Samantha J. Swartz
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Knowledgeable Operations Director with proven track record in optimizing operational efficiency and streamlining processes. Successfully managed large teams and implemented strategic initiatives that improved productivity and reduced costs. Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills to drive continuous improvement and achieve organizational goals.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Director
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
10.2025 - Current
- Developed and implemented operational strategies to enhance kitchen efficiency and service delivery.
- Oversee daily operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Manage staff scheduling, optimizing workforce allocation to meet service demands.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing waste and improving cost control.
- Collaborate with community partners to expand outreach programs and services offered.
- Lead training initiatives for staff, fostering skill development and performance improvement.
- Analyze operational metrics to identify areas for enhancement and drive continuous improvement.
- Oversee daily operations across multiple departments, ensuring seamless coordination and efficient execution of tasks.
Director of Workforce Development
Rivers of Steel
Homestead, PA
05.2024 - 09.2025
- Spearheaded the design and launch of a workforce development program serving diverse populations, with a focus on traditional trades
- Direct strategic partnerships with employers, trade unions, and educational institutions to align training with workforce needs
- Secured and manage multi-source funding, including foundation grants, government awards, and corporate sponsorships
- Oversee program staff, instructors, and volunteers to ensure high-quality curriculum delivery and participant support
- Established outcome tracking systems to measure job placement, certification attainment, and career advancement
- Advocate for workforce development priorities with funders, community stakeholders, and policymakers
- Oversaw recruitment and enrollment strategies, increasing participation rates among underserved and underrepresented populations
- Implemented wraparound support services including career coaching, transportation assistance, and job readiness training to reduce barriers to success.
Operations Director
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
10.2018 - 05.2024
- Provided daily HR support to including employee relations, compensation, staffing and recruitment, performance management, ad hoc reporting and compliance with HR policies and procedures
- New employee onboarding
- Developed and implemented employee training and professional development programs
- Coordinated and administered employee benefit plans including benefit packages, employee recognition, FMLA, workers’ compensation, and wellness
- Provided ongoing coaching and feedback to leaders to elevate their managerial effectiveness
- Continually monitored and maintained company policies and procedures, and manages the overall company communication plan
- Kept abreast of legal issues relating to employment and employees
- Coordinated all schedules including staffing, production, and delivery to maximize efficiency
- Used data to inform action
- Ongoing development of standard operating procedures to increase efficiency and efficacy
- Stewarded existing contracts while working to increase customer base
- Responded to and rectified all customer and client complaints
- Transitioned the temporary job program from a skeleton program to one with a robust offering of training opportunities and supportive services
- Oversaw the delivery of the culinary curriculum
- Implemented the PA Dept. of Labor apprenticeship program
- Audited all student databases
- Worked with Education Director on all aspects of PA Dept. of Education reporting requirements
- Represented the agency at state conferences including ApprenticeshipPA and Interagency Agency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities & Economic Revitalization
- Oversaw the POWER grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to diversify opportunity and workforce development in the Appalachian Region
Special Worker
Tri-State Regional Service Office
Homestead, PA
11.2017 - 09.2018
- Provided QuickBooks reporting for sale and inventory management
- Managed inventory to ensure proper par levels
- Using sales history and projected sales, created purchase orders and received deliveries
Administrative Manager/Marketing
Accent Music and School for Performing Arts
Pittsburgh, PA
04.2016 - 03.2018
- Tracked all accounts payable/receivable
- Monthly invoicing
- Created streamlined system for tracking payments, collecting late payments
- Coordinated fundraising campaigns and prepared associated reports
- Recruited volunteer teams for various performances/events
- Prepare public relations/marketing materials for events and to increase student enrollment
Development Consultant
Youth Opportunities Development
Clairton, PA
10.2014 - 06.2016
- Development of personnel manual, SOPs, and various agency policies
- Initiated organizational strategic plan and logic model
- Represent organization at funding meetings, on collaborative boards, and in the community
- Identify, research, and pursue all applicable funding opportunities
- Creation and maintenance of database to track client progress, donors, grant funds, etc.
- Provide all reporting associated with funded proposals
Student Services
Pittsburgh Technical College
Oakdale, PA
07.2007 - 01.2016
- Collected, recorded, and processed student fees, charges, and refunds
- Developed system for reporting various student needs including maintenance, resources, etc.
- Developed and facilitated annual paraprofessional training program
- Maintenance and reconciliation of monthly and annual programming budgets
- Managed four building housing complex with population of 188 students
- Coordinated student move-in, simplified process for student move-out
- Conducted student disciplinary hearings and mediations
- Volunteered on the ESOP Education Committee
- Designed, facilitated, and evaluated diverse need-based programming for students and ongoing paraprofessional training
- Coordinated services for students lacking necessary resources
- Initiated gender specific programming for young women
- Assisted in coordination of annual Santa Project to benefit Pittsburgh families
- Maintenance of monthly and annual programming budgets
Director/Development Officer
One Vision One Life, Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2007 - 11.2011
- Monitored programming for compliance with requirements of funding
- Redesigned and supervised the girls’ and women’s program
- Recruited and supervised staff of six community coordinators
- Developed and maintained relationships with funding agencies
- Established and maintained electronic records management system for client, program, and funding data
- Analyzed client and programming records for quarterly reporting
- Produced media and public relations materials for organization
- Provided all necessary information for board, committee, and community meetings
- Represented organization at various local, state, and national meetings and conferences
- Coordinated summer employment program for at-risk boys and young men
- Taught six week employment skills training for young men
- Designed and facilitated leadership series for young women
- Collaborated to provide various workforce development trainings for target populations
Program Director
State Reintegration Program, Abraxas
Wilkinsburg, PA
08.2005 - 01.2007
- Reviewed and approved all clients’ Individualized Service Plans
- Maintained regional and statewide database
- Represented Pittsburgh region at state conferences
- Audited files for compliance with state regulations
- Created individualized service plans for reentry with YDC/YFC staff while youth was in placement to provide a continuum of services upon release
- Utilizing data to inform program development
- Completed youth risk assessment, along with community and family assessments
- Evaluated client progress for program completion
Education
Philosophy
Washington And Jefferson College
Washington, PA05-2001
Accounting and Business Admin
Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA01-2020
Skills
- Program design and development
- Data entry, tracking, and analysis
- Employee benefit coordination and administration
- QuickBooks, inventory management, and database software
- SOP Development
- Business admin and development
- Research
- MS Office Suite, Tableau, and CRMs
- Training facilitation
- Staff development
- Operational efficiency
- Strategic planning and execution
Awards
Bank of America, Neighborhood Builders Emerging Leader 2022
Timeline
Operations Director
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh
10.2025 - Current
Director of Workforce Development
Rivers of Steel
05.2024 - 09.2025
Operations Director
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh
10.2018 - 05.2024
Special Worker
Tri-State Regional Service Office
11.2017 - 09.2018
Administrative Manager/Marketing
Accent Music and School for Performing Arts
04.2016 - 03.2018
Development Consultant
Youth Opportunities Development
10.2014 - 06.2016
Student Services
Pittsburgh Technical College
07.2007 - 01.2016
Director/Development Officer
One Vision One Life, Inc.
01.2007 - 11.2011
Program Director
State Reintegration Program, Abraxas
08.2005 - 01.2007
Accounting and Business Admin
Community College of Allegheny County
Philosophy
Washington And Jefferson College