ANDREW LAWRENCE VERMAAK
Operations Manager
Cape Town
Summary
I am an experienced operations and production manager with over 20 years in hospitality and retail, I have enhanced operational efficiency, maintained product quality, and led successful training programs. From managing large teams, developing new products, and implementing international standards. My goal is to maintain a steady gross profit margin, with strong leadership and adaptability skills in a dynamic business environment.
Experienced with operational strategy, effectively overseeing large-scale projects and improving productivity. Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of resource management to achieve efficient workflow. Track record of leading high-performing teams and implementing impactful process improvements.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Senior Operations Manager
Gelato Mania
Cape Town, South Africa
11.2024 - Current
- Leading the development and rollout of new store locations, currently overseeing 15 stores.
- Overseeing recruitment, training, and performance to ensure a cohesive and high-performing team.
- Managed scheduling and staffing for peak service hours, optimizing workforce efficiency to meet customer demand.
- Streamlining workflows from delivery to point-of-sale to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
- Implementing strategies to boost service quality and customer satisfaction.
- Tracking key metrics to drive continuous improvement in store operations.
- Strengthening interdepartmental communication and coordination for seamless operations.
- Addressing operational challenges promptly to minimize disruptions.
- Providing leadership and training to foster ongoing professional improvement.
- Identifying opportunities to optimize resources and improve overall performance.
Operations Manager
POPCO
Cape Town, South Africa
08.2019 - 10.2024
- Planned, implemented, and controlled production schedules, tracking sales daily, weekly, and monthly.
- Managed logistics for POPCO deliveries across three regions, coordinating stock shipments and cross-country deliveries for agents in Gauteng and Durban.
- Completed monthly and bi-annual production forecasts to plan stock purchasing and costing adjustments.
- Supervised stock takes, rotation, resource allocation, equipment inspection, and maintained servicing records.
- Developed and implemented process improvements that streamlined workflow and increased efficiency across departments.
- Evaluated product quality and consistency, developing new flavors and products to enhance company standards.
- Provided weekly performance reports to owners, covering market and production kitchen activities.
Production Manager
The Creamery
Cape Town, South Africa
04.2017 - 07.2019
- Planned, implemented, and controlled weekly production schedules, supervising the production team.
- Maintained staff schedules, assisted HR with discipline, appraisals, and hiring, and resolved issues with rejected products.
- Recorded and updated master recipes, developed and implemented training materials, and systems to enhance productivity, consistency, and safety.
- Managed waste and resource allocation, supervised stock takes, rotation, equipment inspections, and maintained servicing and repair records.
- Liaised with facilities and operations managers on maintenance, stock dispatch thresholds, and ingredient procurement.
- Coordinated schedules for production staff, optimizing labor resources to meet demand while minimizing downtime.
- Supervised the product developer, assisted in retail staff training, and provided weekly performance reports.
Divisional Fresh Food Trainer
Checkers
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
08.2008 - 03.2017
- Developed and implemented annual training plans for delis, bakeries, and coffee bars, ensuring quality and consistency through comprehensive staff training.
- Created succession plans for management and controllers, facilitating smooth transitions during staff changes.
- Prepared yearly budgets based on training plans, maintaining cost efficiency.
- Conducted up to date practical and theoretical training courses for fresh food departments and store management, including in-house management courses on profitability, hygiene, P&L reports, customer service, and front-end management.
- Management of Projects (learnerships, skills programs, sanitation & hygiene HO project)
- Have completed 5 full learnerships and 7 skills programs, all of which have had a 90%+ pass rate from students and of these students that pass we have had 100% employment rate.
- Prepared and presented monthly, quarterly, and yearly training reports.
- Trained over 500 new staff for new stores and at management levels, improving service levels as per our secret shopper experience feedback.
- Assessed 200+ students for NQF levels 1-4, ensuring high standards of competency.
- My main focus was to achieve production goals for key value items (KVI) and top 100 products, maintaining a high customer satisfaction rate with a 'not sold' percentage of 5%, which is the highest it had been in a year.
- Conducted unscheduled store visits to assess production and customer satisfaction, ensuring seasonal trends are followed.
- Monitored food audits, increasing audit scores by 20% across stores.
- Facilitated workshops on compliance and safety protocols, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and reducing incidents in the workplace.
- Developed and delivered engaging training programs for diverse groups, enhancing employee performance and knowledge retention.
Bakery /Deli Department Manager
Our Super Spar
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
01.2008 - 07.2008
- Controlled production and costing for the bakery and deli, managing a team of 15 staff members.
Oversaw stock ordering, stock control, and merchandising to optimize sales and department presentation.
• Administered all paperwork and managed daily operations, including wastage control and wet demos.
• Provided daily reports to the store manager and owner, ensuring transparency and operational efficiency.
• Enhanced customer service and relations, while increasing gross profit and expanding the product range
using Spar System 3. - Oversaw daily operations of bakery and deli departments, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and quality standards.
- Managed inventory levels, conducting regular stock assessments to reduce waste and optimize product availability.
Education
No Degree - Matric
Victoria Park High School
Port Elizabeth 04.2001 - 01.2001
National Hospitality And Catering Diploma - Hospitality And Catering Management
Russell Road Campus
Port Elizabeth, South Africa 04.2001 - 01.2004
Skills
- Operations management
- KPI tracking
- Strategic planning
- Employee coaching
- Logistics management
- Cost reduction
- Workforce planning
- KPI reporting
- Forecasting
- Productivity improvement
- Standard operating procedures
Certification
Training Presentation Skills, 01/01/10
Accomplishments
- Managed national logistics, stock, operations, and staffing.
- Increased production to 8,000 units weekly and bi-weekly distribution of 5,000 units.
- Spearheaded the expansion of POPCO into Johannesburg, Pretoria, and KwaZulu-Natal.
- Streamlined production processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
- Introduced seven new flavors to the product line.
- Developed Hot Choc pops for the winter season to boost sales during quieter periods.
Interests
Kick boxing
Squash
Hiking
First Aid (Level 3)
Personal Information
Nationality: South African
Assessor Qualifications
- FoodBev SETA, 587/ASM/01426/0311, 01/01/09
- WRSETA, 617/ASS/03640/11, 01/01/09
Timeline
Senior Operations Manager
Gelato Mania
11.2024 - Current
Operations Manager
POPCO
08.2019 - 10.2024
Production Manager
The Creamery
04.2017 - 07.2019
Divisional Fresh Food Trainer
Checkers
08.2008 - 03.2017
Bakery /Deli Department Manager
Our Super Spar
01.2008 - 07.2008
No Degree - Matric
Victoria Park High School
04.2001 - 01.2001
National Hospitality And Catering Diploma - Hospitality And Catering Management
Russell Road Campus
04.2001 - 01.2004