Kelly J. Eklund
Fremont,NE
Summary
Dynamic and performance-driven business professional with high integrity, strong work ethic and great leadership skills. Meticulous and resourceful business professional with proven success leading productive teams, controlling budgets, networking to drive growth initiatives and marketing to maximize brand outreach.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Operations- Food & Nutrition
Tabitha Health Care Services
Lincoln, NE
03.2021 - 12.2023
- Developed training programs for new employees as well as existing staff members.
- Oversaw the implementation of new technology solutions designed to streamline processes.
- Maintained budgeting documents for accurate tracking of expenses.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Contributed to organizational strategic direction to improve products and services.
- Ensured compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards.
- Enhanced customer service and satisfaction through policy and procedural changes.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers ensuring best value pricing options were secured.
- Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Created policies and procedures for improved workflow processes.
- Recognized employees for demonstrating excellent service resulting in increased company morale.
Account Manager/Training Certified Dietary Manager
Healthcare Service Group
Omaha, NE
07.2020 - 04.2021
- Hospitality & Culinary Management
- Front- & Back-of-House Operations
- Created comprehensive reports on account performance and presented them to senior management.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key accounts to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Listened to customer needs to identify and recommend best products and services.
- Kept accurate records pertaining to inventory and account notes, documenting any contract updates.
- Provided training and guidance to new Account Managers.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations when dealing with clients.
Foodservice Director
South Haven Living Center
Wahoo, NE
01.2018 - 07.2020
- Hospitality & Culinary Management
- Front- & Back-of-House Operations
- Budgeting & Cost Controls
- Menu Development
- Teambuilding/Training/Supervision
- Safety/Sanitation/Quality Controls
- Vendor/Inventory Management
- Strategic Marketing
- Payroll/P&L Management
- Safety Committee
- Hiring & recruiting committee
- Organized and executed large events.
Daycare Owner/Operator
Self-employeed
Omaha, NE
05.2015 - 12.2017
- Reviewed applications from prospective families interested in enrolling their children in the program.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as field trips and special events for the children enrolled in the daycare.
- Managed budgeting responsibilities.
- Planned nutritious meals that meet USDA guidelines for nutritional value while also being appealing to young palates.
- Interacted regularly with students throughout the day by playing games, reading stories or engaging them in creative activities.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula designed to stimulate physical, mental and emotional development in young children.
- Created a safe, nurturing environment to promote learning and growth in children.
- Established relationships with parents and guardians to foster strong communication regarding their child's progress.
Foodservice Director
New Cassel Retirement Center
Omaha, NE
09.2012 - 05.2015
- Hospitality & Culinary Management
- Front- & Back-of-House Operations
- Budgeting & Cost Controls
- Menu Development
- Teambuilding/Training/Supervision
- Safety/Sanitation/Quality Controls
- Vendor/Inventory Management
- Turnaround Management
- Strategic Marketing
- Payroll/P&L Management
- Increased resident feed back
- Improved staff customer service quality
- Hiring & recruiting committee
- Organized and executed large events
- Construction Projects/remodels.
Dietary Manager
Capital Senior Living-Gramercy Hill
Lincoln, NE
03.2011 - 09.2012
- Hospitality & Culinary Management
- Front- & Back-of-House Operations
- Budgeting & Cost Controls
- Menu Development
- Teambuilding/Training/Supervision
- Safety/Sanitation/Quality Controls
- Vendor/Inventory Management
- Turnaround Management
- Strategic Marketing
- Payroll/P&L Management
- Increased resident feed back
- Improved staff customer service quality
- Reduced food product wastage
- Under budget on monthly basics while up holding a large variety of choices on menu.
Diet Technician
Tabitha Health Care Services
Lincoln, NE
06.2008 - 03.2011
- Supplement report, diet audit, weight report, meal and fluid intakes, fluid goals, new admissions assessments, wound report, probiotics, swallowing status questionnaire, elder interviews.
Dietary Supervisor
Tabitha Health Care Services
Lincoln, NE
04.2007 - 03.2011
- Trained and supervised employees, employee schedule, employee evaluation, meal production, meal tickets, supervise dish-up service of Meals on Wheels, enter diet changes and new admits into computer
- Assisted and served employee and guests, prepared, setup and served food for catering and facility
- Ensure the cleanliness, sanitation and maintenance of all facility
- Safety Committee, Healthy Fair committee.
Temporary Dietary Manager
Tabitha Health Care Service
Crete, NE
11.2010 - 01.2011
- Responsible for implementation of policies and procedures pertaining to food service
- Responsible for delivery of quality service, promoting good public relation and for upholding the mission and standards of the facility
- Placed food orders, employee schedule, employee evaluations, meal tickets, diet changes, new admits
- Assisted and served employee and guests
- Ensure the cleanliness
- Teambuilding/Training/Supervision
- Safety/Sanitation/Quality Controls.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Dietetics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE05.2010
Architecture
Northwest College
Powell, WY05.2005
Skills
- Operations Oversight
- Process Improvements
- Leadership Training
- Strategic Planning and Execution
- Performance Improvement
- Schedule Management
- Administrative Management
- Employee Development
- Inventory Management
- Customer Service Management
Affiliations
- Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals
- Senior Dining Association
- American Legion Auxiliary
Certification
- ServSafe
- CPR/AED
- Food Handlers Permit
- CDM-CRPP
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Director of Operations- Food & Nutrition
Tabitha Health Care Services
03.2021 - 12.2023
Account Manager/Training Certified Dietary Manager
Healthcare Service Group
07.2020 - 04.2021
Foodservice Director
South Haven Living Center
01.2018 - 07.2020
Daycare Owner/Operator
Self-employeed
05.2015 - 12.2017
Foodservice Director
New Cassel Retirement Center
09.2012 - 05.2015
Dietary Manager
Capital Senior Living-Gramercy Hill
03.2011 - 09.2012
Temporary Dietary Manager
Tabitha Health Care Service
11.2010 - 01.2011
Diet Technician
Tabitha Health Care Services
06.2008 - 03.2011
Dietary Supervisor
Tabitha Health Care Services
04.2007 - 03.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Dietetics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Architecture
Northwest College
Similar Profiles
David PortoDavid Porto
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT REGISTERED NURSE/PERMANENT CHARGE NURSE/TRAUMA LEAD NURSE at Bryan HealthEMERGENCY DEPARTMENT REGISTERED NURSE/PERMANENT CHARGE NURSE/TRAUMA LEAD NURSE at Bryan Health
Jordan HaakeJordan Haake
Registered Nurse- Surgery at Gothenburg HealthRegistered Nurse- Surgery at Gothenburg Health
Christiana RoenneChristiana Roenne
Physical Therapist Assistant, Home Health at Tabitha HealthPhysical Therapist Assistant, Home Health at Tabitha Health