Get to know Zambrero’s new Chief Operations Officer
Gina Kim has been appointed COO.
Zambrero announced the appointment of Gina Kim as the brand’s new Chief Operations Officer.
Kim holds an extensive background in marketing and operational roles. She was also the former National Operations and Business Manager of Video Ezy & Blockbuster.
Below is a Q&A with Gina Kim, Zambrero’s new Chief Operations Officer.
QSR Media: What makes you excited about your new position?
Kim: To be part of an organisation that is giving back to the community through its Plate 4 Plate initiative makes working for Zambrero very rewarding, but also to be part of an organisation that has proven to have a successful business formula domestically to now be on the verge of international expansion and to be able to implement quality systems and service to support the growing demand is an exciting prospect.
QSR Media: What 3 goals are you focussed on?
Kim: a) Identifying key areas where we can deliver increased value to our Franchise Partners through a mix of short and long-term initiatives.
b) Review our operational procedures and processes to support the growing demand for new restaurant openings, as well as resources we supply to our existing Franchise Partners to ensure they maintain a competitive edge.
c) Inspire, lead, mentor and challenge my team so they feel a sense of reward and accomplishment everyday and strive for quality.
QSR Media: What will you do differently in this position?
Kim: Knowing Zambrero's growth plans, the experience and talent of my team and the nimbleness of the organisation to continually challenge the status quo and raise the bar, it's ensuring that we keep challenging
the way we lead and support the business and being flexible enough to embrace change.
QSR Media: What changes are you planning for?
Kim: The key focus over the last 12 months has been on cementing our existing Franchisee base. This will continue to be a priority.
However, knowing the level of market interest from prospective Franchise Partners that has been brewing over the last 12 months, it's creating scalable systems and efficiencies now that will enable us to meet and support this demand whilst ensuring that our current Customer base continues to receive the highest levels of service and resources.
QSR Media: What are your key business philosophies?
Kim: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts - focus on unearthing and harnessing the talent of your people.
Embrace diversity and necessary change- no-one has a monopoly on ideas and ensure you have the right mix of people dedicated to a specific initiative to achieve the best outcome Leadership and Direction- in a period of growth and change, it's critical that there is continually strong leadership and direction given to your People and Customers.
QSR Media: What previous positions prepared you for this one and how?
Kim: Setting up end-to-end business and communication systems for the first franchise DVD vending Kiosk business in the world for Video Ezy and Blockbuster in Australia to well exceed Year 1 targets, as well as exceed the network numbers of our competitors in their first year definitely cemented my strong discipline and skill not only operationally, but also harnessed my strategic management skills across marketing, property, franchisee relations, finance, business development and system support.
Successful development and launch of Video Ezy's first proprietary rewards and loyalty program requiring me to deep dive into other cross-functional areas allowed me to deepen my understanding of the capacity, considerations and interests of other areas which will now allow me to provide effective leadership across broader business areas.
Being a franchisee within the health industry in 2009 and successfully opening a second office within less than 12 months in the competitive Sydney CBD market not only equipped me with practical business management skills, but also allowed me to first hand develop an empathy and understanding of what a franchisee experiences on a daily basis.
