Patrick Hockenbury
Peoria,IL
Summary
Catering Director with proven expertise in operations management. Adept at mentoring and coaching staff. And known for effective leadership and team building skills. Committed to enhancing client experiences through strategic planning and execution while fostering a culture of safety and compliance. Ready to take on new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Catering Director
Aramark, Bradley University
Peoria, IL
07.2022 - Current
- Collaborate with culinary team to develop and implement menus aligned with client preferences and industry trends, creating exceptional dining experiences.
- Analyze client feedback to refine service and offerings, aiming to improve customer satisfaction.
- Handle escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain customer loyalty.
- Coordinate with marketing team to promote dining services through targeted campaigns.
- Facilitate vendor relationships to ensure timely and accurate delivery of orders received.
- Reduce food waste utilizing inventory control systems, tracking software and action plans for surplus food.
- Mentor others in safety protocols, reinforcing adherence to organizational policies and regulations. Promoting a safety first culture.
- Train staff in service excellence to ensure customer loyalty and build a consistent high-quality brand reputation.
- Understand compliance and manage in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement.
- Evaluate supervisor performance, providing constructive feedback to foster professional growth and maintain high-level standards of service.
- Consistently update sales forecast.
- Manage staff schedules for appropriate service coverage while minimizing overtime.
- Oversee logistics and execution of catering events.
- Conduct post-event evaluations with clients to identify service improvement areas and potential upsell possibilities.
- Engage in industry trade shows to cultivate new business avenues, e.g., weddings, events and corporate functions.
- Participate in local networking events to build and maintain strategic connections within the community.
- Lead cross-functional meetings to to integrate catering services with overarching organizational goals.
- Host job fairs, interviewing prospective supervisors and union employees.
- Work with department managers to edit, schedule and lead Welcome Back Orientation and trainings for new and returning employees.
- Deliver informative group presentations to incoming students, covering meal plans, dining locations, amenities and employment opportunities.
- Attend Student Advisory Committee meetings to discuss menus, facilities, events and sustainability initiatives.
Assistant Food Service Director
Aramark, Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL
09.2016 - 07.2022
- Administered Human Resources and payroll functions for nearly 60 full time, part time and student staff.
- Oversaw records maintenance to ensure compliance from creation through storage and destruction with Iron Mountain.
- Coordinated staff schedules to maintain consistent operational coverage across all shifts.
- Supervised daily food service operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Maximized quality assurance by completing frequent line checks.
- Enforced strict adherence to portion control standards to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with catering supervisor to ensure timely food delivery and service for special events.
- Verified prepared food met standards for quality and quantity before serving to catering guests.
- Streamlined order-taking process in food court by designing customizable tickets to enhance service efficiency.
- Managed Instagram and Facebook content in conjunction with the promotional calendar.
- Traveled to assist account operations throughout the region.
Catering Supervisor
Aramark, Bradley University
Peoria, IL
08.2012 - 09.2016
- Contributed to the implementation of operational frameworks as an opening team member for a newly awarded account.
- Oversaw daily catering operations, ensuring adherence to health and safety regulations.
- Trained and mentored staff in food safety and service techniques.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing exceptional catering services for various events.
- Managed multiple functions simultaneously to meet client's expectations.
- Traveled to assist account operations throughout the region.
Skills
- Effective leader and team builder
- Operations management
- Training and coaching
- Adaptability
- Problem solving
- Interpersonal skills and written communication
- Relationship building
Accomplishments
Traveling to accounts outside my own have highlighted much of my career with Aramark. I am proud to have been an asset to many accounts needing opening assistance and general support. Boots on the ground in buildings that still have studs for walls, accounts where a previous contractor left clients in the lurch to campuses that do 10% of their annual revenue over a 4 week span in the summer. Being an integral part of the opening team, spending 4 weeks at Purdue University's Memorial Union was an incredible experience. A 47 million dollar renovation project boasting 67,000 square feet, housing 12 restaurant venues. One of which is co-owned by Purdue's own NFL star quarterback Drew Brees. Opening 4 dining halls while training staff at The University of Miami, Oxford over an 11 day period was a tremendous undertaking for all involved on a tight timeline. And assisting Missouri Western State University during the NFL Kansas City Chiefs' training camp are all among my most memorable experiences.
Timeline
Catering Director
Aramark, Bradley University
07.2022 - Current
Assistant Food Service Director
Aramark, Monmouth College
09.2016 - 07.2022
Catering Supervisor
Aramark, Bradley University
08.2012 - 09.2016