Juan Pablo Solano

Summary of Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Oversaw all daily restaurant operations including inventory, cost control, and building systems for FOH/BOH.
• Developed and executed the restaurant's marketing strategy to drive customer engagement and revenue.
• Managed financial aspects including accounting, monthly investor reporting, bookkeeping, and tax filings.
• Led food & beverage development (recipe building, wine program, cocktails) and staff training (FOH/BOH).
• Ensured the restaurant's full compliance with all Illinois health standards, regulatory obligations, and internal quality standards, prioritizing food safety and operational excellence.
• Led capital raising efforts, securing a total of $1.1 million through investor, inKind, and the establishment of business lines of credit for the restaurant opening.

Vendor Management & Negotiation:

• Managed all vendor relationships, including selection, quality control via checklists, and timely order placement.
• Negotiated contract terms and pricing with diverse vendors (food, beverage, insurance, etc.) to improve cost and quality.
• Maintained constant communication with vendors, proactively seeking better deals and ensuring strong partnerships.

Inventory & Cost Control:

• Implemented MarginEdge for inventory control, enabling accurate cost tracking and identification of waste reduction opportunities.
• Developed order guides with par values for BOH/FOH, reducing ordering costs by 10% within one month.
• Contributed to a significant decrease in COGS from 35% to 25% through effective inventory and purchasing strategies.

Accounts Payable & Cash Flow Management:

• Managed all accounts payable, ensuring timely vendor payments to maintain positive relationships.
• Responsible for ensuring sufficient cash flow for timely payments, payroll, rent, and operating costs.
• Demonstrated strong fiscal responsibility in a new business environment, carefully managing cash utilization.

Procurement Strategy & Cost Monitoring:

• Implemented procurement strategy and cost monitoring, identifying and reducing business/liquor insurance costs by 65%.
• Proactively identified cost-saving alternatives for ingredients while maintaining quality standards.
• Established an approval process for chef and beverage director orders based on budget, ensuring financial control.

Summary of Achievements:

• Contributed to the procurement cost reduction strategy during the merger of Ricolino and Mondelez, identifying $150 million in potential savings through merger synergies and vendor renegotiations.
• Conducted market landscape analysis and prioritized whitespace opportunities within the US alcoholic beverage market for a major Mexican juice manufacturer.
• Served as PMO for the change of legal address for Kenvue (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health spin-off) across Latin America.
• Led due diligence efforts to identify and assess the impacts of the demerger between Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue.
• Developed a comprehensive growth strategy for one of Mexico's largest kraft and paperboard companies, outlining strategic initiatives for expansion.
• Led market research initiatives on global carbon market assessments for EY ESG LATAM North, providing critical insights for sustainability strategy.
• Spearheaded a market study focused on assessing the ESG maturity of corporations across Latin America, contributing to EY's ESG service offerings.