Aashish Gawari
Chandimandir
Summary
Dynamic General Manager with extensive experience at Taj Hotels,ITC Hotels,Lalit Suri hospitality, Dusit hotels and resorts adept at driving revenue growth through strategic marketing and operational excellence. Proven expertise in budgeting and financial management, alongside exceptional leadership skills that foster team collaboration. Successfully led pre-opening initiatives, ensuring compliance and enhancing guest satisfaction through innovative service design.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager - Pre Opening
Dusit hotels and resorts
Gurugram
04.2024 - Current
- Conducted regular meetings with senior management team to review progress against established objectives.
- Developed marketing strategies designed to increase brand awareness within target markets.
- Oversaw product development initiatives from concept through completion stages.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Implemented successful business strategies to increase revenue and target new markets.
- Provided guidance and support to subordinate managers in order to foster an atmosphere of cooperation throughout the organization.
- Ensured compliance with local health department regulations regarding food safety standards.
- Analyzed market trends to inform business decisions and strategies.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Implemented employee recognition programs to motivate staff members towards achieving organizational goals.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff members to ensure efficient operations.
- Improved productivity initiatives, managing budgets and accounts, coordinating itinerary and scheduling appointments.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired qualified staff for open positions.
- Created schedules and monitored payroll to remain within budget.
- Recruited, trained and empowered employees to achieve key performance indicators.
- Guided management and supervisory staff to promote smooth operations.
- Created a positive work environment by developing team building activities that encouraged collaboration among departments.
- Conducted market research to identify trends, opportunities, and threats in the industry.
General Manager
ITC Hotels – Fortune Division
Gurugram
12.2014 - 04.2024
- Directed operations and ensured efficient functioning of ITC Fortune Pushpanjali, Durgapur.
- Oversaw the operational functions of both Noida and Ghaziabad locations for Fortune Inn Grazia during tenure from June 2019 to April 2022.
- Offered operational and pre-opening hotel support while stationed at ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon between 2016 and 2019.
- BOQ finalization of the F&B Service department for pre-opening hotels.
- Conducted operational audits for hotels across Delhi NCR.
- Preopening of Fortune Park Vellore and Fortune Park Pushpanjali, Durgapur.
- Placement of preopening fortune force at both locations in order to meet deadlines
- Mentoring of ten operation managers heading smaller inventory units within Fortune brand
- Analysis of General Manager’s monthly report and extracting data for the chain
- Analysis of WOW scores for F&B Department across chain
- Planning of F&B calendar in tandem with Corp Chef for the entire group
- The soft launch of Fortune Park, Haridwar, was completed in January 2018.
- Opened Fortune Inn Promenade, Vadodara, as pre-opening General Manager.
- Finalized budgets, BOQs, Marketing strategies, Business plan for the hotel
- Defined service design for the Hotels
- Implemented standard operating procedures.
- Carried out costs savings initiatives
- Manpower plan for the hotel – followed by recruitment of the workforce.
- I operated Fortune Park JP Celestial, Bengaluru (129 keys) as the interim General Manager for five months.
- Analyzed monthly financial reporting
- Lead various internal and external meetings.
- Responsible for the overall operations and administration of the unit.
- Deputed at Srinagar and Pahalgam from January 2015 to September 2016 for the opening of conversion hotels Fortune Resort Heevan Srinagar and Welcomhotel Pine and Peak Pahalgam as Pre-Opening General Manager.
- Finalized budgets, BOQs, marketing strategies, and business plans for both hotels.
