Joseph Fields
Gaffney
Summary
Customer and client oriented General Manager with forty years of experience focused on increasing revenues and retaining accounts with a high level of customer satisfaction. Strong leader and problem solver with a proven track record of sound judgment, problem solving skills, excellent planning abilities with a willingness to learn and grow.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager for Dining Services
Sodexo @ Limestone University
06.2013 - Current
- Managed the initial setup and launch of Limestone University Dining as part of the acquisition team.
- Responsible for all aspects of the operation including budgeting for both P& L and Cost Plus contracts to Sodexo standards.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Led setup and opening of two retail concepts in new student center on campus.
- Excellent Customer Relationship scores in every category.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Southeast Region Safety Coordinator for two years.
Catering Manager/District Catering Coordinator
Sodexo @ Presbyterian College Dining Services
02.2009 - 01.2013
- Responsible for all aspects of Catering at Presbyterian College with an annual sales volume of $200K.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs. Designed catering packages to increase sales and customer experience.
- Hired and trained both permanent and temporary staff members.
- Coordinated with event planners for floor and table layouts, guest numbers, and overall catering needs.
- Worked with chefs to plan menus according to client needs and budgets.
- Organized and Implemented Flavours Catering Brand as District Catering Coordinator.
Retail Manager/ Catering Manager
Sodexo @ Gardner Webb University Dining
09.2007 - 02.2009
- Managed a staff of eight full-time and part-time employees.
- Effectively allocated tasks during high-traffic times to keep operations running smoothly and employees focused.
- Completed daily paperwork and computer entry of sales data as established by management.
- Created daily specials to increase retail traffic in a previously meal equivalency driven unit.
- Developed other traffic building events for the unit, ie. Superbowl Parties, Trivia Nights, Video Game contests etc.
- Responsible for inventory and ordering of food for the unit.
- Assumed Catering Manager responsibilities in addition to Retail Duties while at GWU.
- Planned and executed 700-1000 guest banquets numerous times during tenure at GWU.
Catering Manager/ K-12 School Cafeteria Manager
Sodexo @ Converse College Dining
11.2003 - 09.2007
- Very hands on Catering Manager position.
- Booked, planned and executed large quantity of small events personally or with minimal assistance.
- Planned and executed New College Presidential Inauguration events with assistance of temporary staff and District Support.
- Place orders, scheduled, handled meal plan payments, hired and trained new employees for a small private K-12 school in conjunction with Catering Manager duties.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
Director of Dining Services
Sunrise Assisted Living
08.2000 - 10.2003
- Responsible for day to day operations of Resident Dining for a 180 bed upscale assisted living facility.
- Handled all customer service issues, sanitation, hiring, training, inventory and discipline for a staff of 30 employees.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Oversaw food preparation and monitored safety protocols.
Kitchen Manager
Copeland’s of New Orleans
07.1998 - 07.2000
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.
Assistant General Manager
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
07.1995 - 07.2000
- Enforced quality assurance protocols to deliver ideal customer experiences.
- Mentored and motivated team members to achieve challenging business goals.
- Resolved problems promptly to elevate customer approval.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Management
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, PAFood Service Specialist
United States Army
Active Duty & ReserveHigh School -
Mount Union Area High School
Mount UnionSkills
- Two decades of experience in General Management, Catering, Retail, Labor Management and Inventory Control
- Full responsibility for creating and adhering to all aspects of budgeting for Resident and Retail Dining
- Sales building using company wide procedures and out of the box thinking
- Building interpersonal relationships with clients in order to work toward a common goal
- Able to work under pressure and remain calm while adapting to changing situations
- Ensuring safety and HACCP standards are being met daily
- Ability to work with and direct diverse groups of employees and clients over multiple units
- Proficient in all Microsoft applications
- Recipes and menu planning
- Customer Relations
Value Statement
Proven Sodexo GM with track record of improving standards and revenue at the Unit level with forecasted 2025 revenues almost double that of 2014.
Timeline
General Manager for Dining Services
Sodexo @ Limestone University
06.2013 - Current
Catering Manager/District Catering Coordinator
Sodexo @ Presbyterian College Dining Services
02.2009 - 01.2013
Retail Manager/ Catering Manager
Sodexo @ Gardner Webb University Dining
09.2007 - 02.2009
Catering Manager/ K-12 School Cafeteria Manager
Sodexo @ Converse College Dining
11.2003 - 09.2007
Director of Dining Services
Sunrise Assisted Living
08.2000 - 10.2003
Kitchen Manager
Copeland’s of New Orleans
07.1998 - 07.2000
Assistant General Manager
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
07.1995 - 07.2000
Bachelor of Science - Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Management
The Pennsylvania State University
Food Service Specialist
United States Army
High School -
Mount Union Area High School
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