Lerin Dirks

Experience

• 

  Levy Restaurants

  Feb 2011 - Feb 2013

  Catering Manager

  - Created daily operational and logistical action plans for show exceeding $1 million in revenue.- Coordinated with multiple food and beverage departments, convention services and engineering teams to execute on time and adhere to standards.- Managed 150+ employees at a time on events ranging from 10 - 8,000 attendees and clearly communicated service plans.- Compiled daily equipment pull sheets with derivation from event orders and clients to successfully execute services.

• 

  University of Missouri-Columbia

  Feb 2013 - Jul 2014

  - Planned FOH preparation for events, created hourly schedules and managed daily operations of facility.- Maintained client relations, developed catering menus, negotiated contracts, communicated concise plans with event staff, oversaw event execution and prepared invoices for payment.- Responsible for managing catering budget with regard to labor, food, beverage, and supply costs. - Enforced daily equipment and facility cleaning, and implemented routine cleaning schedules for kitchen equipment.- Taught Banquet and Catering Management, Fundamentals of Food and Beverage Industry, Food Production Management and an advanced capstone course Commercial Food Production Management.- Prepared course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments and handouts.- Prepared and delivered learning activities to achieve learning objectives.- Evaluated, graded and documented students' coursework, projects and examinations.- Coached and advised students through preparing their course career and course selections. Show less

  • Catering Manager / Food and Beverage Management Instructor

    Sept 2013 - Jul 2014

  • Online Program Coordinator, Hospitality Management

    Feb 2013 - Dec 2013
• 

  Levy Restaurants

  Jul 2014 - Dec 2022

  - Focused on increasing the accounts' productivity, growth and profitability after Covid.- Recruited and established core operations team to lead each department in account.- Created operational systems to establish baseline in operations and support a more seamless communication.- Ensured all security, safety and sanitation standards were achieved.- Mitigated and repaired departmental relationships between vendors in facility to begin sustaining strong partnerships.- Acted as liaison with Food and Beverage Team and Building Partner’s operational team, Levy team to ensure efficient operational performance.- Promoted a cooperative work climate to maximize productivity and morale.- Mentored department managers to develop their skills and leadership abilities. Show less - Led a premium catering operation for a $22MM account.- Developed and maintained strong relationships with building partners and current clients.- Delivered operational support of planning and executing million dollar shows at several properties nationwide.- Assisted Levy Restaurants' Business Development Team on multiple RFPs and presented our product to potential business ventures.- Designed and developed collaborative training programs for hourly team members to enhance guest service performance and understanding of the Convention industry.- Trained premium operations departments at 5 sister properties on company values, job roles, operations logistics, and inventory and time managements systems.- Launched think tanks with department to explore industry trends and jumpstart new innovations to implement in the catering operation.- Strong analysis, communication and problem-solving skills led to successful execution of multiple convention shows of $1.5 million or more that directly impacted profits.- Forecasted labor needs per show and maintained monthly budget on labor, supplies, and linen.- Coached and mentored team members of all levels in department to assist in their career growth. Show less

  • Assistant General Manager

    Aug 2022 - Dec 2022

  • Director of Catering

    Jul 2014 - Jul 2022
• 

  Freelance

  Jan 2023 - Jul 2023

  Operations Manager
• 

  Atrium Hospitality

  Sept 2023 - now

  Director of Events

  -Directed Catering Sales and Event Service efforts to maximize revenue through food and beverage compositions and understanding of operations procedures.-Focused on selling and closing on association and social business opportunities to achieve productivity goals.-Supervised all hotel Catering Sales and Sales & Event Service Managers to carry out all brand and management company's policies.-Interviewed, hired and trained employees with evaluating performance, provided consistent feedback and coaching, and addressed complaints and resolved issues.-Created new systems and techniques to increase the team's efficiency in servicing events with clients, how to navigate challenging conversations and emphasizing importance of clear, consistent communication with clients.-Improved customer relationships with all group clientele to strengthen rapport through listening, genuine connection and routine follow-up.-Generated bi-weekly banquet and catering forecasts, provided forecast details and maintained forecast figures in ProfitSword to keep financial information current. Show less