Kathleen Tozzi

Annapolis, MD · kathleen.tozzi@gmail.com · linkedin.com/in/kathleentozzi

Operations leader with 24+ years in food, retail and specialty CPG. Open to fractional ops, contract projects, and full-time roles with food businesses.

Experience

• VP of Operations & Growth · Bright Beauty Connect (2024–2026)

  Led the evolution of the company's operating systems, from Google Sheets and Jotform prototypes to Airtable and a custom app built on Lovable, bringing scheduling, hiring, training, field communication and reporting together across hundreds of retail doors. Improved the client and field-team experience. Featured in The Wall Street Journal.

• Director of Business Development & Pastry Chef · True Chesapeake Oyster Co. (2021–2023)

  Dual role leading business development and the pastry program for a sustainable oyster farm and restaurant group. Built a chainwide DTC partnership with MOM's Organic Market (online orders, store pickup), launched in Whole Foods in multiple regions, and ran pastry for the group's fine dining restaurant.

• Director of Operations · Whitehall Mill Market (2019–2021)

  Led food hall and retail operations for a historic mill in Baltimore City: onboarded 9 vendor partners, handled permitting and licensing, and opened in the middle of COVID.

• Founder · The Fancy Schmancy Co. (2017–2018)

  Organic baked-goods brand in Washington, DC doing wholesale and catering, known for creative flavors. Developed the product and formulas, took the packaging into commercial production, and landed shelf placement at Whole Foods and distribution in NYC.

• Founder, Fractional Advisor · Spark Spoon (2016–present)

  Food consultancy for food and beverage makers: product development, go-to-market planning, and business development. Developed Blueberry Ginger and Blueberry Rosemary compotes for GrowFood Carolina, the nonprofit food hub in Charleston.

• Store Team Leader & Multi-Unit Leadership · Whole Foods Market (2004–2016)

  Ran high-volume stores, including Charlottesville, VA and Columbus and Cleveland, OH: full P&L, inventory, staffing and merchandising. Deployed an organic certification distribution system across 9 stores. Finished as Associate Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic region, building SOPs, training, and menus for in-store restaurant and bar venues.

• SuperHost & SuperHost Ambassador · Airbnb

  8 years as an Airbnb SuperHost across various properties and 2 years as an Airbnb SuperHost Ambassador. Focused on hospitality, guest experience, and creating welcoming spaces.

• Volunteer Chef Instructor · Cooking Matters

  Co-taught six-week cooking courses for families.

Education

• MS, Entrepreneurship · University of Florida
• Certificate in Food Product Development · Cornell University
• Culinary Arts & Hotel/Restaurant Management · Johnson & Wales University
• Raised in the family restaurant business

Strengths

Grocery readiness · Multi-unit ops · Wholesale & national accounts · Merchandising · CPG packaging & product development · Ops systems & AI tooling · Team scheduling · Pastry · Hospitality & hosting · Guest experience