Shannon Buckley

Experience

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  Ezuli

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2005

  Founder & CEO

  Ezuli featured a unique, Caribbean menu with island-inspired drinks in this 1,500 square-foot restaurant and lounge.Concept Development & Restaurant Launch: Developed the concept and successfully opened a restaurant in Chicago’s Wicker Park area.Team Leadership & Training: Led the recruitment and training of kitchen and bar managers, as well as a staff of 18, while establishing systems for food selection, ordering, and daily operations.Operational & Financial Management: Managed all aspects of business operations, including bookkeeping, inventory, payroll, and tax filings, ensuring efficient and compliant financial management.Event & Catering Management: Organized off-premise catering for events of up to 300 guests and hosted private events such as fashion shows, wedding receptions, record release parties, and live musical performances. Show less

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  Vert a Brasserie by Wolfgang Puck

  Sept 2005 - Jan 2008

  General Manager

  Brasserie Vert was designed for a contemporary audience, offering an elevated dining experience in an urban Hollywood setting.• Operational Management: Operational Management: Oversaw daily operations, including profit and loss analysis and labor cost management, ensuring efficient business performance and financial accuracy.• Customer Service Excellence: Maintained the highest standards of service, cultivating strong relationships with patrons that contributed to a high rate of return visits and customer loyalty.• Team Leadership & Environment: Cultivated a positive, professional, and supportive work environment for both staff and patrons, enhancing team collaboration and advancing interpersonal and leadership skills.• Inventory & Ordering Systems: Developed efficient inventory and ordering systems for front-of-house products, liquor, beer, and wine, streamlining processes and minimizing errors, while building strong partnerships with vendors.• Event Management: Oversaw and coordinated off-site catered events, including high-profile events like the Governor’s Ball for the Academy Awards, ensuring seamless execution and client satisfaction. Show less

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  Jai by Wolfgang Puck

  Jan 2008 - Sept 2010

  General Manager

  World-class dining at the renowned La Jolla Playhouse, Jai by Wolfgang Puck fused Asian traditions with contemporary culinary trends.• Budget & Financial Management: Developed and managed a $4.4 million annual budget (restaurant and catering), including financial analysis, fiscal oversight, and regular monitoring of sales and expenses to ensure profitability.• Venue Launch & Operations: Led all aspects of opening the venue, from reviewing blueprints and construction documents to working closely with construction crews and designers, ensuring the project met deadlines and stayed within budget.• Grand Opening & Public Relations: Successfully coordinated Jai’s soft and grand openings, generating significant PR coverage and securing international media attention (Zagat, local outlets).• Team Leadership & Development: Hired, trained, and managed a front-of-house team of 60 staff members, as well as the catering, sales, and restaurant managers. Fostered a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.• Operational Oversight: Managed daily restaurant operations, ensuring top-tier service and customer satisfaction, while also overseeing three satellite theatre bars across the venue.• Financial Reporting: Handled all financial aspects, including weekly profit and loss statements, sales reports, and labor cost management, optimizing performance and cost controls.• Compliance & Safety: Maintained compliance with OSHA guidelines, overseeing safety protocols and managing the OSHA log to ensure a safe and compliant work environment.• Wine Program Development: Curated and maintained a 75+ wine list, providing in-depth staff training on wine offerings to enhance the guest experience. Show less

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  Yoga Six

  Jan 2012 - Oct 2015

  Manager

  Yoga Six is a full-service, upscale, community-based group of studios offering yoga classes for students of all levels.Studio & Operations Management: Managed all aspects of studio operations, including staff scheduling, payroll processing, and day-to-day activities to ensure smooth and efficient operations.Team Leadership & Development: Recruited, trained, and supported staff, including assistant managers and client advisors. Responsible for the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring to termination, and led disciplinary actions and feedback conversations to promote a culture of accountability and growth.Marketing & Client Engagement: Developed and executed marketing strategies and promotional events to attract new clients and increase engagement with existing members.Financial Oversight: Managed financial responsibilities, including monthly profit and loss statements, attendance tracking, and marketing performance analysis to drive studio growth. Show less

