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Sodexo Name: Mercedes Macres
Age: 50
Title: Operations Manager, The National Academies of Sciences
Company: Sodexo Inc.
Location: Washington, DC
Monster: What led you to choose a career in the food service industry?
Mercedes Macres: I enjoy being in the hospitality business. I have great customer service skills.
M: What led you to your current position at Sodexo?
MM: I wanted to take the initiative to make things better and provide excellent service to clients and customers, as well as create and encourage an environment in which employees continuously learn and embrace change
M: What do you do in your position?
MM: Right now I am operations manager at The National Academies of Sciences. The National Academies perform an unparalleled public service by bringing together committees of experts in all areas of scientific and technological endeavors. These experts serve pro bono to address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public.
Four organizations comprise the Academies: the
National Academy of Sciences, the
National Academy of Engineering, the
Institute of Medicine and the
National Research Council.
I have two facilities, and I am responsible for daily operations. My areas of responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Supervision of 20 hourly associates.
- Training and assisting in the development of required job skills with new associates.
- Monitoring catering events.
- Payroll.
- Assisting my executive chef with purchasing and inventory control.
- Monthly promotion and conducting monthly food and physical safety training.
- Assisting bookkeeper with daily, weekly and monthly accounting data.
M: Bring us through your typical day.
MM: My day starts early in the morning. I greet all the staff and provide opening cash banks to the cashiers. Some days, I may need to assist with morning catering deliveries.
When we open for breakfast, I check the front of the house, ensuring the food presentation is perfect. I assist the team as needed, being sure to place milk and beverage orders and check on any deliveries coming in.
The afternoon is more of the same, and ensuring that the café lunch and afternoon catering goes off as planned. I monitor the front of the house for food quality and presentation as well as labor management. I meet with the catering team daily and order fresh pastries and desserts for the following day.
We have a leadership team conference call every Tuesday. I also attend meetings with the client and others when scheduled. Between meal times and ordering, I may also be involved with staff training, scheduling, inventory, payroll and financial tracking.
Being responsible for two locations, I also make time to visit the other building and make sure they have the needed supplies. It’s a very busy day!
M: What have been the biggest rewards in your career?
MM: Being able to accomplish my goal and hold several positions within my career, as well as graduating from the Sodexo School of Retail Management.
M: What are some of the challenges you take pleasure in for your job?
MM: When I set a goal or project and then see positive results at the end.
M: What do you like most about working for Sodexo?
MM: It’s a great company to work for, with a lot of opportunities, sources and training for career development. Sodexo also offers diversity outreach programs.
M: What’s the best advice you could give to someone looking to get into your field?
MM: To have a lot of patience and know how to handle difficult customers and employees. No matter what, the customer is always right. Also, to serve as a role model and be dependable. Finally, treat everyone with courtesy and respect at all times.
MM: What do you look for when you interview people on behalf of Sodexo?
M: I look for someone who demonstrates trust, motivation, passion and commitment.