Alejandra Vela
Chicago
Summary
Results-driven retail management professional with over 12years of experience, dedicated to surpassing company sales targets through innovative financial and marketing strategies. Proven expertise in informed purchasing and merchandising decisions that enhance profitability and elevate customer satisfaction. Strong independent decision-making skills and sound judgment consistently drive overall company success. Committed to fostering employee engagement and performance through effective training, monitoring, and morale-building initiatives.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Retail-Catering Manager
Compass Group USA- Touchpoint
Chicago, IL
12.2025 - Current
- Maintained inventory levels and ordered supplies as needed.
- Communicated effectively with clients to understand their requirements.
- Coordinated delivery times with clients and ensured that all items ordered arrived on time.
- Gathered customer requirements and worked with catering team in implementing specifications.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally while maintaining good relations with clients.
- Assisted in setting up tables, chairs, decorations prior to a catered event.
- Supervised servers during catered events to ensure high standards of service were met.
- Managed inventory levels of food supplies required for upcoming catered events.
- Organized staff scheduling and trained new employees on food safety practices.
- Reviewed invoices from vendors after each event and approved payment when appropriate.
- Trained and supervised staff to ensure excellent customer service.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly to maintain high satisfaction levels.
- Managed daily operations of the store, including opening and closing procedures.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Resolved customer complaints in an efficient manner while ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Conducted inventory management activities such as receiving shipments and maintaining stock levels.
- Monitored inventory, cash, and payroll processes to keep location running smoothly.
Starbucks Store Manager
Starbucks
12.2021 - 09.2025
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Shared weekly and quarterly sales targets with supervisor team to maximize upselling strategies
- Maximized sales and minimized loss through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Actively greeting customers upon arrival. Building relationship with community, team volunteered at local events monthly.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge, and service requirements.
- Maintained proper product levels and inventory controls for merchandise and organized backroom to facilitate effective ordering and stock rotation.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Hired, trained, mentored and promoted baristas to leadership roles.
- Implemented business strategies, effectively targeting new markets, increasing revenue by 1.3 million for Fiscal Year 2025.
Assistant Food Service Director
Chartwells-Compass Group Elmhurst University
09.2021 - 01.2022
- Overseeing multiple retail dining units and catering operations.
- Reporting financial results of 1.4 million revenue in retail and catering
- Managing 42 frontline employees, salaried staff, and a marketing intern
- Scheduling and labor management
- Purchasing and inventory control
- Ensuring stations are staffed and ready to open on time
- Event planning and creating menu with catering manager and E.C
- Attending Student Housing & Resident life department bi-weekly for student event planning
- Meeting with regional marketing manager and marketing intern weekly for dining hall and retail promo execution.
Retail Food Service Manager
Aramark – Loyola University
07.2019 - 09.2021
- Responsible for the 5 Retail Food operation units. 46 employees
- Assisting Food service director with labor management and CBA compliance
- Directing staff to achieve ultimate workflow and effectiveness
- Ensuring all units were staffed and ready to open on time
- Scheduling and labor management
- Conducting weekly FSA inspections on all units to ensure best food safety practices and proper working equipment
- Ensuring compliance to sanitation and general workplace safety standards
- Purchasing, inventory management, and invoicing
- Interviewing, hiring, training and coaching staff
Sports Dining Manager
Levy-Compass Group Northwestern University
06.2018 - 07.2019
- Opening Athletic dining hall, ensuring stations were set up on time and food was replenished throughout meal periods
- Assisting catering with Game Day Stadium Club operations
- Ensuring quality, consistency and adhering to all LEVY dining standards
Retail Manager
Sodexo -Northwestern University
04.2016 - 06.2018
- Overseeing multiple retail units throughout campus
- Managing union associates
- Working knowledge of CBA
- Performing daily pre-shifts
- Handling of cash and deposits
- Created planograms for Markets
- Generating 1.6 million in retail operations
- Monitoring SPLH & TPLH
- Responsible for purchasing, receiving, and inventory management, managing food cost
- Invoicing and reconciling
- Maintaining inventory and setting product par levels
- Creating Market promotions with marketing team
Cafeteria Floor Lead
Flik-Compass Group Latin School of Chicago
08.2014 - 04.2016
- Checking students, staff, and faculty out at register
- Stocking retail shelves and coolers, completing inventory
- Refilling Salad Bar station, assisting behind the line and kitchen
- Ensuring food is out on time and replenished
Education
Associate of Science -
Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, ILSkills
- MICROSOFT WORD, EXCEL, OUTLOOK
- KRONOS
- MICROS
- MyStaff
- Agilysys
- Sales promotions
- Webtrition
- Report generation
- Operational budgeting
- Personnel development
- Store operations oversight
- Inventory forecasting
- Recruitment and hiring
- Supply ordering
- Marketing and promotions
- Staff supervision
- Relationship building and management
- Team building and leadership
- Accurate cash handling
Languages
- Spanish
- English
Certification
- Servsafe Food Service Manager Allergy Certification
- Servsafe Food Service Manager Certification
- City Of Chicago Food Service Manager License
Timeline
Retail-Catering Manager
Compass Group USA- Touchpoint
12.2025 - Current
Starbucks Store Manager
Starbucks
12.2021 - 09.2025
Assistant Food Service Director
Chartwells-Compass Group Elmhurst University
09.2021 - 01.2022
Retail Food Service Manager
Aramark – Loyola University
07.2019 - 09.2021
Sports Dining Manager
Levy-Compass Group Northwestern University
06.2018 - 07.2019
Retail Manager
Sodexo -Northwestern University
04.2016 - 06.2018
Cafeteria Floor Lead
Flik-Compass Group Latin School of Chicago
08.2014 - 04.2016
Associate of Science -
Wilbur Wright College