ANDREA GONZALEZ
Denver,CO
Summary
Dynamic Child Nutrition Professional with over a decade of experience in food service operations, committed to enhancing processes, increasing efficiency, and minimizing costs. Proven success in streamlining operations and elevating team performance through proactive leadership and collaboration. Exceptional communication skills combined with strategic planning expertise facilitate effective problem-solving and the achievement of organizational objectives. Passionate about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and delivering high-quality nutrition services.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
Sla Management
Denver, CO
04.2026 - Current
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
Regional Manager
KIPP Texas Public Schools
Austin
11.2023 - 04.2026
- Lead and manage child nutrition operations for the entire Austin region, including overseeing cafeteria operations for 4,500 students and driving employee professional development initiatives.
- Collaborate with Executive Chef to design and develop menus at all levels, incorporating USDA Foods entitlement and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring alignment with a 35% food budget target.
- Procure goods and services in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, while maintaining close collaboration with the Texas 20 Purchasing Cooperative to ensure efficient and cost-effective purchasing processes.
- Successfully implemented an improved labor model that optimized job duties, increased efficiency, and better aligned staffing with operational needs.
Area Supervisor
Austin ISD Food Service
Austin
06.2021 - 11.2023
- Manage operations of 16–21 school cafeterias, overseeing cafeteria managers and general staff to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Develop and optimize schedules to align staffing levels with projected meal participation, ensuring efficient service and coverage.
- Monitor and evaluate employee performance, addressing issues and implementing corrective actions to boost efficiency, while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Supervised two sites during the Administrative Review, achieving flawless results with no findings for lunch and grab-and-go breakfast services.
Cafeteria Manager
Northside ISD Child Nutrition
San Antonio
09.2019 - 06.2021
- Delegated daily responsibilities and tasks to staff, improving service quality, individual accountability, and adherence to sanitary standards.
- Conducted regular inventory counts of ingredients and supplies in kitchen and storage areas to ensure accurate stock levels and minimize waste.
- Oversaw food preparation and enforced safety protocols in alignment with district Standard Operating Procedures and federal regulations.
- Managed site operations during COVID-19 emergency curbside feeding, ensuring efficient meal distribution and compliance with health guidelines.
Floating Cafeteria Manager
Judson ISD Child Nutrition
San Antonio
01.2019 - 09.2019
- Completed and reviewed all paperwork, identifying discrepancies and addressing them promptly to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Managed an elementary school site during the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Administrative Review, achieving flawless results with no findings.
- Contributed to pilot programs for Breakfast in the Classroom and the CACFP At-Risk Supper program at multiple sites, supporting program implementation and success.
Kitchen Manager
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
San Antonio
08.2017 - 11.2018
- Provided comprehensive training to staff in food preparation and customer-facing roles, fostering strong team performance and service excellence.
- Conducted regular kitchen inspections to assess food preparation quality, service standards, food appearance, and cleanliness of production and service areas.
- Continuously evaluated operational workflows to ensure optimal area coverage, enhance efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction.
FOH Manager
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
San Antonio
01.2016 - 08.2017
- Fostered excellent customer service by coaching staff, role modeling positive behaviors, and integrating customer feedback to enhance service quality.
- Ensured adherence to safe work practices, food safety regulations, and corporate guidelines to maintain a high standard of operations.
- Resolved customer complaints and disputes promptly, addressing grievances to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
Education
Master of Science - Nutrition
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio12-2021
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg12-2016
Skills
- Performance Management & Coaching
- Labor Cost Management
- Health & Safety Compliance
- Cross-Departmental Communication
Certification
- Food Manager - State Food Safety Texas
- Level 5 Certification - Texas Association of School Nutrition
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
General Manager
Sla Management
04.2026 - Current
Regional Manager
KIPP Texas Public Schools
11.2023 - 04.2026
Area Supervisor
Austin ISD Food Service
06.2021 - 11.2023
Cafeteria Manager
Northside ISD Child Nutrition
09.2019 - 06.2021
Floating Cafeteria Manager
Judson ISD Child Nutrition
01.2019 - 09.2019
Kitchen Manager
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
08.2017 - 11.2018
FOH Manager
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
01.2016 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master of Science - Nutrition
University of the Incarnate Word