Operations Expert/Entrepreneur/Business Development Strategist
Toronto,Canada
Summary
Decisive, entrepreneurial business professional with over 20 years of executive operational experience, 15 years of these in and around the capital region of Norway. Efficient and effective cost management expert with extensive P&L analytical experience, a proven track record of positively impacting the bottom-line. Strong inter-personal, collaborating skills leading and mentoring staffs of 150+ professionals. Customer-centric ethos with a natural ability to pivot.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
General Manager
Home Instead York Region
Richmond Hill & Newmarket, ON
05.2022 - Current
Full P&L responsibility for York region for largest global provider of non-medical home care.
Responsible for business development and growth in York Region.
20%+ top-line revenue growth (CPI-adjusted) on all-time annual sales record.
Accountable for establishing, building, nurturing, and maintaining referral network of retirement community professionals and regional hospitals.
Hold and lead regular presentations with health care professionals.
Maximize efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
Create new business initiatives to drive revenue.
Identify pain-points for both community and private actors in senior health care sector and provide collaborative solutions.
Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
General manager
Playdium Orion Gate Brampton
Brampton, Canada
07.2019 - 05.2022
Opened first re-branded Playdium in Canada.
Initiated and collaborated on booking system for Playdium concept.
Full P&L responsibility of venue.
Consistently delivered strong labour percentages relative to revenue.
Increased accumulative EBITA from 2019 of 21.9% to 28% in Jan 2020 and 33.5% in Feb 2020.
Dec 2021 location EBITDA Margin of 61.4% - best in LBE circuit.
Gross Margin of 86.2% - best in LBE circuit.
Amusement COGS of 6.3% and overall COGS of 10.1% for Sept
2021, best in LBE circuit.
Created training syllabus and led workshop for executives on Playdium concept.
Supported and advised during opening of full-service restaurant and private events at Playdium Dartmouth.
Led workshop on Amusements for opening team of Rec Room Barrie.
Managed game profitability and margins.
Oversaw product placement within Swag Store to maximize both guest experience and merchandise redemption.
Report redemption and Merchandiser COGS, adjust when necessary to ensure alignment with payout percentage goals.
Monitor game and attraction performance and ensure adjustments\repairs are done in timely manner.
Ensure maintenance checks of attractions are being done diligently, actively participate in certifications done by manufacturers and government regulating bodies such as TSSA.
Develop capex proposals including detailed investment breakdown, ROI, stakeholder identification, and opportunity cost.
Managing Director/Partner
The Nighthawk Diner AS, The Nighthawk Diner Bygdøy Allé AS
Oslo, Norway
11.2013 - 05.2019
Spearheaded expansion of 1930's-inspired diner concept into multi-unit enterprise.
Full P&L responsibility for companies.
Generated consistent net profits year-on-year from 2014 to 2016 from 110-cover restaurant while simultaneously reducing CoS by average of 10% per annum.
Improved EBIT result by 400’ during first year of ownership, with further 44% increase following year.
Designed and project managed structural changes to restaurant which resulted in improved efficiency and created better "flow" for both front-of-house and kitchen staff and resulted in decrease of 12.5% in PE.
Developed a secondary revenue source by negotiating & providing in-house food services for the American Embassy in Oslo.
Sourced, negotiated, and participated in off-site events such as 4th of July Picnic in Frognerparken (large park in centre of Oslo and well attended), Findings Festival, Bruce Springsteen concert.
Launched second unit & project managed entire process from A to Z - sourced location, negotiated lease terms, generated additional financing, designed layout, hired and negotiated terms with key contractors, supervised major re-fit of entire location including major structural improvements, hired key personnel, designed decor in close co-operation with interior architects.
Negotiated new annual contracts and service agreements with vendors to achieve prime pricing.
Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
Documented processes and drafted SOPs to comply with regulations and company policies.
Director
Marché International Norge, Lier South
Drammen, Norway
08.2009 - 10.2013
Global, innovative culinary company with roots in Switzerland.
Full P&L responsibility of restaurant and hotel.
Operated profitable restaurant and 21-unit hotel.
Maintained profitability in restaurant with best EBIT result for 1st two years and 2nd for last two, despite net loss by restaurant group Marché Restaurants Norge (Norway).
Participated in management seminars in continental Europe - Leipzig Germany, Nuremburg Germany and Vienna Austria.
Project managed renovation of all 21 rooms in hotel as well as entire restaurant.
Operations Manager/Partner
Jonas B. Gundersen
Drammen, Norway
04.2001 - 08.2009
Italian-American restaurant with jazz theme.
Achieved 10% EBIT result every year of ownership.
Participated in annual company meetings and helped develop marketing strategies, budgets, menus and events.
Coordinated events during Elvefestival and FIS Cross.Country World Cup that attracts 100 000+ people to centre of town with population of 80 000.
Hired and trained key personnel such as FoH mangers and head chefs.
Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
Co-developed and implemented business strategies to achieve business goals and stay competitive.
Education
Practical Course - Labour Law For Executives
BI Norwegian School of Business
Oslo, Norway
02.2015 - 04.2016
Master of Business Administration - Economics
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, Scotland
09.2011 - 05.2012
Master of Business Administration - Organizational Behaviour
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, Scotland
09.2011 - 05.2012
Master of Business Administration - Strategic Planning
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, Scotland
09.2011 - 05.2012
Master of Business Administration - Accounting
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, Scotland
09.2011 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC
Skills
Financial Management
undefined
Certification
Internal Control/HACCP, Marché International Norge, Norway
Timeline
General Manager
Home Instead York Region
05.2022 - Current
General manager
Playdium Orion Gate Brampton
07.2019 - 05.2022
Practical Course - Labour Law For Executives
BI Norwegian School of Business
02.2015 - 04.2016
Managing Director/Partner
The Nighthawk Diner AS, The Nighthawk Diner Bygdøy Allé AS
11.2013 - 05.2019
Master of Business Administration - Economics
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
09.2011 - 05.2012
Master of Business Administration - Organizational Behaviour
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
09.2011 - 05.2012
Master of Business Administration - Strategic Planning
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
09.2011 - 05.2012
Master of Business Administration - Accounting
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
09.2011 - 05.2012
Fire Safety for Leaders, SafeCon AS, Norway
04-2010
Leadership Advanced, Marché International Norge, Norway
03-2010
Internal Control/HACCP, Marché International Norge, Norway