Melannie Too

I lead operations for a growing group of 10 F&B outlets spanning bistros, cafes, and restaurants under BH Unicorn. My day-to-day is all about balancing good food, great service, and smooth operations — while making sure each brand thrives in its own unique way. What I do (in a nutshell): 🍽 Keep Things Running Smoothly - Oversee day-to-day ops across all outlets — from lunch rushes to last-call cocktails - Roll out strategic plans that drive growth and keep us competitive - Dive into data (and real-world feedback) to fix problems before they hit the floor 📊 Own the Numbers - Full P&L responsibility — setting targets, managing costs, and watching those margins - Use financial insights to make smarter, faster decisions 👥 Lead People, Build Culture - Mentor a fantastic team of Area & Outlet Managers - Create a workplace where high performance and great vibes coexist - Drive recruitment, training, and succession planning for our ops teams ⭐ Champion Guest Experience - Make sure our guests leave happy (and come back hungry) - Align every outlet with our brand story, from plating to playlists - Monitor reviews and feedback — and act fast when needed 🚨 Keep Us Compliant & Crisis-Ready - Stay on top of all the must-dos: safety, hygiene, labor laws - Step in when things go sideways, with a cool head and a solid plan 🚀 Support Growth & Expansion - Work with the BizDev team on openings, renovations, and everything in between - Ensure new outlets launch strong and stabilize quickly 🤝 Collaborate Across the Board - Partner with HR, Procurement, Finance, Marketing, and Culinary teams to roll out projects that actually work - Contribute ops insight to campaigns, events, and menu launches

UPGen is a platform for growth for both start-ups and corporates. We unshackle businesses in Southeast Asia by designing, operating and financing office space solutions that flex and grow with the needs of the business. As the Site Manager, my role at UPGen is to: • Creator of collaborative communities: Constantly curating creative avenues for communities to collaborate • Client servicing: Taking all clients as friends first, building good relationships and taking operational headaches out of their businesses • Event planning: Oversee and execute events that build good vibes and generate leads • Business matching: Constantly helping to partner members and proactively helping to create synergy between companies • Best practices planning: Creating plans to ensure clients get the best experience in the space • SOPs: Training and bringing up a team that adhere to but not confined to the SOPs set to create a symbiotic team • Memberships and Contracts: Oversee and approve all agreements, move-ins, renewals and move-out agreements • Supply chain management: Manage and maintain relationship with all vendors, suppliers and landlord • Building management: Resolve any repairs, maintenance or updates required in the building

Led the daily operations and strategic growth initiatives for an education services company focused on student recruitment, learning program management, and client engagement. Played a key role in driving enrollment growth, optimizing processes, and strengthening the company’s market presence through creative marketing and operational excellence. As the Operations Manager, my role is to : Business Operations & Leadership: Directed day-to-day activities across academic, administrative, and marketing functions to ensure smooth business performance and student satisfaction. Marketing & Student Recruitment: Designed and executed marketing campaigns across digital and social media platforms to attract new students and build brand awareness, resulting in measurable growth in enrolment. Process Optimization: Improved operational workflows and communication systems to enhance efficiency, response time, and service quality. Financial & Administrative Oversight: Managed operational budgets, expense tracking, and account updates to ensure financial accuracy and timely reporting. Talent Development: Recruited, trained, and supervised new employees, fostering a team-oriented culture aligned with company values and goals. Client & Stakeholder Relations: Built and maintained strong relationships with students, parents, and institutional partners to ensure retention and long-term satisfaction. Strategic Planning: Collaborated with management to develop strategies that supported program expansion and brand positioning in the education market.

Oversaw full-scale operations for a specialty dessert café renowned for its creative menu and strong presence in Melbourne’s café scene. Led a diverse team and managed all aspects of business performance from daily operations and customer engagement to marketing initiatives and event management, ensuring consistent service quality and brand growth. As the Outlet Manager, my role is to : Operational Management: Directed end-to-end café operations, including inventory control, production workflow, and quality assurance, ensuring smooth service across peak and off-peak hours. Team Leadership: Recruited, trained, and supervised front-of-house and kitchen staff, fostering a motivated, customer-focused culture that consistently delivered exceptional service. Performance & Process Improvement: Streamlined order management, stock rotation, and scheduling systems to improve efficiency and reduce wastage. Customer Experience Excellence: Maintained high service standards and implemented strategies to enhance guest satisfaction and retention, reflected in strong repeat business and positive online reviews. Collaborations and Partnerships: Organized influencer collaborations and tasting events with members of Melbourne’s food blogging community, boosting online reach and in-store traffic. Partnered with local food tour operators to feature Dex2rose as a key stop, strengthening visibility and diversifying customer segments. Financial & Sales Oversight: Monitored daily sales performance, optimized menu pricing, and managed supplier relationships to ensure profitability. Trend Analysis & Innovation: Conducted regular market and social media trend analyses to inform product development and promotional direction, helping maintain a strong and relevant brand identity.

