DANA SVOBODA JAMES
PCS Gourmet Foods
31
years of professional experience
Results-driven leader with over 30 years of experience in operations, administration, human resources, and marketing. Proven expertise in fostering collaboration across departments to solve problems and coordinate projects. Skilled in building trust and facilitating communication to support executive leadership, enhance customer service, and develop teams. Eager to leverage extensive background to contribute to organizational success and drive continuous improvement.
Work History
President
10 Years 7 Months- Lead day-to-day operations for a specialty food commercialization company, partnering with clients, manufacturers, brokers, logistics providers, retailers, and internal teams to bring products successfully to market.
- Coordinated commercialization efforts for 12 specialty food and beverage brands, ensuring successful product launches and market entry.
- Established primary connections between clients, manufacturers, brokers, logistics providers, retailers, and customers throughout product launches.
- Coordinated national trade shows and collaborated with creative, sales, and operations teams to support brand growth.
- Partnered with internal and external teams to implement an order management system, enhancing workflow and communication efficiency.
- Developed efficient processes for onboarding, contracts, billing, invoicing, accounts receivable, collections, and customer communications.
- Managed GS1 UPC creation, nutritional labeling, Organic and Non-GMO certifications, and product documentation.
- Recruited, hired, onboarded, and coached employees, fostering a supportive Human Resources environment.
Executive Assistant → Senior Vice President
20 Years- Spent 20 years learning every aspect of the business while becoming the President/CEO's trusted business partner and helping grow the company into a nationally recognized premium brand.
- Drove annual company revenue growth from $1.5 million to $19 million.
- Worked closely with the President/CEO to coordinate initiatives across the organization and improve communication between departments.
- Led departments of up to 50 employees across Retail Operations, Consumer Catalog, Corporate Sales, and Creative Services.
- Directed 12–15 annual catalogs, wholesale materials, and marketing campaigns.
- Collaborated with operations to enhance forecasting, inventory planning, production scheduling, and supply chain coordination.
- Helped commercialize dozens of new products and assisted in opening and overseeing eight retail locations.
- Implemented new business systems and e-commerce initiatives while overseeing recruiting, hiring, onboarding, coaching, and employee development.
- Established trust by connecting departments, solving problems, and facilitating the transition of ideas from planning to implementation.
Education
Bachelor - Human Resource Management
Skills
Product Commercialization
Business Operations
Project Coordination
Supply Chain Coordination
Client relationship management
Process Improvement
Contract management
Billing & Accounts Receivable
Human Resources
Negotiation Strategies
Executive Support
Financial Oversight
SOFTWARE & BUSINESS TOOLS
- Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- QuickBooks
- Shopify
- Woocommerce
- Fishbowl
- Deposco
- GS1
- ERP/WMS
- Order Management Systems
- Amazon Seller Support
Timeline
President
PCS Gourmet Foods
01.2016 - CurrentRead More
Executive Assistant → Senior Vice President
Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier
01.1996 - 01.2016Read More
Lindenwood University
Bachelor from Human Resource Management
Read More