Raj Bhanwadia
Calgary,Canada
Summary
With extensive experience in hotel operations and restaurant management, I excel in negotiation, sales, and driving business growth. My strong work ethic and owner mentality enable me to consistently meet objectives and earn the trust of senior management and owners to manage diverse responsibilities effectively. I enjoy putting efforts working with a team to achieve organizational goals and maintain high level of communication.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Phils Restaurant
Calgary, Alberta
05.2022 - Current
- Spearheaded initiatives, including specialty menus, promotions, and online campaigns, resulting in a 15-20% increase in revenue and guest count, while effectively managing costs.
- Successfully reduced food costs by 2% and labor costs by 5-7% per accounting period, driving operational efficiency without compromising service quality
- Led employee recognition programs and performance reviews, fostering a motivated team environment that directly contributed to improved sales and customer satisfaction ratings.
- Implemented new operational procedures to ensure alignment with food, service, and safety standards, while consistently performing routine checks to maintain health, safety, and regulatory compliance
- Monitored financial performance and identified areas for improvement in cost savings and revenue generation.
Rooms Operations/Manager on Duty
The Westin Calgary Airport Hotel
Calgary, Canada
07.2021 - 09.2022
- Co-managed Front Office and Housekeeping operations, optimizing labor and resources based on occupancy
- Negotiated and controlled costs for housekeeping supplies, reducing overall inventory expenditure
- Led audits and operational improvements to align with brand standards and enhance guest satisfaction
- Managed payroll, scheduling, and HR functions, ensuring compliance with company policies and boosting team morale
- Trained staff on guest service excellence, resulting in improved customer feedback and satisfaction scores
General Manager/ Acting Director of Sales
Holiday Inn Express Hotel
09.2021 - 03.2022
- Managed daily revenue tasks to maximize REVPAR and occupancy, optimizing pricing strategies in line with budgeted financial goals
- Closed sales contracts and maintained high-yield LNRs, driving revenue within allocated sales budgets
- Reconciled monthly revenue, tracked lost income, and ensured pricing strategies aligned with financial targets and budget constraints
- Led daily meetings, addressed guest concerns, and achieved OSAT goals while maintaining budget compliance
- Managed hotel maintenance and vendor contracts, ensuring costs remained within budgeted allocations
Acting Department Head-Housekeeping Manager
The Westin Calgary Airport Hotel
Calgary, Canada
02.2020 - 07.2021
- Reported to Director of Rooms and Hotel Manager, overseeing 23-25 staff members
- Managed vendor relationships and budget for hotel amenities, linens, and supplies
- Led housekeeping operations to achieve 'Hotel Cleanliness Champion' status (2020-2022)
- Ensured high guest satisfaction by maintaining cleanliness across rooms, event spaces, and public areas
- Developed and managed departmental budgets for labor, inventory, and discard processes
- Created a high sense of work ethic and engaged into team performance and social programmes
Education
Hospitality and Restaurant Operations Management -
Centennial College
01.2017
Bachelors of Commerce -
Ness Wadia College of Commerce
01.2015
Skills
- Sales planning and implementation
- Organizational development
- Operational Leadership
- Process Improvement
- Guest Relations
- Employee Engagement
- Budgeting and cost control
Volunteer Experience
- M.S Awareness Fundraiser Volunteer, A&W, 2016 - 2017
- National Service Scheme Volunteer, University of Pune, 2013 - 2014
- Drafting Committee Member, Indian Student Parliament, 2013 - 2014
- Scout, AKDN, 2010 - 2014
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Gujrati
- Punjabi
Languages
English
Full Professional
Hindi
Full Professional
Gujarati
Full Professional
Punjabi
Professional
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
General Manager
Phils Restaurant
05.2022 - Current
General Manager/ Acting Director of Sales
Holiday Inn Express Hotel
09.2021 - 03.2022
Rooms Operations/Manager on Duty
The Westin Calgary Airport Hotel
07.2021 - 09.2022
Acting Department Head-Housekeeping Manager
The Westin Calgary Airport Hotel
02.2020 - 07.2021
Hospitality and Restaurant Operations Management -
Centennial College
Bachelors of Commerce -
Ness Wadia College of Commerce