Harmon Swartz
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Offering more than 20 years of progressively responsible leadership experience focused on diversity, inclusion, and developing future leaders through compassion and a dedication to success. Accomplished District Manager experienced in directing program development, staffing, and operations for multiple units, traveling the western U.S. between small and large staffs. A natural leader with a focus on employee ownership and engagement. Skilled in training and mentoring new associates on skills to build customer retention and boost teamwork and collaboration. Passionate about helping customers and delivering top-notch experiences in every interaction.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
District Manager, Director of Operation, Sales
SFE / Compass Group USA
Multiple States, US
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Operated $23M in business spanning four-state region and broad range of markets, including senior living, healthcare, education, B&I, and unique services.
- Ensured adherence to federal NSLP (National School Lunch Program) operations and serving over 20K students from various demographic groups and financial levels.
- Developed team members into leadership and created culture of growth and empowerment across multiple units and regions.
- Successfully coordinated transition of over $10M of revenue and overhead to Compass for Arizona division, spanning four-state region and broad range of markets, including senior living, healthcare, education, B&I, and unique services.
- Acted as Regional Vice President for Arizona division while transitioning division to CulinArt west division, including executing billing, client retention, fee negotiation, budgeting, human resources, technology implementation, overhead reduction, and relocation of corporate office.
- Proposed and acquired four new business opportunities over six years resulting in revenue & profit growth of division by 20% in last quarter of 2016 and refurbishment and reorganization of three existing accounts.
- These projects included all aspects of culinary, workforce, equipment, budget, programming, technology, vendor allocation.
- Effectively orchestrated 800+ person 25th anniversary gala for Knight Transportation Company, including shareholders and board members, which garnered praise from founders and all associates, resulting in refreshed investment into food services.
- Improved client satisfaction scores by over 25% for three locations within four months of operation through attentive service execution and consistent follow-through.
- Maintained constant communication line between team members; through monthly management meetings, unit team briefings and clients, bi-monthly calls, and scheduled visitation at all division units.
Executive Chef
Scottsdale Golf Group / Red Mountain Ranch Country Club
Mesa, AZ
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Rebuilt Food & Beverage department by restructuring systems and protocols to ensure profitability and generate revenue.
- Reduced costs by 25% by reducing excessive inventory, adjusting ordering methods, vendor negotiation, menu management, and streamlined labor.
- Generated 15% growth in sales revenue and expanded awareness for Restaurant and Banquet facilities by creating Farmer's Market program to enhance public's services and develop community interest in country club.
- Trained and developed staff to enhance service and food standards by correcting improper food handling practices and set guidelines for food management.
Executive Chef Manager
HMS Host Phoenix Sky Harbor
Phoenix, AZ
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Managed 85% scratch kitchen set in heart of main concourse of major high traffic International Airport.
- Redeveloped all policies and procedures in Back of House operation, including union staff scheduling through arbitration, food preparation, commissary production resource training, Group Purchasing Organization involvement, and recipe and menu development with street-side corporate chefs.
Sous Chef
Nordstrom Café
Scottsdale, AZ
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Managed team of 20+ cooks and service staff in all aspects of culinary offerings within store operations, including catering and seasonal events.
- Established and updated staff schedules and assignments to optimize coverage of peak times.
- Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain business reputation.
- Duties included working from Profit & Loss sheets and making accurate decisions concerning labor, purchasing, and portion control to meet budgetary expectations.
- Acted as head chef when required to maintain continuity of service and quality
- Produced revolutionary menu offerings to put establishments on local, regional and national map
Prepared Foods Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
Chandler, AZ
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Managed prepared foods department, consisting of team of 30 individuals at various culinary skill levels, including sushi and pre-packed in-store options.
- Developed new menu items and concepts utilized in reorganizing department offerings to maintain fresh and contemporary appearance and performed wide range of kitchen duties.
- Managed inventory, including organizing food and products by date and maintaining adequate supplies.
- Participated in educational opportunities to increase product knowledge.
Executive Sous Chef
Bon Appétit Management Company Ohio/Chicago
Columbus, OH
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Liaised with local food organizations as an ambassador for local food promotion within Ohio Farming communities and educated local producers on what end users want in local food production. Assisted in developing communication networks for small farmers and purveyors in Ohio to improve access to larger markets for their offerings.
- Assisted in catering program development in conjunction with Catering Director and General Manager. These duties included execution of a 2000-person Presidential inauguration.
- Directed a staff of 20 people on production methods and proper culinary techniques to ensure quality and sanitation standards.
- Culinary Industry Achievements - Featured in AZ Living magazine as "Chef's to Watch" 2014.
- Developed training courses and programs for employees and held classes for students and guests of the Universities and Grocery Store Customers.
- Worked with ACEnet and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center to organize and construct the first business incubator for local farmers. This led to continued improvement for flash and quick-frozen packaging of summer crops for sustained resources for Ohio small farms.
Production Support Engineer
CHASE BANK INC
Columbus, OH
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Mediated all technology and infrastructure-related issues for Bank One/Chase Bank merger.
- Assisted in resource allocation for upgrade and decommissioning of over 1500 old desktop and server technologies while also providing tracking and depreciation of hardware.
- Maintained living database of incidents associated with general operation and health of Global Technology and Infrastructure environments for both organizations.
Education
Ph.D. - Organizational Leadership
Adler University
Chicago, IL01.2024
Master of Science - Food Industry Leadership
University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA12.2020
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Culinary Arts and Nutritional Science
Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH03.2009
Bachelor of Science - Communication Systems Management, Marketing
Ohio University
Athens, OH06.1999
Skills
- Food Service Experience
- Recommend Strategies
- Presentation Abilities
- Food And Beverage Industry
- Client Relationships
- Leadership Experience
- Valid Passport
- Root Cause Analysis
Accomplishments
- Project Development - Collaborated with team of 30 in the development of three campus new build eateries for the College of Southern Nevada.
- Business Development - Initiated four key partnerships which resulted in 20% revenue growth.
- Effective Communication - Coordinated program roll out across a four-state area for system upgrades and associate interface resources.
Certification
- Certified Life Coach - Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
- Professional Voice Actor
- SERVsafe Certified
Timeline
District Manager, Director of Operation, Sales
SFE / Compass Group USA
01.2015 - 01.2021
Executive Chef
Scottsdale Golf Group / Red Mountain Ranch Country Club
01.2014 - 01.2015
Executive Chef Manager
HMS Host Phoenix Sky Harbor
01.2013 - 01.2014
Sous Chef
Nordstrom Café
01.2012 - 01.2013
Prepared Foods Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2010 - 01.2012
Executive Sous Chef
Bon Appétit Management Company Ohio/Chicago
01.2008 - 01.2010
Production Support Engineer
CHASE BANK INC
01.2004 - 01.2006
Ph.D. - Organizational Leadership
Adler University
Master of Science - Food Industry Leadership
University Of Southern California
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Culinary Arts and Nutritional Science
Columbus State Community College
Bachelor of Science - Communication Systems Management, Marketing
Ohio University
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