Open to opportunities

Emely Lizama

@emelylizama

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Restaurant operations leader focused on customer experience, training, and safety.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a customer-obsessed restaurant leadership role where I can improve operations, train teams, and maintain top food-safety standards while growing my management skills.

I’m an operations-driven restaurant leader who improves day-to-day processes while keeping the customer experience consistently strong. In my current General Manager role, I identify procedural problems, plan improvements, and make sure the team executes them.

I lead hiring and training, interview and onboard new employees, and keep staff updated on training and important changes. I manage schedules, handle licenses and renewals, organize invoices and records, and oversee payroll for teams ranging from 30 to 35 employees.

I also take ownership of operational readiness—maintaining health and sanitation standards, improving cleaning procedures, and completing inventory for key supplies so ordering stays accurate. From resolving emergency situations to providing fast, effective service, I build calm, reliable execution under pressure.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

General Manager

Vinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzaria

Jan 2022 - Aug 2025 (3 years 7 months)

Managed front-of-house operations, including customer satisfaction, scheduling, inventory, invoices, and payroll. Improved procedures and ensured compliance with health and sanitation regulations.

Scheduling FOH Staff Management Process Improvement Inventory Management Payroll Management

Server

Vinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzaria

Jun 2021 - Jan 2022 (7 months)

Provided customer service in a busy restaurant environment and supported day-to-day front-of-house operations.

Customer Service Complaint Resolution Accuracy And Service Correction

Dishwasher & Line Server

Virginia Tech Dining

Jan 2019 - Mar 2020 (1 year 2 months)

Worked as a dishwasher and line server supporting high-volume meal service. Ensured cleanliness while handling dine-in and third-party orders.

Customer Service High Volume Dine In And Third Party Order Handling Refilling Ingredients

Daycare & Summer Camp Counselor

Epic Martial Arts

Apr 2016 - Aug 2017 (1 year 4 months)

Provided childcare and tutoring support for students in daycare and summer camp settings. Managed light administrative tasks including scheduling appointments.

Tutoring Time Management Appointments

Hostess

IHOP

Jul 2015 - Jan 2016 (6 months)

Greeted and seated guests while handling customer requests and maintaining efficient front-of-house flow. Managed seatings across busy weekend and weekday periods.

Problem Solving Guest Management Busy Shift Operations

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

John Tyler Community College

2018 - 2020

Grade: 3.50/4.00

Attended John Tyler Community College from June 2018 to May 2020, earning an overall GPA of 3.50/4.00.

Meadowbrook High School

IB Advanced Diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB)

2013 - 2017

Grade: Rank: 4/334; Weighted GPA: 4.6210

Graduated from Meadowbrook High School (Chesterfield, VA) as an IB Advanced Diploma recipient, ranking 4 of 334 in the class of 2017 and earning a weighted GPA of 4.6210.