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  LEAP COFFEE LLC

  Feb 2016 - Oct 2016

  Business and Team Development

  Leap Coffee is a specialty coffee roastery and café start-up, offering a variety of handcrafted whole bean coffees to both café and wholesale accounts.HR Leadership & Recruitment: Designed and implemented an effective recruitment, hiring, and onboarding system from the ground up, attracting top talent to support the café’s growth.Training & Development: Led staff training across all functions, promoting employees to supervisory roles and preparing them for success in a start-up environment.HR Compliance & Employee Relations: Established and managed HR practices, ensuring payroll compliance, adherence to labor laws, and handling disciplinary actions to foster a supportive and legally compliant workplace.Menu Development & Cost Analysis: Created and launched the café’s initial food menu, performing product cost analysis to ensure profitability and align with the start-up’s financial goals.Business Growth & Outreach: Identified and pursued growth opportunities through catering, wholesale accounts, and community networking, driving business expansion and increasing brand visibility. Show less

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  Cafe Gratitude

  Nov 2016 - Nov 2019

  General Manager (HR)

  Café Gratitude is a collection of plant-based restaurants specializing in 100% organic gourmet cuisines. The restaurant strives to create a menu and environment that supports health and sustainability for both our community and the planet. • HR Leadership & Team Development: Spearheaded HR functions including recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions for a team of 80. Led and developed a management team of five, coaching department managers on effective scheduling and fostering staff growth.• Training & Development: Delivered coaching and training to department managers on staff development, scheduling, and labor budget management. Conducted quarterly department meetings to support consistent team development and growth.• Strategic Budget & Financial Management: Managed a $5.1 million annual budget, consistently exceeding monthly sales targets by 8% on average. Reduced labor and food costs while increasing weekly sales from $65K to $95K through financial analysis and strategic forecasting.• Employee Relations & Compliance: Ensured compliance with labor laws by managing investigations into misconduct and harassment, and maintaining accurate personnel records. Promoted accountability and operational efficiency through strict policy enforcement.• Employee Engagement & Retention: Enhanced employee satisfaction by cultivating a supportive and inclusive work culture, addressing staff needs, and promoting engagement, which led to increased retention and team morale.• Operational Success & Customer Experience: Aligned team efforts with customer satisfaction goals to ensure an exceptional guest experience, driving operational success.• Communication & Leadership: Excelled in verbal and written communication, active listening, and critical thinking. Demonstrated strong multitasking abilities and effective time management. Show less

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  GOODONYA®

  Apr 2020 - Jan 2024

  People Operations & General Manager

  • Enhanced Employee Retention: Led the entire employee lifecycle, fostering a positive work environment that significantly improved retention rates.• Team Expansion: Grew staff from 30 to 60, successfully launching a market, wine lounge, private dining room, and catering services.• Optimized Onboarding & Training: Developed and implemented a comprehensive onboarding and training system, ensuring smooth integration for new hires and enhancing performance through 60-day and annual reviews.• HRIS Platform Management: Managed employee data, including onboarding, offboarding, and payroll processing through Paychex, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.• Benefits & Compliance Management: Directed benefits administration, leave processes, and regulatory compliance, optimizing organizational efficiency.• Risk Mitigation & Training: Maintained harassment prevention trainings and led health and safety program integration, including IIPP, ergonomics, and workers' compensation regulations.• Crisis Management: Navigated the company through COVID-19 shutdowns by adapting operations to meet state guidelines, maintaining business continuity and supporting employee needs.• Data-Driven Decisions: Compiled and analyzed weekly sales and labor reports to inform strategic decisions.• Regulatory Compliance: Ensured adherence to Cal/OSHA regulations, maintaining OSHA logs and conducting safety inspections and training. Show less

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  Sport Clips Haircuts

  Jun 2024 - now

  Team Development

  Sport Clips is a rapidly expanding franchise system specializing in men's haircuts, offering a unique, sports-themed experience.• Collaborated with the Director of Team Development to ensure HR compliance and provide team member support across 43 locations.• Conducted compliance walk-throughs for new stores to verify adherence to current policies and procedures.• Played a key role in the HRIS transition from Paycor to Paycom, troubleshooting issues and supporting store managers throughout the process.• Assisted with open enrollment by running eligibility reports and guiding store managers through completion for eligible team members.• Acted as a trusted HR resource for managers and team members, addressing questions, concerns, and challenges. Show less