Played a key role in managing the pastry and dessert operations of one of Sydney’s most celebrated high-volume cafés, known for its inventive modern Australian cuisine. Supported the Head Pastry Chef in overseeing production, maintaining quality consistency, and driving innovation in the dessert menu. As the Pastry Chef, my role is : Section Leadership: Managed daily operations of the pastry department, ensuring efficient production, portion control, and presentation standards for all plated desserts, cakes, and pastries. Production Oversight: Oversaw mise en place, baking, assembly, and service flow to maintain consistent output during peak hours while meeting high standards of quality and speed. Menu Development: Contributed to the creation and testing of new desserts, incorporating seasonal ingredients and modern techniques to enhance the brand’s culinary reputation. Team Training & Supervision: Recruited, trained, and mentored interns and junior pastry staff, focusing on skill development, food safety, and work discipline in a fast-paced environment. Inventory & Cost Control: Monitored ingredient usage, managed supplier orders, and implemented portion control measures to minimize wastage and maintain cost efficiency. Quality & Hygiene Standards: Ensured full compliance with HACCP and food safety protocols, maintaining cleanliness, organization, and consistent preparation standards across the pastry kitchen. Cross-Department Collaboration: Worked closely with kitchen and service teams to align production timing and plating standards with overall menu execution. Operational Excellence: Supported Head Chef in kitchen administration, including shift scheduling, supplier coordination, and documentation for internal audits.

Played a pioneering role in establishing the gelato production operations for one of Malaysia’s most recognized artisanal ice cream brands. Worked closely with the founder to build production systems from scratch, overseeing every stage from recipe development to final output, while maintaining exceptional product quality and efficiency in a small-scale, high-performance environment. As a Gelatiere, my role is : Founding Operations: Collaborated directly with the founder to set up the brand’s first gelato production facility, including equipment selection, workflow design, and the creation of standard operating procedures. Hands-On Production: Independently managed all aspects of gelato production — from ingredient preparation and base formulation to churning, aging, and storage — ensuring each batch met brand standards. Recipe Development & Innovation: Partnered with the founder in developing and testing original gelato recipes, experimenting with local ingredients and new flavor combinations to shape the brand’s signature range. Quality Assurance: Personally conducted quality checks on texture, taste, and consistency to maintain premium standards across all flavors produced. Supply & Inventory Management: Monitored raw material usage, maintained precise inventory levels, and coordinated with suppliers to ensure uninterrupted production. Operational Efficiency: Streamlined daily production schedules to meet outlet demands and optimize output with limited manpower. Customer Experience Support: Assisted in early product launches, tastings, and brand events, ensuring that the product quality reflected the company’s artisanal positioning.

Provided administrative and legal support in a boutique law firm specializing in civil and corporate matters. Worked closely with senior lawyers and clerks across multiple case files, assisting in document preparation, client servicing, and court procedures. Developed strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills through hands-on exposure to legal operations and client management. As a Legal Intern, my role is : Document Preparation & Translation: Assisted in translating legal documents from English to Bahasa Malaysia and vice versa, ensuring clarity and accuracy for court submissions. Quality Control: Conducted meticulous proofreading and quality checks on legal filings, ensuring all documentation adhered to court formatting and procedural requirements. Court Proceedings: Accompanied superiors to court hearings, taking detailed notes to record proceedings and support post-hearing documentation. Client & Case Management: Attended client meetings alongside senior lawyers, taking minutes and helping to organize follow-up actions and document filing. Filing & Service of Documents: Supported administrative operations, including filing court documents, preparing bundles, serving documents to opposing counsel, and maintaining case records. Cross-Functional Support: Provided assistance across all departments, demonstrating flexibility and a strong work ethic in managing various legal and administrative tasks. Professional Development: Gained foundational experience in legal process management, client communication, and the importance of confidentiality and precision within professional environments.