Lauren Collins
Malvern,AR
Summary
Dedicated professional with excellent experience in customer service, menu planning, budgeting, and record keeping. Maintains professional appearance and demeanor and completes assigned tasks with focus on quality. Dependable and quick-learning team player with effective communication, computer and organization skills.
Overview
1
1
Certification
23
23
years of post-secondary education
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Dietary Manager
Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services
Hot Springs, AR
07.2025 - Current
- Coordinate daily meal and snack preparation to meet dietary needs of clients.
- Develop compliant menus and ordered all required foods while adhering to budget guidelines.
- Maintain accurate records for point of service and production to ensure compliance and efficiency.
- Manage inventory records.
- Process monthly reimbursement claims in compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Ensure kitchen cleanliness and organization to promote a safe cooking environment.
- Direct, train, and motivat staff to enhance team performance and service quality.
- Mentor clients through cooking, budgeting, and over all wellness classes.
- Ensure client privacy regarding health and treatment through HIPPA compliance.
- Current member of the Emerging Leader's Cohort class of 2026
Sales Associate
Good Vibes Nutrition
Hot Springs, AR
11.2022 - 07.2025
- Assist customers with product selections.
- Maintain organized merchandise displays to attract customer interest and facilitate sales.
- Process transactions accurately using point-of-sale systems to ensure efficient checkout operations.
- Make teas and shakes to order.
- Maintain inventory.
Director of Child Nutrition
Bismarck School District
Bismarck, Arkansas
11.2014 - 08.2022
- Created menus that met USDA guidelines for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, while also considering student preferences and dietary needs.
- Developed purchasing guidelines and managed food and supply inventory to ensure cost-effective procurement practices within a multi-school procurement cooperative.
- Managed the child nutrition program's budget by monitoring expenditures and ensuring proper record-keeping.
- Hired, trained, supervised, and evaluated food service staff, including developing training manuals and conducting weekly staff meetings.
- Established and implemented policies and procedures for food safety, sanitation, and quality control, monitoring food preparation and service to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations, and prepared required daily production records, as well as helped file monthly claims for reimbursement.
- Promoted child nutrition program to students, staff, and community while evaluating participation and effectiveness to enhance program reach.
- Overseeing the upkeep of food service facilities and equipment.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR 08.2003 - 10.2026
Bismarck High School
Bismarck, ArkansasSkills
- Food safety compliance
- Menu development
- Nutritional analysis
- Nutritional planning
Certification
ServSafe Manager 2022
Certified Child Nutrition Manange (AR) 2016
Certified Child Nutrition Director (AR) 2018
Timeline
Dietary Manager
Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services
07.2025 - Current
Sales Associate
Good Vibes Nutrition
11.2022 - 07.2025
Director of Child Nutrition
Bismarck School District
11.2014 - 08.2022
Bachelor of Arts - English
Henderson State University
08.2003 - 10.2026
Bismarck High School