- Defined service design for both the Hotels
- Implemented standard operating procedures
- Carried out costs savings initiatives
- Manpower plan for both the hotels – Followed by recruitment of work force
General Manager
The Lalit Chandigarh
02.2013 - 12.2014
- Pre opening Hotel
- Responsible for overall operations and administration of unit
- Responsible for setting up the unit across its various functions
- Responsible for completion of the Hotel and getting all operational licenses
- Planning and implementation of SAM strategies
- Preparing a proposed tariff for rooms and food and beverage pricing based on market survey report
- Completion of set targets and achieving deadlines in order to control the cost of project
- Man management – Hiring, training and induction of new members on board
- Formulating SOP’s for the unit and ensuring they are followed
General Manager
The Lalit Grand Palace, Srinagar
08.2011 - 01.2013
- Responsible for overall operations and administration of unit
- Responsible for budgeting and thereby achieving financial results for the unit
- Responsible for completion of ongoing projects in the Hotel
- Planning and implementation of SAM strategies
- Maintaining the overall G.O.P
- Of the unit
- Man management
- Maintaining standards and ensuring that all SOP’s are followed
General Manager
The Lalit Temple View, Khajuraho
03.2010 - 07.2011
- Responsible for overall operations and administration of unit
- Responsible for budgeting and thereby achieving financial results for the unit
- Responsible for completion of ongoing projects in the Hotel
- Planning and implementation of SAM strategies
- Maintaining the overall G.O.P
- Of the unit
- Man management
- Maintaining standards and ensuring that all SOP’s are followed
- Categorization of Hotel by M.O.T
- To five star deluxe category
Resident Manager
Hotel Mansingh, Jaipur
04.2008 - 02.2010
- Assisting General Manager in day to day operations of the Hotel
- Handling operations in the absence of General Manager
- Maintaining liaisons with local authorities
- Planning and execution of renovation in hotel
- Standardization of process and ensuring the follow up on same
- Establishing quality standards
- Planning strategies for increase of revenues along with SAM team
- Planning of operational, capital and revenue budgets
- Assist in planning staff welfare and recruitment of new staff
- Develop training modules for staff and impart training
- Ensure optimal staffing in all departments
- Liaoning between all functional departments of the hotel
- Directly in charge of Food and beverage service, Housekeeping and front office department of the hotel
Food and Beverage Manager
Hotel Chandela (Taj Group of Hotels), Khajuraho
09.2007 - 04.2008
- Heading the complete operations of the Food and Beverage department
- Planning Theme dinners
- Managing Capex, revenue & operational budgets
- Conceptualization and execution of F&B Calendar of Events and Promotions for the year
- Working in association with Executive chef in the area of cuisine, menu planning and design
- Establishing quality and quantity standards of food preparation and presentation
- Food tasting and quality checks for introduction of new items in the menu
- Developing and implementing strategies to achieve a larger market share and attract new segments, in co ordination with the SAM team
- Reviewing the monthly profit and loss statement for various outlets and deriving inferences and developing action plan on the same
- Work in association with cost controllers in various areas of F&B costs
- Recruitment and performance appraisal of the staff in the department
- Overall staff welfare, learning and development of F&B team
- Ensure optimal staffing levels
- Preparation of annual indent for the F&B department
- Accelerate the tempo of existing clientele through regular monitoring of Guest feedback, prompt, efficient and accurate service procedures and enhancing guest loyalty through introduction of various schemes and retention promotions
- Maintain liaisons with local authorities
- Monitor adherence to Safety, Hygiene and Cleanliness standards
- Adhering to ISO 14001 and HACCP guidelines
- Instrumental in classification of Hotel Chandela as HACCP certified Hotel
Food and Beverage Manager
Mansingh Palace, Agra
08.2004 - 09.2007
- Heading the complete operations of the Food and Beverage department
- Responsible for overall hotel operations as General Manager in the absence of the same
- Planning and executing day and residential conferences
- Planning, forecasting and budgeting the revenues and cost for F&B department
- Monitor and improve F&B market share
- Ensuring the Staff cost and other related expenses are within the established norms
- M.I.S
- Developing systems that achieve higher cost efficiency and guest satisfaction
- Ensuring that all operational standards set for all the equipments and processes are followed
- Building an accurate and effective database of current and potential guests
- Maintain accurate and up to date information on competition’s performance, sales and marketing strategy
- Instrumental in classification of Hotel as a five star Hotel
Catering & Sweetmeat Products Establishment in a Partnership Set up
Entrepreneurial set up
Gurugram
04.2003 - 07.2004
- Conducted comprehensive research and data analysis to support strategic planning and informed decision-making.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
