bi-monthly training initiatives, which focused on a range of topics from sensory perception, to the history and characteristics behind specific beer styles, to how to engage customers in genuine conversations about beer * Maintained beer cost in line with budget* Oversaw all repairs and maintenance of the draught system* Managed the FOH scheduling for a team of 50* Reviewed and submitted payroll data for processing* Managed weekly CTUIT financial reporting* Participated in monthly Profit & Loss reviews with management and ownership Show less

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  TONY'S DARTS AWAY, LLC

  Nov 2015 - May 2017

  General Manager

  * Responsible for day-to-day successful functioning of all business operations from ensuring guest satisfaction to operational order and optimization of profits. * Oversaw and managed a team of 25 direct reports* Developed employees by providing ongoing feedback, establishing and enforcing performance expectations, and conducting annual performance reviews* Managed all hiring, on-boarding, termination, and HR-related matters* Monitored labor cost and maximized bar and beverage cost control through training, monitoring, inventory controls and pricing structure * Lead monthly Profit & Loss reviews for ownership and management team* Resolved all repair and maintenance concerns and issues* Curated and managed rotating 38 tap California craft beer and wine program * Coordinated and executed weekly beer events and annual events such as our Vegan Chili Cook Off Show less

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  Bluebird Brasserie

  Jun 2017 - Dec 2018

  General Manager & Opening Operator

  I managed the entire process of opening Bluebird Brasserie, a Belgian-inspired brewery and restaurant in the heart of Sherman Oaks. My scope of work included the points below. In addition to Bluebird, I assisted Artisanal Brewers Collective in staff recruiting for multiple other brewpub openings during this time period, including The Stalking Horse, 6th and La Brea, The Bell Marker, Broxton, and the Ojai Pub. *Worked directly with the general contractor and restaurant designer to ensure proper execution of the architectural renderings according to our opening timeline*Sourced, recruited, staffed and onboarded the entire restaurant staff for BOH, FOH and management*Created the service model and original training material tailored to Bluebird's unique concept, and lead my management team to help execute the intensive 30 day pre-opening training program for both FOH and BOH*Sourced and coordinated the delivery and setup of all necessary restaurant supplies prior to opening*Planned and executed multiple pre-opening friends and family services to troubleshoot operations, and made necessary improvements to ensure opening operational excellence *Managed the day to day business after opening, executing the highest level of guest service and working with my team to build a community of regular clientele*Curated our rotating beer list and worked closely with our award-winning brew team to create a unique beer program*Owned the P&L and adhered to budgets, through close monitoring of labor, costing and waste*Created marketing initiatives to increase sales, such as the monthly Brew it Forward program, in which we brewed collaboration beers with various regulars, staff, and local non-profits*Worked with our culinary team to regularly review dishes and make necessary changes to our menu *Created ongoing training materials for new hires and product, ensuring proper staffing levels*Managed all HR processes, including hiring, onboarding, and terminations Show less

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  The Stalking Horse Brewery And Freehouse

  Dec 2018 - May 2019

  General Manager

  The Stalking Horse Brewery and Freehouse is a British-inspired brewpub in Rancho Park that embraces all things soccer and a good pint of bitter. As the General Manager, I ran the day to day business, including all of the below responsibilities: *Owned the P&L and adhered to budgets, through close monitoring of labor, costing and waste*Drove service standards and guest experience through hands-on leadership*Created and executed marketing initiatives to increase sales, such as weekly Game of Thrones viewing parties, LAFC and World Cup watch parties*Worked with our culinary team to regularly review dishes and make necessary changes to our menu *Created ongoing training materials for new hires and product, ensuring proper staffing levels*Managed all HR processes, including hiring, onboarding, workers comp and terminations- ensured proper staffing levels Show less

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  Vervet Canned Cocktails

  Jun 2019 - Jan 2020

  Chief Sales Officer

  Vervet is a new canned cocktail company based in the heart of Los Angeles. Our recipes are bartender-developed and made in small batches in Ventura. We do modern riffs off of classic cocktails that go beyond what you find in the spiked seltzers or simple highballs that dominate the canned drink space. All are modern craft, sparkling, spirits based, and 8% ABV in 12oz sleek cans. We don't use any artificial coloring or flavors in our products. We also make all of our own bitters, spirits, and use only fresh and dried ingredients. The recipes are inspired by the craft cocktail revolution, the culture of LA and California’s agriculture. With Vervet being a start-up, I'm building our account list from the ground up as a brand ambassador, through hosting tastings, building relationships and developing specific sales strategies for different markets. I also manage distribution. Show less

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  Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions

  Jan 2020 - now

  Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS), the leading Southern California based Hospitality Recruitment and Placement firm, has established relationships with and represents a broad range of clients, including the most acclaimed independent fine dining restaurants in the U.S., celebrity chef restaurant groups, casual restaurant companies, luxury hotels, country clubs and distinguished private chef clients.BMRS has successfully placed the finest Candidates in a wide range of Front and Back of the House Managerial positions, including R&D, Corporate, Executive, Sous and Pastry Chefs, Food and Beverage Directors, General Managers, Directors of Catering, Event Coordinators, Sommeliers, Maitre D’s and Restaurant Managers.BMRS Clients and Candidates include Food and Wine Magazine Best New Chefs, James Beard Award winners and Michelin Stared restaurants. Show less

  • Director of Management Recruitment

    Jan 2022 - now

  • Management Recruiter

    Jan 2020 - Dec 2021