Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Awards
Personal Information
Timeline
Generic

Nick Ragusa

Channahon,IL

Summary

Corporate leader with deep expertise in strategic planning, business development, and operational excellence. Known for fostering collaboration, driving impactful results, and adapting to changing business landscapes. Skilled in financial management, stakeholder engagement, and innovative problem-solving. Recognized for strong leadership, effective communication, and unwavering integrity.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Business Development/Corporate Executive Account Manager

iit-SourceTech
01.2018 - 11.2024
  • Liaison role responsible for establishing and sustaining enduring partnerships between company and client at C-Suite level
  • Oversee and manage a $50+MM selected portfolio of business while developing dedicated relationships with key corporate contacts
  • Educate and encourage ongoing collective agreement and understanding with Clients to maintain focus on primary objectives
  • Develop new business opportunities, contribute input and participate in related coordination, sales, and conversion of new business
  • Present and conduct quarterly, semi-annual, and annual operational/financial business reviews
  • Meet with Food Manufacturer Reps to discuss and negotiate food products for our GPO portfolio
  • Highly engaged use of CRM (Salesforce) to prepare and manage sales
  • Extremely organized and channels availability into suitable initiatives
  • Excellent written & verbal communication skills as well as excellent listening, interpreting, and verbalizing abilities

Corporate Culinary Director of Operations

iit-SourceTech
02.2016 - 01.2018
  • Responsible for the management of operational and financial outcomes for Clients skilled nursing communities dining departments, a $15MM portfolio
  • Assess and identify operational/financial inefficiencies and create Action Plans for plan of corrections
  • This includes sanitation audits, food production and tray waste studies
  • Analyze financial budget reports including categorical breakdown of descending dollar reports, over order/under order accuracy, and assess KPI metrics of weekly inventory completion, use of production sheets, nutritional spreadsheets, and compliance with following standardized menus and recipes
  • Hold Dining Directors accountable for KPI performance
  • Assist in continuous staff training as well as implementing regional and corporate programs based on Company and Regulatory standards
  • Meet with Administrators, Regional Director of Operations and Executive Management team to review financial/operational business reviews

Corporate Regional Director of Healthcare Sales

Reinhart Foodservice
09.2015 - 02.2016
  • Responsible for the oversight of business development and growth of Healthcare Sales Divisions for 5 Reinhart Foodservice OpCo's (Bowling Green, Kansas City, Knoxville, Omaha, and Johnson City) by working with the Healthcare Sales Team
  • Managed relationship with Group Purchasing Organization at the Reinhart Corporate level and Distribution Centers
  • Sales presentations to prospective Clients C-Suite team
  • Drive Healthcare sales for each OpCo's targeted revenue and new customer goals
  • Assist and support with Client retention when needed

Director of Healthcare Sales

Reinhart Foodservice
05.2013 - 09.2015
  • Manage and responsible for the business development, sales and growth of the Reinhart University Park Healthcare division which was a new sector of business for this OpCo
  • Grew business portfolio and sales from 0 to 50+ accounts in a little over 18 months; over $5M in sales
  • Developed and maintained strong business relationships with owners/operators and Executive management team of the Independent/Assisted and Skilled Nursing community properties serviced
  • Conducted annual financial business reviews with Owners/Operators and their Executive team identifying operational and financial inefficiencies
  • Developed strong working relationships with the Dining Directors of the IL/AL and SNF properties
  • Assisted Dining Directors in identifying operational and financial inefficiencies which ultimately correlated to helping achieve positive operational and financial outcomes
  • Won the 2014 Reinhart Healthcare Division Top Sales Award

Foodservice Distribution Salesperson

Reinhart Foodservice
02.2012 - 05.2013
  • Responsibilities included growing Reinhart Foodservice sales on the commercial sector (restaurants, country clubs, hotels, etc...) as well as maintaining the portfolio of business acquired
  • Learn about product knowledge of the foods sold, especially Center of Plate, appetizers, desserts, and commercial convenience foods produced by Manufactures
  • Bring value add service by working with chefs/cooks on new menu concepts and utilization/cross utilization of many food products from my culinary background
  • Visit the accounts I managed weekly, take food delivery orders, present weekly hot sheet sales, and collect money owed on invoices
  • Won Rookie of the Year Sales contest at University Park division

Food and Beverage Director

The Inn at Willow Falls
09.2005 - 02.2012
  • Responsibilities included providing management for the Dining Department, ensuring exceptional quality food and plate presentation
  • Trained, directed, and assisted when needed in the preparation and serving of meals, ordered food and supplies and maintained area and equipment in sanitary condition and assure a smooth operation
  • Responsible for food/non-food purchases from approved vendors, production, and timely service of meals
  • Maintain cost records and work to meet budgetary guidelines and submit to Executive Director monthly
  • Hired, orientated, trained, mentored, counseled, disciplined, and when appropriate, terminated dining employees
  • Employee evaluation of work performance
  • Scheduled work hours and assignments; also review and check staff work performances
  • Participate in Interdisciplinary team meetings and Resident Food Council
  • Inspect storage areas on a daily basis for proper temperatures, cleanliness, and order to maintain regulatory compliance
  • Plan and present in-service education programs for the Dining Department
  • Ensured continued compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations

Education

Master's degree - Business Administration

University of Phoenix
05.2012

A.A.S. - Culinary Arts

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL
05.2003

Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders

University of Tulsa
Tulsa
05-1998

Skills

  • Culinary Experience
  • Business development
  • Leadership development/Team Leadership
  • Financial oversight
  • Performance optimization
  • Operational efficiency
  • Executive decision making
  • Budget management
  • Corporate communications
  • Customer relations
  • Sales strategy
  • Cross-functional leadership

Certification

ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, 02/01/22, 02/01/27, ServSafe Manager Certification is a certificate for managers of food establishments that confirms knowledge of proper food safety practices. The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is the leading food safety certification and is nationally recognized and accredited.


  • Certified Personal Trainer [International Sports Science Association] [Currently Enrolled]
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach [International Sports Science Association] [Currently Enrolled]
  • Nutrition Certification [International Sports Science Association] [Currently Enrolled]

Awards

MEN WHO COOK BEST ENTREE, 10/01/10, Participated in the 1st annual Will County Child Advocacy Center's Culinary Competition Fundraiser. Won Best Entree out of 50 competing Chefs from Illinois.

Personal Information

Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer

Timeline

Business Development/Corporate Executive Account Manager

iit-SourceTech
01.2018 - 11.2024

Corporate Culinary Director of Operations

iit-SourceTech
02.2016 - 01.2018

Corporate Regional Director of Healthcare Sales

Reinhart Foodservice
09.2015 - 02.2016

Director of Healthcare Sales

Reinhart Foodservice
05.2013 - 09.2015

Foodservice Distribution Salesperson

Reinhart Foodservice
02.2012 - 05.2013

Food and Beverage Director

The Inn at Willow Falls
09.2005 - 02.2012

A.A.S. - Culinary Arts

Joliet Junior College

Master's degree - Business Administration

University of Phoenix

Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders

University of Tulsa

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Nick Ragusa