James Graham
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Dynamic operations manager with over 30 years of driving customer excellence and enhancing product delivery. Proven track record in developing diverse teams and implementing training programs that improve efficiency and performance across various sectors, including food management and educational curriculum design.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Project Manager
Cantu Food Service
San Antonio, Texas
05.2025 - Current
- Collaborated with department heads to implement strategic initiatives and improve efficiency.
- Managed staffing levels and schedules to align workforce with operational demands.
- Directed daily operations across multiple locations to ensure optimal performance.
- Oversaw inventory management, maintaining optimal stock levels and ensuring timely deliveries.
- Promoted positive customer service experiences by promptly resolving conflicts.
- Developed training programs for new managers, improving leadership capabilities.
- Analyzed market trends to adapt business strategies in response to customer needs.
General Manager and Executive Chef
Sodexo N. A.
San Antonio, USA
12.2017 - 05.2025
- Supported Sodexo standards and coached for growth, contributing to National Resource Bench while achieving financial and productivity goals.
- Manage the flow of the Request for Proposal process from beginning to end, monitoring, and controlling the project against the planned milestones at new opening in multiple accounts in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut hospital systems
- Established client relationships at multiple segment accounts specializing in patient experience, employee engagement and ensuring a safe work environment
- Consulted for university account operations, overseeing teams in food and labor cost control, inventory management, service delivery, budgetary compliance, food safety, sanitation, and client satisfaction.
- Trained and developed hundreds of employees (Sodexo and client) at various leadership levels reinforcing desired behaviors and improving performance and communication while creating a positive work environment
- Designed and implemented performance improvement interventions leading to a 3% to 6% reduction in product costs and a 7.8% to 9.0% reduction in labor costs at various accounts throughout the United States
- Contributed to the overall success of the company increasing external customer satisfaction by more than 4% as a result of superior interpersonal skills by developing client communication fostering a strong partnership with the retention of multiple clients
- Evaluated and implemented intervention strategies with a government client to develop local managers and revising processes resulting in the reduction of daily waste by 25%
General Manager
Redneck Heaven LLC
San Antonio, USA
02.2017 - 12.2017
- Organized the opening of a new restaurant
- Launched a new venue with an operating budget of 7.5 million dollars
- Hired and coached over 150 staff, including managers and front-line team members, to enhance service quality and operational efficiency
- Coordinated multi-disciplinary activities across departments and external partners to streamline operations and improve collaboration
- Influenced continuous process improvement initiatives, contributing to annual sales growth of 5.5 million dollars
- Coordinated contractors to install different systems
Assistant Manager
KRM Inc.
San Antonio, USA
09.2013 - 09.2016
- Enhanced processes and targeted areas of concern, decreasing weekly labor costs by .15%
- Managed budgetary controls and compliance to support overall company success
- Guided and regulated a professional development program for over 85 staff members
- Procured products from multiple vendors, fostering strong business partnerships through effective communication
Food Service Specialist
United States Marine Corps
, USA
09.1991 - 01.2011
- Honorable Discharge as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, E-7, Gunnery Sergeant
- Implemented and evaluated civilian contracts for 55 government facilities guiding change management driving improved performance outcomes
- Instructed personnel across entry, mid-career, and senior management levels on operations and contract management, enhancing operational understanding and compliance
- Facilitated content delivery for instructor certification, ensuring adherence to requirements set by Headquarters Marine Corps and improving training standards
- Proctored assessments to evaluate effectiveness of learning programs, identifying gaps for targeted improvements and enhancing overall training outcomes
Education
Master of Science - Organizational Performance
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE01-2020
Bachelor of Science - Nutritional Science
Kaplan University
Ft Lauderdale, FL01-2013
Skills
- Project management
- Cost management
- Resource allocation
- Risk management
- Operations management
- Performance improvement
- Strategic planning
- Customer management
- Staff development
- Team collaboration
- Conflict resolution
Affiliations
- Alpha Beta Kappa Honor Society
- Golden Key Honor Society
Certification
- Pro Chef Certification, Culinary Institute of America
- Certified Culinarian, American Culinary Federation
- Serv Safe, National Restaurant Association
Timeline
Assistant Project Manager
Cantu Food Service
05.2025 - Current
General Manager and Executive Chef
Sodexo N. A.
12.2017 - 05.2025
General Manager
Redneck Heaven LLC
02.2017 - 12.2017
Assistant Manager
KRM Inc.
09.2013 - 09.2016
Food Service Specialist
United States Marine Corps
09.1991 - 01.2011
Master of Science - Organizational Performance
Bellevue University
Bachelor of Science - Nutritional Science
Kaplan University