Cassandra Foster
Summary
Restaurant operations and talent acquisition professional with 8+ years of experience in multi-unit foodservice leadership, project coordination, and operational systems implementation. Demonstrated success in full-cycle recruiting, team development, and workforce planning, alongside operational initiatives such as training programs, process documentation, technology deployments, and data accuracy across reporting systems. Adept at stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration, and executing operational rollouts in fast-paced environments, delivering measurable improvements in productivity, service quality, and team performance.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Recruiting Partner
Goodwin Recruiting
05.2022 - Current
- Partner with clients nationwide across multiple industries to deliver full-cycle recruitment for executive, technical, and non-technical roles
- Leverage data-driven ATS insights to refine recruiting strategies, track pipeline performance, and improve time-to-fill and placement outcomes
- Utilize advanced sourcing techniques, including Boolean search, market mapping, and multi-channel sourcing across job boards, LinkedIn, and proprietary databases
- Lead business development and client management efforts, building long-term partnerships through consultative hiring solutions
- Manage end-to-end recruiting processes, including intake sessions, candidate assessment, offer negotiation, and placement
- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to address hiring challenges, support client initiatives, and ensure successful implementations
- Consistently recognized as a Top Biller and Recruiter of the Quarter for exceeding performance and revenue targets
General Manager
Major Food Group
10.2021 - 04.2022
- Led pre-opening and ongoing recruitment, onboarding, and training for all front-of-house roles, building service teams aligned with brand and operational standards
- Directed daily operations for a high-end, chef-driven restaurant concept, delivering elevated dining experiences and consistently high guest satisfaction
- Managed service execution, VIP relations, staffing models, and guest recovery with a focus on high-touch hospitality and operational excellence
- Oversaw vendor negotiations, inventory controls, and cost management, ensuring efficient procurement and minimizing waste
- Configured, tested, and launched POS and operational systems, partnering with technology and finance teams to ensure seamless opening and day-to-day functionality
Senior Assistant General Manager
Hillstone Restaurants
08.2019 - 10.2021
- Oversaw operations for $14M+ in annual revenue locations, maintaining alignment with Hillstone’s exacting service and operational standards
- Directed training, leadership development, and operational execution across multiple units, strengthening succession planning through train-the-trainer initiatives
- Implemented structured accountability and performance systems, contributing to top 5% guest satisfaction scores company-wide
- Optimized scheduling and labor planning processes to control costs while sustaining high service levels
- Analyzed guest feedback and operational data via Resy to identify service gaps and drive targeted improvements
- Partnered with senior leaders to validate sales and labor data, ensuring reporting accuracy and resolving system discrepancies
General Manager
Acme Hospitality
01.2018 - 07.2019
- Managed two boutique dining concepts, delivering personalized, guest-focused hospitality and consistently high service standards
- Built and sustained a strong service culture through coaching, mentorship, and leadership engagement
- Directed budgets, vendor relationships, labor planning, and compliance, ensuring operational efficiency while maintaining elevated standards
- Developed and maintained operational documentation and SOPs to ensure consistency across all service and operational processes
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration & Management
Brooklyn College, City University of New York
Skills
- Talent Acquisition & Full-Cycle Recruiting: Executive, technical, and professional search; candidate assessment; onboarding; pipeline development; leveraging ATS and CRM insights to optimize hiring strategies
- Operations & Multi-Unit Management: Daily operations oversight, process standardization, scheduling, and labor optimization across multiple units
- Training & Leadership Development: Program design, team coaching, train-the-trainer initiatives, SOP creation, and succession planning
- Workforce & Data Management: Workforce planning, reporting, and data analysis using ATS and operational dashboards to drive performance and efficiency
- Project Coordination & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Implementation support, stakeholder management, and process improvement initiatives
Technical Proficiencies
- Collaboration & Productivity Tools: Slack, Zoom, G Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, Trello, Jira
- Reporting & Analytics: Excel, operational dashboards, workforce metrics
- POS & Operational Systems: Toast, Micros, Aloha
- ATS & CRM: Salesforce, Bullhorn, Greenhouse, Lever, Rippling
- Workforce Management : HotSchedules, Kronos
Timeline
Senior Recruiting Partner
Goodwin Recruiting
05.2022 - Current
General Manager
Major Food Group
10.2021 - 04.2022
Senior Assistant General Manager
Hillstone Restaurants
08.2019 - 10.2021
General Manager
Acme Hospitality
01.2018 - 07.2019
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration & Management
Brooklyn College, City University of New York