Taylor Duff
Assistant Food Service Leader
Pella,IA
Summary
Professional food service leader with strong track record in high-quality food service operations. Demonstrates effective team collaboration and adaptability to changing needs. Skilled in inventory management, staff training, and customer service. Known for reliability and achieving results in fast-paced environments. Committed to maintaining high sanitation standards and promoting a culture of excellence.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Food Service Leader
Kwik Star
08.2025 - Current
- Reduced food waste by closely monitoring inventory levels and implementing proper food storage techniques.
- Increased sales through the promotion of daily specials and seasonal menu items.
- Collaborated with Food Service Leader to develop innovative marketing solutions, resulting in increased customer interest and repeat business.
- Supported supply management efforts through accurate inventory counts and diligent vendor communication to maintain adequate stock levels at all times.
- Ensured food safety compliance by regularly conducting thorough inspections of kitchen equipment and work areas.
- Established excellent rapport with coworkers to foster a cohesive team environment that maximized efficiency in all aspects of food service operations.
- Maintained compliance with all company policies, procedures, and local health regulations to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and sanitation through correct procedures and scheduled cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
Fashion Team Lead
Walmart
Pella, Iowa
01.2025 - 07.2025
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and employee recognition initiatives.
- Enhanced overall team performance by providing regular coaching, feedback, and skill development opportunities.
- Established clear performance metrics for the team which helped in tracking progress towards set targets effectively.
- Coached team members in techniques necessary to complete job tasks.
- Trained new team members by relaying information on company procedures and safety requirements.
- Served as a role model for the team by demonstrating commitment to excellence, professionalism, and adherence to company values at all times.
- Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
Food and Consumables Team Lead
Walmart
Pella, Iowa
01.2021 - 01.2025
- Influenced positive change within the organization through strategic thinking, innovation, problem-solving abilities, and consistent leadership style.
- Collaborated with other department leads to streamline workflows, improve interdepartmental coordination, and achieve business goals collectively.
- Increased customer satisfaction by ensuring timely completion of projects and adherence to high-quality standards.
- Evaluated employee skills and knowledge regularly, training, and mentoring individuals with lagging skills.
- Managed time off requests and found coverage for short shifts.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
- Cultivated positive relationships with vendors to deliver timely and cost-effective supply of services and materials.
Kitchen Manager
Applebee's
Pella, Iowa
08.2019 - 08.2020
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all health department regulations and guidelines.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen team and service areas for optimal guest experiences.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly, addressing any skill gaps or growth opportunities through ongoing training initiatives.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Implemented and maintained food safety and sanitation standards to establish safe handling and preparation of food.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and optimizing staff scheduling.
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.
- Increased overall profitability with effective budget management, including cost control strategies for purchasing and labor expenses.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with attentiveness to dietary restrictions and allergen concerns in menu offerings.
- Achieved rapid ticket times during peak service hours by effectively managing workflow distribution across various stations.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
Key Hourly Supervisor
Applebee's
Pella, Iowa
07.2017 - 08.2019
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Improved customer satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Resolved conflicts among team members promptly, maintaining a harmonious working environment conducive to productivity.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Central College
Pella, IA 05.2001 -
Skills
Food safety compliance
Certification
Certified Food Safety Manager (NRFSP)
Timeline
Assistant Food Service Leader
Kwik Star
08.2025 - Current
Fashion Team Lead
Walmart
01.2025 - 07.2025
Certified Food Safety Manager (NRFSP)
05-2024
Food and Consumables Team Lead
Walmart
01.2021 - 01.2025
Kitchen Manager
Applebee's
08.2019 - 08.2020
Key Hourly Supervisor
Applebee's
07.2017 - 08.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Central College
05.2001 -
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