Avery Shelton
North Little Rock
Summary
With over 25 years of progressive management and leadership experience in the food service industry, this candidate has demonstrated expertise in various areas. This includes a proven ability in facilities design and delivering exciting dining concepts, providing vision and formulating strategic approaches. They create a hospitality-driven environment through employee engagement and training, ensuring a positive experience for both customers and staff. Additionally, they have built strong partnerships with clients, students, and community groups, fostering valuable connections. With effective general management skills in training and development, staff supervision, cost control, purchasing, and strategic planning, this candidate is well-equipped to drive success in any food service organization.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manger
ARAMARK, Higher Education
07.2017 - Current
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Leads a team that provides operational expertise in contracted services while providing hands-on execution management of operations.
- Manages the client and community relationships at the location, continually assessing operations, and developing plans to provide optimal service and drive
employee and customer satisfaction. - Builds, develops, and leads a management team and staff capable of carrying out organizational objectives.
- Recommends methods, resources, and implementation for service improvement and growth based on understanding of operational needs, capabilities, &
contractual obligations. - In partnership with Finance, manages a budget and assists in the design of improvements to optimize financial performance and operational productivity.
- Manages compliance with all local, state and federal regulations and codes and maintains all associated records and reports.
- Ensures compliance with Aramark's standards of operation including safety standards and Aramark's Business Conduct Policy at all times.
General Manager, Retail
Aramark Higher Education
01.2016 - 06.2017
- Responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating dining activities to deliver client and institutionally focused dining program
- Establishing and maintaining high student satisfaction through ongoing communication with key student groups and leaders
- Actively lead menu planning and customized program development
- Ensure full compliance with sanitation and safety requirements
- Directly supervise managers; responsible for hiring, coaching, and performance management
- Participate in location forecasting, accounting, and inventory
- Coordinate activities with other internal departments
- Interface with vendors and key service users within client organization
General Manager
Aramark Higher Education
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Provided advocacy for students, clients, employees, and community
- Developed maintained a safety culture to create a safe and work environment, protecting employees from injury
- Established and maintained high levels of quality through production systems and procedures for the ordering, receiving, storage, preparation, and serving of food
- Ensured full compliance with sanitation and safety requirements
- Responsible for budgeting, accounting, and inventory
- Coordinated and supervised unit personnel regarding production, merchandising, quality and cost control, and labor management
- Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, and development of front-line associates
- Drove customer service and employee engagement through effective use of customer and employee engagement surveys
- Interacted with client management, maintaining effective client and customer relations at all levels within the campus community
- Developed annual marketing plan for account
- Implemented new products and services in support of growth and retention
General Manager
Aramark Higher Education
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Trained and developed managers to deliver on Aramark brand promises while helping to realize improvements in productivity and customer service
- Successfully delivered comprehensive, measurable performance improvement and succession plans for the entire Concordia Dining team
- Sponsored students and coordinated community events to help the homeless and promote a healthy lifestyle
- Collaborated with on-site and regional marketing team to promote continued growth at the account
- Utilized student and community feedback mechanisms to identify student, faculty, and staff needs and desires
- Consistently monitored daily operations in all units, taking necessary actions to achieve targeted goals
- Encouraged input from faculty, staff, and students to improve and develop new concepts to meet campus needs and desires
- Actively participated in and supported student activities, initiatives, and events
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with client liaison and members of the Concordia community
Assistant Director
Aramark Higher Education
01.2003 - 01.2012
- Assisted in the creation of win-win partnerships by providing exceptional food and service
- Held oversight responsibilities for catering functions on the Spelman campus
- Worked to increase sustainability awareness on campus
Location Manager
Aramark Higher Education
01.1998 - 01.2003
- Planned, directed, and coordinated food service activities, serving over 1,500 customers per meal
- Operated multi-brand locations, including Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Grab-N-Go
- Maintained a 90 percentile or higher rating on Health Inspections
Education
Associate of Science - Aircraft Maintenace
Albany Technical College
Albany, GA05-1993
Skills
- Leadership and team building
- Problem resolution
- Operations management
- Team player
- Team leadership
- Time management
- Effective leader
- Customer relations
- Training and development
- Staff training/development
- Inventory control
- Staff supervision
- Goal setting
Timeline
General Manger
ARAMARK, Higher Education
07.2017 - Current
General Manager, Retail
Aramark Higher Education
01.2016 - 06.2017
General Manager
Aramark Higher Education
01.2014 - 01.2016
General Manager
Aramark Higher Education
01.2012 - 01.2014
Assistant Director
Aramark Higher Education
01.2003 - 01.2012
Location Manager
Aramark Higher Education
01.1998 - 01.2003
Associate of Science - Aircraft Maintenace
Albany Technical College
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