Michelle Jelinek
General Manager @Olive Garden
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WORK HISTORY
General Manager @Olive Garden
Mooresville, NC, US
Leadership & People Management Lead, coach, and develop a team of 96+ employees, including 3 salaried managers, through daily coaching, performance feedback, and structured development plans Mentor and prepare managers for advancement to build a strong internal leadership pipeline Conduct regular performance reviews, goal-setting conversations, corrective action, and career development coachingHuman Resources & Talent Operations Own full-cycle hiring, onboarding, training, and retention for hourly and management roles Select candidates using behavioral-based interviewing and talent assessment Employee relations, including corrective action, terminations, and compliance Complete and manage I-9s, E-Verify, HR documentation, orientations, and LMSBusiness Operations & Performance Management Manage daily operations while meeting or exceeding KPIs and performance goals Analyze labor, productivity, and operational data to forecast staffing needs and optimize scheduling Prioritize resources and workflows in a fast-paced environment to ensure excellence Oversee inventory control, ordering, receiving, vendor relations, and cost managementAdministrative & Strategic Responsibilities Conduct weekly leadership meetings and present performance updates Maintain compliance with health and safety standards Execute scheduling, forecasting, payroll-related approvals, and administrative reportingCustomer Experience & Issue Resolution Lead guest recovery and issue resolution, balancing customer satisfaction with team advocacy Coach team members on service recovery, communication, and de-escalation strategiesCulture, Engagement & Community Drive team morale and engagement during high-pressure shifts through proactive leadership and communication Plan and lead team-building initiatives, recognition events, and community outreach programs Advocate for managers and team members while reinforcing company values and culture
EDUCATION
East Carolina University
BS, Communication and Media Studies
Strayer University-Maryland
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Marketing
SKILLS
ABOUT MICHELLE JELINEK
I am a people-focused leader with over a decade of experience developing high-performing teams, building future leaders, and creating environments where individuals can grow, stay engaged, and succeed. My passion lies in helping people reach their potential while ensuring business goals, performance standards, and culture are aligned.Throughout my career, I have led large, diverse teams and managers, supported full-cycle hiring and onboarding, facilitated training and development, and coached individuals through performance conversations and career progression. I am especially energized by identifying talent, building leadership pipelines, and mentoring others as they prepare for their next level of responsibility.I thrive in fast-paced environments that require strong prioritization, data-informed decision-making, and thoughtful people leadership. I bring structure to complex operations, balance empathy with accountability, and focus on clear communication to drive results. Whether navigating employee relations, performance management, or organizational change, I lead with fairness, consistency, and respect.What motivates me most is fostering strong cultures — places where people feel supported, challenged, and valued. I believe engaged teams drive better outcomes, and I am deeply committed to developing leaders who can coach, inspire, and deliver results at scale.My experience spans people operations, talent development, training, and leadership at scale, and I am passionate about applying these strengths in environments that value growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
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