Customer Service Food

DEBORAH VAN COUGHNETT

**** ********* *****

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

203-***-**** cell

adtdlz@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/deborahvancoughnett

SUMMARY

Highly accomplished, versatile Food Service Director known for providing exceptional customer service and generating high levels of customer satisfaction. Consistent record of identifying opportunities which lead to increased sales and reduced costs while exceeding customer and client expectations. A career history of turning around under-performing operations and developing enhancements to ensure high quality services. Recognized for excellent leadership, problem solving and relationship building. Areas of expertise include:

Subsidy/P&L Contract Management

Budgeting/Forecasting

Culinary/Catering Knowledge

Project Management/Presentations

Depth & Breadth of Industry Experience

Professionalism

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

KITCHFIX/PERFORMANCE FOOD SERVICE, Port Charlotte, FL 2021-Present

General Manager Tampa Bay Rays Sports Nutrition Dining Program

COMPASS GROUP USA, Charlotte, NC 2010-2021

Director of Dining Services-Lakehouse West Retirement Community, Sarasota, FL

HR/On-boarding Specialist-Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

Director of Dining Services-Westport Public Schools, Westport, CT

Transitioned from Eurest and FLIK to Chartwells K-12, bringing a vast knowledge of retail focus, customer service and high standards to transform the districts food service program from basic school lunch to a retail food court atmosphere. Increased sales by more than 4.3% year over year while decreasing food cost by 4% and labor by 2.67%. Awarded “Account of the Year” for the Northeast region in 2017.

Director of Dining-Hewitt/Xerox/ Bridgewater Associates, Norwalk, Ct.

Retail/Catering Director-Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT

Director of Dining Services/National Account Marketing Manager

Began with Compass Group/Eurest as the National Account Marketing Mgr. for UTC global contract, coordinating account activities, training personnel and implementing new marketing initiatives across the national contract, driving sales, check average and participation while improving customer satisfaction.

Directed 28 openings across the country, bringing accounts up to clients’ service level standards within the first year, adding numerous enhancements including, marketing improvements & dining center upgrades.

ARAMARK DINING SERVICES 1986 - 2010

Held increasingly responsible roles within ARAMARK, managing client accounts, shown below:

General Manager-United Healthcare, Trumbull, CT,

Managed daily operations for 3 Cafes, catering, vending and commissary operation for broad campus requiring daily transportation. Recognized for significantly improving operations on all key metrics.

• Increased catering sales 20% by hosting bi-annual catering fairs & newly developed menus.

• Decreased labor costs 43% by implementing productivity & scheduling tools.

• Decreased food cost 2% by executing production records, recipe standards & tracking.

General Manager-Hewitt Associates, Norwalk, CT,

Designed and implemented a free dining program for 600 corporate employees.

• Operated contract at 15% below required cost per customer.

Regional General Manager, Fairfield County, CT,

Executed management responsibilities by coordinating and directing personnel and activities to support 9 Dining Service operations across Fairfield County. Provided immediate support and feedback to team while assessing developmental needs. Responsibilities spanned a wide range of areas with focus on customer service standards, client relations, food presentation skills, training and development, marketing, merchandising, catering and human resources

• Exceeded operational goals and improved client relations for new accounts, as well as long term customers, resulting in 100% client retention.

• Led the opening teams for new account openings with top-tier clients including Cendant Mobility, GE Capital, Hewitt Associates and Progressive Insurance.

Food Service Director in multiple accounts in Fairfield County within ARAMARK, 1995-2002

Operated full service dining facilities with minimal staffing by applying hands-on management to fulfill operational needs.

• Exceeded targeted sales and profit during the first year at each account by revamping menus, showcasing promotions and improving customer satisfaction.

Catering Manager/Food Service Director/GM-IBM, Kingston, NY, 1986 - 1995

Transitioned quickly to General Manager as the scope of the contract reduced and needs of the position expanded. Managed campus consisting of 4 cafes, 3 satellites, vending, catering and an off-site Recreation Center serving over 6000 customers per day.

• Awarded ARAMARK "Manager of the Year"

• Received ARAMARK "Strength of Excellence" award.

• Spearheaded ARAMARK's involvement supporting vocational programs for disabled individuals.

• Received "NYS Supported Employment Association" special recognition award for extensive participation in their program

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• AAS Hotel/Restaurant/Food Service Management, SUNY Delhi-Delhi, NY

• ARAMARK/CIA Culinary program, Culinary Institute of America-Hyde Park, NY

• Serve Safe Certification and Proctor-current, National Restaurant Association

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