Dale Stewart: Senior IT Manager and Operations Leader at The Keg Steakhouse + Bar in Ladner, British Columbia
Dale Stewart is a highly accomplished Senior IT Manager at The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, a renowned upscale restaurant chain, based in Ladner, British Columbia, Canada. With over two decades of experience in the hospitality and operations management sectors, Stewart has played a pivotal role in driving technological advancements and operational excellence within the company. His extensive background in IT systems, strategic planning, and team leadership makes him a key figure in The Keg’s ongoing success.
In this article, we will delve into Dale Stewart’s career, his educational background, his significant contributions to The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, and his expertise in transforming operations to optimize efficiency and enhance customer experience.
Career Overview of Dale Stewart
Senior IT Manager at The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
Dale Stewart has been a cornerstone of The Keg Steakhouse + Bar for over two decades, starting his journey with the company in the early 1990s. He currently serves as the Senior IT Manager, where he has significantly improved the company’s IT infrastructure, ensuring smooth operations and efficient data management across multiple locations. Stewart’s career trajectory has seen him assume roles with increasing responsibility, starting as a General Manager and advancing to his current position.
Since September 2021, Stewart has been instrumental in executing several key initiatives at The Keg, focusing on streamlining operations and improving internal systems. His leadership and technical acumen have made him an invaluable member of the team, contributing to the restaurant chain’s growth and success.
System Training Manager and General Manager Roles
Before stepping into his current position, Stewart held roles that deepened his expertise in both operations management and IT. As the System Training Manager from March 2012 to September 2021, he was responsible for the training and implementation of new systems across The Keg Steakhouse + Bar’s corporate office. During this period, he worked with different teams to ensure smooth transitions when introducing new technologies to the company’s operational framework.
In addition to his role as a System Training Manager, Stewart worked as a General Manager from 2002 to 2012. This decade-long experience in managing restaurant operations provided him with a strong foundation in business planning, team leadership, and performance management—skills that have contributed to his success in the IT sector later in his career.
Dale Stewart’s Key Achievements
As Senior IT Manager, Dale Stewart has successfully managed numerous IT projects, driving the technological transformation of The Keg Steakhouse + Bar. Let’s take a closer look at some of his significant accomplishments:
1. Migration to Cloud-Based Systems
One of Stewart’s most notable achievements has been his leadership in migrating data from traditional databases to a cloud platform for food tracking purposes. This ambitious project affected over 100 stores and approximately 500-700 managers, ensuring that the company could efficiently track food inventory across multiple locations. The migration was executed seamlessly, minimizing downtime and disruption, and positioning The Keg for future growth in its operational processes.
2. Email System Overhaul
Stewart played a key role in the migration of The Keg’s email system from Telus to Outlook 365, overseeing the transition of 300 emails and users. This complex project, which took 14 months to complete, required meticulous planning and attention to detail to ensure minimal disruption. By managing the migration effectively, Stewart ensured that the company maintained its communication capabilities without compromising on internal productivity.
3. Liquor Pricing Rollout
Another significant achievement of Stewart was his leadership in the rollout of new liquor pricing for 10,000 screen touchpoints. Through thorough pre-audit processes, Stewart and his team achieved a remarkable 99% accuracy in the pricing updates. This achievement greatly enhanced operational efficiency and helped The Keg maintain its competitive edge in the industry.
4. Automated Pricing Model
Dale Stewart also engineered an automated pricing model that streamlined the management of seven distinct pricing structures for franchisees. The system reduced the time required for pricing modeling from weeks to just 20 minutes, offering a more agile approach to pricing adjustments across multiple locations. This innovation has been crucial for various future feature rollouts and has made pricing management significantly more efficient.
5. Streamlined Year-End Procedures
Stewart’s impact on operations also extends to the financial side of the business. During a company acquisition, he collaborated with accountants to streamline the year-end procedures for 54 stores. By refining the inventory and recount process, Stewart reduced the time required from 10-15 days to just one workday. This not only saved time but also improved the accuracy and quality of data collected during audits.
Education and Technical Acumen
Dale Stewart’s technical acumen and strategic planning abilities are underpinned by his strong educational background. He earned a Business Administration degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 1988, laying the foundation for his expertise in operations and management. Additionally, Stewart holds a Basic SQL Certification from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), which further enhanced his skills in data management and analysis.
His expertise with a variety of software and tools, including Dayforce, Squirrel, FoodTrack, and Microsoft Office Suite, has been crucial to his success in optimizing The Keg’s IT systems and operations.
Personal Leadership Style
Dale Stewart is known for his proactive and meticulous approach to leadership. He excels at analyzing complex data and identifying areas for improvement, driving innovation within the organization. Stewart is not only focused on optimizing operations but also fosters strong interpersonal relationships with stakeholders at all levels. His ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with various teams has allowed him to lead successfully in both IT and operations management.
Stewart’s commitment to continuous improvement and quality assurance ensures that he consistently drives organizational goals, making him an invaluable asset to The Keg Steakhouse + Bar.
Conclusion
Dale Stewart’s extensive experience and contributions have greatly impacted the success of The Keg Steakhouse + Bar. As Senior IT Manager, his leadership in IT migrations, process optimization, and operational improvements has set the company on a path of continued growth and success. His educational background, technical expertise, and commitment to excellence make him a standout professional in the fields of IT and operations management.
Through his innovative thinking, attention to detail, and dedication to improvement, Dale Stewart has proven himself as a key player in The Keg Steakhouse + Bar’s operations, ensuring the company continues to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry.
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