Syamlal Syamnivas

Operations Manager | Project Management | Process Improvement | Team Leadership | Guest Experience | Lean & Agile | AI-Driven Ops

Greater Halifax Metropolitan Area

About

Results-driven Operations Manager with over 8 years of international experience in food service, hospitality, and event operations across Canada, Ireland, and India. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, implement scalable processes, and drive guest satisfaction in high-volume, multi-unit environments. Skilled in workforce scheduling, vendor partnerships, health compliance, and financial performance tracking. Adept at using tools like MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, and Airtable to streamline workflows and implement AI-driven solutions. I bring a strong passion for coaching teams, elevating customer experiences, and delivering operational excellence through data-driven decisions. Currently based in Halifax and open to opportunities in restaurant, retail, and food tech sectors.

Experience

  • Assistant Manager at A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

  • Guest Delight Manager at Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd.
    May 2020 - Jul 2023 · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Summary: Managed front-of-house operations in multiple high-volume restaurant locations, improving guest satisfaction, reducing service errors, and mentoring frontline teams. Key Achievements: Led a team of 20+ employees across three units, improving customer feedback scores by 15%. Implemented SOPs and dynamic scheduling to reduce overtime costs by 10%. Facilitated guest recovery protocols, resulting in a 25% increase in return visits. Collaborated with kitchen and delivery teams to streamline service flow and reduce wait times.

  • Operations Manager at Laziz Pizza Franchise
    Mar 2018 - Apr 2020 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Summary: Oversaw day-to-day operations, managed procurement and vendor coordination, and aligned service delivery with regional customer demand. Key Achievements: Developed a real-time dashboard for chef availability and booking coordination, reducing mismatches by 30%. Cut raw material waste by 18% through improved forecasting and stock rotation policies. Introduced employee incentive programs that improved staff retention by 22%. Conducted training on customer service and hygiene protocols.

  • Project Manager at Tune Hoppers
    Feb 2017 - Jan 2018 · 1 yr

    Summary: Led operations and event execution for a growing entertainment startup, managing cross-functional teams, budgets, and vendor partnerships to deliver large-scale community and cultural events across Ireland. Key Achievements: Managed logistics for 10+ high-profile music and cultural events, each with 300–1,000 attendees. Oversaw budgeting, contract negotiations, and scheduling to ensure on-time, on-budget project delivery. Collaborated with sponsors and local businesses to enhance reach and secure event funding. Introduced AI-assisted attendee engagement tools, improving RSVP accuracy by 40%. Tracked project performance through Airtable dashboards, improving decision-making and accountability.

  • Apache Pizza (4 yrs 10 mos)
    • Operations Manager - Tacito Foods Ltd
      Mar 2014 - Jan 2017 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Summary: Led multi-unit operations for five Apache Pizza restaurants across the Dublin region. Responsible for driving operational excellence, team performance, and financial results across all locations. Key Achievements: Successfully managed the day-to-day operations of five high-volume restaurants, maintaining brand consistency and exceeding customer satisfaction targets. Improved overall net profit margins by 12% by optimizing labor scheduling, introducing cost-effective suppliers, and implementing menu engineering strategies. Ensured 100% compliance with health and safety regulations through monthly audits and continuous staff training. Built and mentored a strong pipeline of store-level leaders, reducing staff turnover and improving internal promotions. Strengthened local brand presence by partnering with regional suppliers and participating in community engagement initiatives.

    • General Manager - Tacito Foods Ltd
      Apr 2012 - Mar 2014 · 2 yrs

      Summary: Directed all aspects of restaurant operations including staffing, service delivery, supply chain management, and financial performance. Focused on improving profitability, customer satisfaction, and compliance in a high-demand food service environment. Key Achievements: Managed FOH and BOH operations for a busy fast-casual restaurant serving 500+ guests daily. Recruited, trained, and led a team of 30+ staff across kitchen, service, and delivery functions. Improved gross profit margins by 15% through menu cost analysis and vendor negotiations. Implemented hygiene and safety standards that resulted in 100% compliance during inspections. Introduced scheduling software to streamline shift planning and reduce labor overruns. Oversaw inventory and procurement, cutting waste by 20% while maintaining stock availability.