At Sodexo, food safety isn’t just about following procedures; it’s about protecting the people and communities we serve. Every day, our teams bring care, accountability and a commitment to creating safe dining experiences for the students, guests and clients who trust us.
For Kyle Bryant, that commitment has been a constant throughout more than two decades with Sodexo. Today, as an Operations Manager at Bridgewater State University and a District Safety Coordinator supporting university teams across the region, Kyle draws on a career spanning culinary, operations, and safety leadership to support his teams and make food safety part of everyday culture.
From the Kitchen to Operations Leadership
Kyle’s Sodexo journey began in 2002, when he joined the Greater Boston market as a Relief Chef. After his first year, he transitioned to Hasbro Toy Company, where he spent 13 years as an Executive Chef in Corporate Services. During that time, he also expanded his involvement beyond his day-to-day responsibilities, serving as the New England Chair for the Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG), Intergenerational Network Group (IGEN).
His career later took him to AbbVie in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he continued as an Executive Chef for five years and helped lead operations.
In 2021, a former General Manager encouraged Kyle to explore an Operations Manager opportunity at Bridgewater State University. The move marked an important shift in his career, taking him from back-of-house culinary leadership into front-of-house operations while allowing him to develop a new skill set.
“Moving from a back-of-house culinary leadership role to a front-of-house operations position was a significant challenge, but it has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Kyle says. “I have enjoyed expanding my skill set, learning new aspects of the business, and continuing to grow as a leader while supporting students, guests, and team members every day.”
That focus on operational excellence naturally led Kyle deeper into safety leadership, where he now helps guide teams on practices that protect employees, guests and the communities they serve.
Food Safety Starts with Trust
Although Kyle’s roles have changed throughout his career, one responsibility has remained constant: keeping people safe.
“Food safety is the #1 thing we do here at Sodexo,” Kyle says. “At its core, it is about protecting the health and well-being of every student, guest, and team member we serve. Food is something people trust us with every day, and trust comes with a tremendous responsibility.”
In a university dining environment, maintaining that trust requires consistency at every step. Dining teams serve thousands of meals during peak periods while managing multiple locations, food allergies, staffing changes and the daily demands of a large operation.
For Kyle and his team, that begins before the first meal is served. Daily Safety Walks engage employees at the start of the day, while routine audits and observations help identify opportunities for improvement.
Standardized procedures, clear communication and accountability help ensure a consistent approach throughout the operation.
The team also prioritizes allergen management, cross-contamination prevention and proper equipment operation. But Kyle believes strong processes are only a part of creating a safe environment. Just as important is building a culture where every team member understands their responsibility and feels empowered to speak up when something does not look right.
Building a Culture of Safety
For Kyle, maintaining a safe dining environment depends on more than procedures. They require continuous learning, clear expectations and a team that understands the role each person plays in keeping others safe.
“Food safety is not a one-time lesson; it requires continuous learning and reinforcement,” Kyle says.
Through onboarding, monthly training, Safety Walks and hands-on learning, employees continue building their knowledge throughout the year. Teams also use real-world examples and lessons learned from industry incidents to reinforce not only what to do, but why those actions matter.
Sodexo supports this work through comprehensive safety programs, training resources, audits, technology tools and access to subject matter experts. As a District Safety Coordinator, Kyle contributes to that support system by helping teams evaluate their operations, identify opportunities for improvement and strengthen their approach to safety.
Ultimately, the goal is to help employees recognize the impact of their everyday decisions. When team members understand how their actions can protect the health and well-being of the people they serve, safety becomes part of the culture and a shared responsibility.
Building a Career with Purpose
More than two decades after beginning his Sodexo career as a Relief Chef, Kyle continues to find new ways to learn, lead, and contribute. His path from the kitchen to operations and safety leadership reflects how a career can evolve through continuous learning, a commitment to service and a dedication to keeping others safe.
At Sodexo, there is no single path to building a meaningful career. From culinary and operations to safety and leadership, employees can explore new opportunities, develop new skills and make a difference in the people and communities they serve.
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