Banquet Manager
The Bristol, Gurgaon
06.2000 - 04.2003
- Complete operational in charge of Banquet operations
- Managing outdoor catering operation
- Carried out vendor selections in strict compliance with hotel standards
- Revived & successfully re-launched the ailing restaurant – “Zaffran”
- Ensured smooth handling of residential conferences thereby creating a consistent inflow of corporate clientele
Assistant Manager – Food & Beverages
Sarovar Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Agra
03.1999 - 06.2000
- Joined F&B department as in-charge of the coffee shop
- Given additional charge of the following operations: Bar, Banquets, Room service
- Set up a comprehensive induction & training center for stewards
Deputy Manager Operations
Vertex Sports Academy, New Delhi
12.1997 - 02.1999
- In charge of complete operations at three locations
- Joined as location manager & grew to deputy manager operations
- In charge of conceptualizing & execution of all promotional activities
- Materialized a host of joint partnership activities with other corporations
- Successful in launching new centers
- Handled recruitments, induction & training activities
- Responsible for collecting & accounting for cash at all the locations
- Reporting to the Managing Director
Education
Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology -
National Council of Hotel Management
Chandigarh01.1997
Bachelor of Arts -
Panjab University
ChandigarhSkills
- Detailed knowledge of hotel operations
- Knowledge of different cuisines
- Service styles
- Restaurant concepts
- Proficiency in managing Coffee Shops,Restaurants,Bars,Banquets,Night Clubs
- Leading and motivating teams
- Achieving goals and targets
- Ability to perform efficiently under challenging situations
- Ability to successfully turn around restaurant operations
- Menu Planning and Designing
- Kitchen Planning and Design
- Restaurant traffic flow management
- Event promotions
- Designing and implementation of recruitment,Induction and training programs
- Proficient in negotiations
- Customer relationship management
- Budgeting
- Knowledge of costing and pricing techniques
- Train the Trainer programs
- Food Safety and HACCP implementation
- Working knowledge of Fidelio,Opera,Prolific,Micros,Shawman
- Excellent communication skills
- Operational auditor
- Preopening expertise in conversion and brown field hotels
- BOQ finalization for preopening hotels
- Analysis of data for business strategy
- Financial management
- Project management
- Market analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Employee training
- Team building
- Operational auditing
- Budget planning
- Revenue growth strategies
- SOP development
- Staff recruitment
- Conflict resolution
- Effective communication
- Leadership and team building
- Vendor negotiations
- Data review
- Customer retention
- Employee development
- Supply chain management
- Staff training
- Facility management
- Total quality management
- Operations management
Wife
Housewife
Children
17 yrs, 13 yrs
Personal Information
- Father's Name: Lt. Col S.K. Gawari
- Date of Birth: 08/19/75
- Marital Status: Married
Accomplishments
a) HACCP certified trainer and auditor
b) “Best Tourist centre award” by Madhya Pradesh government for Hotel Taj Chandela in 2007
c) “Best heritage hotel grand” award by Ministry of tourism for The Lalit grand Palace Srinagar in 2011 under National tourism awards
d) Board member for The Lalit Suri academy and ITC Hotels - Fortune Divison for management trainee selection process.
e) Operational auditor for ITC Hotels - Fortune division
f) Part of Hotel Classification committee along with ministry of tourism while representing hotel bodies of FHRAI and HAI.
g) Industry speaker to various Hotel schools.
h) Manager of the year award at The Bristol Gurgaon for achieving exceptional target in banquets
i) Manager of the year award at The Lalit Srinagar for achieving exceptional revenue targets and customer satisfaction.
j) Hotel of the year award from Fortune Hotels for Noida for achieving superior guest satisfaction.
k) “Best Chain hotel” for Fortune Noida awarded by FHRAI in 2021-22.
l) MD’s award for completion of preopening activities of Fortune Vadodara – an ITC Hotel in stipulated time limit.
Timeline
General Manager - Pre Opening
Dusit hotels and resorts
04.2024 - Current
General Manager
ITC Hotels – Fortune Division
12.2014 - 04.2024
General Manager
The Lalit Chandigarh
02.2013 - 12.2014
General Manager
The Lalit Grand Palace, Srinagar
08.2011 - 01.2013
General Manager
The Lalit Temple View, Khajuraho
03.2010 - 07.2011
Resident Manager
Hotel Mansingh, Jaipur
04.2008 - 02.2010
Food and Beverage Manager
Hotel Chandela (Taj Group of Hotels), Khajuraho
09.2007 - 04.2008
Food and Beverage Manager
Mansingh Palace, Agra
08.2004 - 09.2007
Catering & Sweetmeat Products Establishment in a Partnership Set up
Entrepreneurial set up
04.2003 - 07.2004
Banquet Manager
The Bristol, Gurgaon
06.2000 - 04.2003
Assistant Manager – Food & Beverages
Sarovar Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Agra
03.1999 - 06.2000
Deputy Manager Operations
Vertex Sports Academy, New Delhi
12.1997 - 02.1999
Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology -
National Council of Hotel Management
Bachelor of Arts -
Panjab University
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