James Houtman
Hattiesburg,MS
Summary
Searching for a position in Houston or surrounding area to be closer to family
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager (William Carey University)
MMI Dining Systems
Hattiesburg, MS
06.2022 - Current
- Lead a team of six salaried managers that provides operational expertise in contracted services of four locations and a full catering department, while providing hands-on execution management of operations
- Manage the client and community relationships at the location, continually assessing operations, and developmenting plans to provide optimal service and drive employee and customer satisfaction
- Monitoring payroll records and reviewing financial transactions to ensure the expenditures are authorized and budgeted
- Build, develop and lead a management team and staff capable of carrying out organizational objectives
- Organize and direct worker training programs, resolve personnel problems, hire new staff, and evaluate performance in the dining facilities
- In partnership with accounting, manage a budget and assist in the design of improvements to optimize financial performance and operational productivity
- Coordinate with chefs and plan menus and food utilization based on the anticipated number of guests, nutritional value, palatability, popularity and costs
- Recommend methods, resources, and implementation for service improvement and growth based on understanding of operational needs, capabilities, and contractual obligations
- Coordinate with contractors during a full remodeling of the dining hall
Area Director of Operations
Beach Pizza Management DBA Rotolo's Pizzeria
Baton Rouge, LA
05.2015 - 06.2022
- Lead 8 full service Italian restaurant teams to achieve business results: improving net operating income and maximizing profitability
- Encourage outstanding business results by focusing on specific behaviors: increase average sales, ticket times guest service and marketing
- Develop management teams within the district to provide great guest service
- Manage districts controllable expenses: maximizing supply budget dollars by ensuring 'just in time' supply delivery best practices executing at store levels to reduce supply costs
- Monitored and managed district-wide management staffing levels for peak sales and controlled total turnover
- Human Resources, manage accounts on all recruiting platforms
- Manage the new hire process by drafting offer letters, connecting with references, and reviewing background checks
- Instrumental revamping a detailed training program
Owner and Operator (President JHH Jr Enterprise)
Roly Poly Franchise
Baton Rouge, LA
01.2015 - 06.2016
- Develop and implement new sales strategies and marketing to increase sales and market share
- Oversee and direct managers in the operations of day to day business and catering
- Review all inventory control, ordering and purchasing through training and holding the team accountable for measurable results
- Negotiated agreements with vendors, ensure all deliveries are of suitable quality, accurate and on time
- Hire and train new team members, prepare schedules, monitor and evaluate performance
- Responsible for all receivables, payables, prep of payroll and cost control
Food Service Director
Williamsburg Senior Living Community
Baton Rouge, LA
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Oversaw and direct approximately 20 employees to ensure a high level of guest service
- Purchasing of all products staying under purchasing budget each month
- Managed daily operations of the department serving 400 plus meals daily
- Monthly presentations to 200 residents
Director of Food and Beverage
Holiday Inn Baton Rouge South
Baton Rouge, LA
05.2007 - 01.2012
- Oversaw daily operations of a 238-room property resulting in an increase in revenue
- Developed and implemented new employee training programs resulting in a reduction in employee turnover
- Worked with Executive Chef, and Event Coordinator creating Catering Event Menus, Restaurant and Bar Menus
- Oversaw a 3 million Food and Beverage Department that consisted of a full service restaurant, full bar, 9 event rooms, 16250 square feet of banquet space (600 largest capacity) and 6 breakout rooms
Location Manager (University of Monroe at Louisiana)
ARAMARK
Monroe, LA
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Managed the daily operations of Schultz Cafeteria, running a three menu cycle with seven different stations
- Implemented RFOC (Real Food on Campus)
- Prepared catering events (accommodating up to 800) on and off site, ranging from private dinners to outdoor events and athletic functions
- Purchasing and management of all products to or below budgeted expectations
Union Retail Manager (Louisiana State University)
Chartwells Higher Education (Compass Group)
Baton Rouge, LA
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Managed daily operations of multiple retail outlets including Pizza Hut, Chick-fil-a, Blimpies, Freshens Smoothies and outlets that rotated on a daily basis
- Oversaw and coached a team of approximately 140 associates to create a consistent level of guest expectation and experience
- Facilitate, design and implementation of new concepts and menus annually
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration and Management
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA05-1993
Skills
- Advertising and marketing
- Sales
- Branding
- Salary structure/compensation analysis
- Top talent recruiting, hiring, and retention
- Marketing
Desiredlocation
Houston, TX
Timeline
General Manager (William Carey University)
MMI Dining Systems
06.2022 - Current
Area Director of Operations
Beach Pizza Management DBA Rotolo's Pizzeria
05.2015 - 06.2022
Owner and Operator (President JHH Jr Enterprise)
Roly Poly Franchise
01.2015 - 06.2016
Food Service Director
Williamsburg Senior Living Community
01.2012 - 01.2015
Director of Food and Beverage
Holiday Inn Baton Rouge South
05.2007 - 01.2012
Location Manager (University of Monroe at Louisiana)
ARAMARK
01.2005 - 01.2007
Union Retail Manager (Louisiana State University)
Chartwells Higher Education (Compass Group)
01.2003 - 01.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration and Management
Southeastern Louisiana University