Stephanie Bruce
Redlands,CA
Summary
Accomplished and respected leader with 21 years of extensive experience leading Nutrition Service operations, projects and staff in school business organizations. Proven track record in guiding large, cross-functional teams in the support of quality and nutritious meals to support student achievement and academic success, increasing revenues, decreasing costs and improving efficiencies. Expert presenter, and businessperson; able to forge solid relationships with strategic partners and build consensus across multiple organizational levels. Skilled negotiator across a variety of union houses. Strong financial experience and expertise in maintaining positive fund balance.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Operations, Community Revitalization
San Bernardino County
05.2022 - Current
- Coordinate $95,000,000 state and federal grant budget for the Community Revitalization Department to provide affordable housing and services for homeless and those at risk of homelessness for San Bernardino County
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Cultivated strong relationships with external vendors to negotiate favorable terms for contracts and agreements.
- Facilitated interdepartmental communication channels to increase collaboration, knowledge sharing, and streamlined decision making.
- Managed cross-functional teams to ensure timely project delivery within scope and budget constraints.
Sr. Executive Director, Nutrition Services and Warehouse
Oakland USD
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Planned and forecast multi-year budgets for a $25 million Child Nutrition Fund operation serving 90 schools and 6.5 million meals annually
- Managed all elements of a corporate level business including troubleshooting brand new Central Kitchen facility to ensure operational ability
- Restructured management team, job descriptions and line level workforce to improve efficiency
- Sourced Chefs Brigaid to improve meal program with recipe development, menu design, kitchen operation and culinary training for all staff
- Rebranded department for launch of new meal program
- Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures to improve safety, sanitation and efficient kitchen operations
- Created external and internal website for better communication
- Implemented monthly newsletters to improve communication and employee appreciation
- Increased company efficiency by streamlining internal processes and implementing innovative project management strategies.
- Managed financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, and analysis to ensure fiscal responsibility and profitability targets were met or exceeded.
- Optimized supply chain operations to reduce costs, decrease lead times, and improve inventory management practices.
Director, Nutrition Services
Palm Springs Unified School District
07.2013 - 09.2021
- Planned and forecast multi-year budgets for a $15 million Child Nutrition Fund operation serving 27 schools and 4.3 million meals annually
- Managed all elements of a corporate level business including developing software programs to meet needs and increase efficiencies
- Established Code of Conduct for staff and procurement procedures to ensure accuracy, and proper cost controls
- Developed and design transportation needs and fleet management
- Developed process and procedures for a new, state of the art central facility
- Created a multi-million-dollar equipment replacement plan for refurbishment and replacement of aging equipment
- Successfully implemented paperless application management resulting in an increase of submitted applications by 400%
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
Director, Nutrition Services
Perris Union High School District
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Provided strategic vision, sound business expertise and leadership in aligning the budget to allow the department to run independently of the General Fund
- Streamlined contracts and developed a USDA process to utilize unspent dollars, resulting in payment of General Fund loan of $1.5 million dollars in 12 months
Education
CBO Certification Program -
Fiscal Crisis & Managment Assistance Team
Sacramento03-2020
Masters of Business Administration - Finance
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA04-2017
Bachelor of Science - Hotel/Restaurant Management
California Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA05-1999
Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies
State University of New York - Jefferson Community College
Watertown, NY05-1990
Skills
- Strategic Business Planning
- Budget Preparation
- Presentation
- Multi Year Budget Forecasting
- Financial negotiation
- Contract negotiation
- Profit & Loss Management
- Team Building
- Leadership
- Budgeting
- Cash Flow Optimization
- Logistics Management
Affiliations
- California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO)
- Association of School Administrators (ACSA)
- School Nutrition Association (SNA)
- California School Nutrition Association (CSNA)
- American Commodities Distribution Association (ACDA)
Professionalaccomplishments
- 2021, Classified Leader of the Year - Palm Springs USD - ACSA
- 2021, Classified Administrator of the Year - Palm Springs USD
- 2019, Champion of Excellence Palm Springs USD
- 2016 - Present, Educator California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO)
- 2016 - Present, Educator University of Southern California/Rossier School of Business
- 2016, Award for Leadership University of Redlands
- 2006, FAME, Silver Leadership
- 2004 - Present, Professional Council, Child Nutrition CASBO
Selectedachievements
- Established cost saving measures, streamlined services and reorganized three departments to gain financial success.
- Developed successful training program for employees to achieve professional development and advancement.
- Successfully implemented Universal Free Meals across district through CEP.
- Increased revenues by implementing standardized procedures, training, marketing, and utilizing social media to excite students.
Accomplishments
Classified Leader of the Year • Palm Springs USD • 2020
ACSA Administrator of the Year • Palm Springs USD • 2020
Champion of Excellence • Palm Springs USD • 2019
Educator • California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) • 2016 – Present
Educator • University of Southern California/Rossier School of Business • 2016 – Present
Excellence in Leadership • University of Redlands • 2016
FAME, Foodservice - Achievement – Management - Excellence, Silver Leadership Award • School Nutrition Association • 2006
Timeline
Chief of Operations, Community Revitalization
San Bernardino County
05.2022 - Current
Sr. Executive Director, Nutrition Services and Warehouse
Oakland USD
09.2021 - 05.2022
Director, Nutrition Services
Palm Springs Unified School District
07.2013 - 09.2021
Director, Nutrition Services
Perris Union High School District
01.2011 - 01.2013
CBO Certification Program -
Fiscal Crisis & Managment Assistance Team
Masters of Business Administration - Finance
University of Redlands
Bachelor of Science - Hotel/Restaurant Management
California Polytechnic University, Pomona
Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies
State University of New York - Jefferson Community College
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