Candace Wardyga
Buckeye,AZ
Summary
Experienced operations manager with 10+ years of leadership in high‑volume environments. Skilled in team supervision, scheduling, hiring, HR coordination, reporting, and cross‑department support. Known for strong communication, problem‑solving, and the ability to maintain smooth operations under pressure. Seeking opportunities in management, operations, customer service, or administrative support.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager
Sodexo - Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Oversaw daily operations ensuring efficient workflow and high-quality service standards.
- Implemented strategic initiatives improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
- Developed and maintained strong vendor relationships to optimize supply chain processes. Managed operations for two high‑volume dining concepts, supervising 80+ employees, including student workers.
- Completed hiring requisitions, interviewed candidates, and partnered with HR to onboard new hires and promote internal employees.
- Created and maintained weekly schedules across multiple locations.
- Finalized concept orders, balanced account books, and maintained inventory accuracy.
- Updated menus and calorie counts for multiple kitchens across campus.
- Coordinated campus‑wide catering events and logistics.
- Responded to staffing shortages, cash drawer issues, and operational emergencies.
- Provided leadership and guidance to supervisors, ensuring consistent service quality.
Senior Supervisor
Sodexo Gcu
Phoenix, AZ
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Formulated work schedules, communicating with individual employees to verify availability and coordinating across departments to staff each shift fully.
- Delivered weekly sales, performance and inventory reports to managers.
- Planned and managed resources to consistently meet production, quality and cost goals.
- Interviewed applicants, recommended individuals for hiring and evaluated staff performance.
- Supervised kitchen food preparation in demanding, high-volume environments.
- Oversaw kitchen employee scheduling to meet coverage needs and avoid wasted labor.
- Prepared variety of foods according to exact instructions and recipe specifications.
- Communicated effectively with staff regarding food allergies and dietary restrictions.
- Analyzed recipes to determine menu prices based on cost of food, labor and overhead.
- Selected and developed recipes and planned menus, driving consistent food quality and production.
Lead Cook
Immanuel Campus Of Care
Peoria, AZ
10.2021 - 09.2022
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Interacted with waitstaff regarding special orders for customers with food allergies and gluten intolerance.
- Managed portion control using correct utensils during preparation and plating.
- Used standardized recipes and other instructions to prepare food for over 50+ guests.
- Coordinated orders to expedite food from kitchen according to cook time and delivery time.
- Prepared meals for lunch and dining services with average of 25 tables per day.
Cook
Eagles Nest Golf Club
Goodyear, AZ
01.2020 - 02.2021
- Operated fryers and grills according to instructions to maintain safety and food quality.
- Safely operated ovens, grills and other kitchen equipment to minimize accidents.
- Grilled various cuts of meat and seafood items to meet customer specifications and food handling standards.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of line workstations.
- Supported other kitchen team members when needed.
- Assisted in preparation of menu items ranging from burgers to sandwiches.
- Operated kitchen equipment in alignment with OSHA protocols and manufacturer instructions.
Prep Cook
Tocaya Organica
Tempe, AZ
12.2019 - 02.2020
- Retained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Organized and labeled stock of ingredients to maintain needed inventory levels.
- Prepped vegetables and ingredients by washing, chopping and dicing.
- Operated grills and steamers to prepare vegetables, potatoes, rice and meats.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
- Processed incoming deliveries, rotated stock and put away new items in correct locations.
Lead Line Cook
Arizona Broadway Theater
Peoria, AZ
12.2015 - 12.2019
- Plated food according to restaurant artistic guidelines to promote attractive presentation.
- Assessed inventory levels and placed orders to replenish goods before supplies depleted.
- Created diverse cuisines for full restaurant, special event, catering and tasting menus every 4 weeks.
- Assisted Sous Chef with training and development of culinary staff.
Account Manager
Discover Card
Phoenix, AZ
07.2014 - 01.2015
- Oversaw 90+ multiple accounts and worked diligently to meet and exceed performance goals.
- Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
- Engaged customers with proactive strategies to understand needs and develop successful solutions.
- Maintained high-volume workload within fast-paced environment and consistently met performance benchmarks.
- Collected payments and updated accounts to reflect new balances.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Medical Science
The Bryman School - Tempe
Tempe, AZGED -
North Pointe Preparatory
Phoenix, AZ01-2009
Skills
- Servsafe certified
- Team Leadership & Training
- Scheduling & Labor Planning
- Hiring, Requisitions & HR Coordination
- Customer Service & Communication
- Inventory Management & Ordering
- Menu Development & Calorie Analysis
- Cash Handling & Account Balancing
- Catering Coordination
- POS & Scheduling Systems
- Multi‑Location Support & Crisis Response
Accomplishments
- Kronos (now UKG) certified in Cali and the rest of the US.
- ServSafe certified
- Finger print clearance card
- CPI certified
Certification
- Servsafe Certified
- UKG Certified
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Manager
Sodexo - Grand Canyon University
08.2023 - 10.2024
Senior Supervisor
Sodexo Gcu
08.2022 - 08.2023
Lead Cook
Immanuel Campus Of Care
10.2021 - 09.2022
Cook
Eagles Nest Golf Club
01.2020 - 02.2021
Prep Cook
Tocaya Organica
12.2019 - 02.2020
Lead Line Cook
Arizona Broadway Theater
12.2015 - 12.2019
Account Manager
Discover Card
07.2014 - 01.2015
GED -
North Pointe Preparatory
Some College (No Degree) - Medical Science
The Bryman School - Tempe
Education and Training
North Pointe Preparatory | Phoenix, AZ GED 01/2009
The Bryman School - Tempe | Tempe, AZ Some College (No Degree) in Medical Science
UKG kronos certified in California and the U.S