Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
LANGUAGE ABILITIES
References
Timeline
Generic

Brandon Smith Cortes

Brisbane

Summary

Results-driven Business Administrator and aspiring Project Manager with extensive experience in leading complex operations and strategic initiatives. My background includes managing cross-functional teams and optimizing restaurant operations in Australia, alongside spearheading analytical projects on student dropout rates, employability and process operation model for a public University in Colombia. I bring demonstrated expertise in project planning, stakeholder coordination, data analysis, and process improvement, consistently leveraging strong leadership and problem-solving abilities to deliver impactful outcomes.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Restaurant Manager

Savour Cafe
09.2022 - 04.2025
  • Managed daily operations to ensure a high level of efficiency, consistency, and quality in both food and service.
  • Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
  • Tracked daily sales transactions and invoices for accurate and updated financial reporting.
  • Optimized labor costs by closely monitoring schedules, adjusting staffing levels according to business needs, and employing cross-training strategies.
  • Promoted a positive work environment with proactive conflict resolution strategies and team-building activities.
  • Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Quickly identified problem situations and skillfully resolved incidents to satisfaction of involved parties.
  • Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement while recognizing outstanding achievements as well.
  • Oversaw inventory management processes to minimize waste and maintain optimal stock levels for seamless operation.
  • Fostered an inclusive atmosphere with open communication channels for all employees to voice concerns or suggestions freely.
  • Developed, implemented, and managed business plans to promote profitable food and beverage sales.
  • Established strong relationships with local suppliers to secure competitive pricing on quality ingredients without sacrificing taste or presentation.
  • Developed comprehensive marketing plans for special events, promotions, and community outreach efforts to boost brand visibility.
  • Maintained meticulous financial records, enabling accurate budgeting and financial planning.
  • Conducted market research to identify trends and opportunities for menu development, keeping restaurant competitive.
  • Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust purchasing decisions accordingly.
  • Developed and presented weekly sales reports, providing actionable insights to track progress and inform business decisions.
  • Facilitated regular safety training sessions for all team members to ensure a safe working environment free from accidents or injuries.

Project administrator & Academic Service Officer

Universidad del Tolima, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Science
12.2018 - 12.2019
  • Conducted comprehensive studies on student dropout rates and graduate employability, providing insights for program accreditation purposes.
  • Communicated with stakeholders on job milestones.
  • Maintained detailed records of all service interactions, ensuring accurate client information was available for follow-up actions.
  • Organized critical documentation for easy access and retrieval, increasing team productivity.
  • Enhanced project efficiency by streamlining communication channels and implementing effective tracking systems.
  • Established strong relationships with internal departments such as finance and procurement for smooth collaboration in meeting project requirements.

Assistant Support

Universidad del Tolima, GIMN research group support
08.2019 - 11.2019
  • Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
  • Maintained open lines of communication with project leads and team members for effective collaboration on common goals.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative research methodologies and strategies.
  • Utilized statistical software for data analysis, generating accurate insights.
  • Provided support and guidance to students and lectures.

Research Designer

Universidad del Valle, Institute of Prospective
07.2019 - 10.2019
  • Played a key role in the University of Tolima's organizational redesign by developing and implementing a new Process Operation Model and conducting in-depth workload analysis.
  • Contributed to development of research proposals, aligning with strategic objectives and securing project approvals.
  • Improved data collection methods with introduction of innovative survey techniques.
  • Conducted extensive literature reviews to support ongoing research projects, significantly expanding team's knowledge base.
  • Recorded and analyzed data to produce reports of results.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative research methodologies and strategies.

Education

Bachelor - Business Administration

Universidad Del Tolima
Ibagué
07.2018

Postgraduate Diploma - Project Manager

Universidad Del Tolima
Ibagué, Colombia
12-2019

Diploma - Hospitality Management

Canterbury Technical Institute
Brisbane, Australia
03.2025

Certificate IV - Business

ALS Brisbane (International House College Australia)
Brisbane, Australia
01.2024

Skills

  • Organizational
  • Adaptable
  • Problem-solving
  • Customer service
  • Reliable and responsible
  • Team leadership
  • Critical thinking
  • Cost controls
  • Strategic planning

LANGUAGE ABILITIES

Written - English, Spanish, Portuguese
Spoken - English, Spanish, Portuguese

References

Mercedes, Parra Àlviz, Senior lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, mparra@ut.edu.co, Universidad del Tolima, Colombia.

Matthew Jefferis, Owner Savour Cafe. Email: jefferisholdings@gmail.com

Timeline

Restaurant Manager

Savour Cafe
09.2022 - 04.2025

Assistant Support

Universidad del Tolima, GIMN research group support
08.2019 - 11.2019

Research Designer

Universidad del Valle, Institute of Prospective
07.2019 - 10.2019

Project administrator & Academic Service Officer

Universidad del Tolima, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Science
12.2018 - 12.2019

Bachelor - Business Administration

Universidad Del Tolima

Postgraduate Diploma - Project Manager

Universidad Del Tolima

Diploma - Hospitality Management

Canterbury Technical Institute

Certificate IV - Business

ALS Brisbane (International House College Australia)
Brandon Smith Cortes