Andrew Runnette

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Your Strategic Partner for Operational Excellence and Sustainable Growth.

With a rich blend of over 25 years in operations, financial planning, and leadership within the commercial real estate and flexible industrial space sector, Andrew Runnette stands out as a strategic partner to businesses aiming for growth. Andrew's journey from the front lines at Whole Foods to the strategic helm at Portal Warehousing showcases his adept ability in structuring operations for scalability, executing financial strategies for sustainability, and cultivating teams for success. His ro…

Andrew Runnette

Experience

  • Portal Warehousing

    Portal Warehousing

    Chief Operations Officer

    May 2022 - Present

    Portal Warehousing offers flexible warehouse spaces across the US, catering to small businesses and e-commerce merchants.

    • Led strategic growth planning, resulting in the successful expansion of co-warehousing services nationwide.
    • Implemented standardized operational procedures, enhancing overall productivity and customer service quality.
    • Increased brand visibility through targeted marketing and digital campaigns, optimizing ROI.
    • Established financial operations to ensure accurate reporting and compliance, improving investor relations.
  • Natural Food Solutions

    Natural Food Solutions

    Independent Consultant

    Sep 2016 - Present

    Natural Food Solutions provides specialized consulting services for food and beverage CPG brands.

  • Portal Warehousing

    Portal Warehousing

    COO

    Jun 2022 - Dec 2025

    Portal Warehousing provides high-quality small warehouse spaces with the flexibility and simplicity growing businesses need. We offer turn-key, move-in-ready units without long-term leases, along with coworking amenities and a vibrant community of businesses. Our mission is to let you focus on growing your business while we reimagine what a warehouse can be. In short, we’re redefining what a warehouse can be for startups, e-commerce brands, enterprise companies, and creatives.

    • Built core operational and financial systems for multi-site operations, including accounting workflows and automated reporting.
    • Managed P&L, bookkeeping, accounting, budgets, payroll coordination, and investor reporting while leading operations, facilities, and member success teams.
    • Designed SOPs and onboarding systems that standardized service delivery across locations as the company scaled nationally.
    • Implemented automation and dashboards to shorten reporting cycles and improve cash-flow visibility.
    • Scaled the company from $0 to $600K MRR and 0 to over 400 members under my leadership. Opened 7 locations with two more opening in early 2026.
  • Portal Warehousing

    Portal Warehousing

    Director Of Operations

    Jun 2022 - Jul 2023

    • Developed and executed infrastructure and financial strategies for nationwide expansion of co-warehousing services.
    • Managed daily operations of Community Managers across multiple facilities, improving workflow efficiency.
  • Pod Foods

    Pod Foods

    Director of Logistics Operations

    Aug 2021 - May 2022

    Pod is a B2B distribution platform connecting emerging food brands with grocery buyers through innovative logistics solutions.

    • Managed logistics and operations across six major cities, directly contributing to a 10% month-over-month revenue growth.
    • Implemented service level agreements in six warehouses, maintaining expenses while increasing operational efficiency.
    • Led strategic growth planning to support nationwide expansion efforts, aligning operations with company goals.
  • Pod Foods

    Pod Foods

    Operations Manager

    Jun 2021 - Aug 2021

  • Pod Foods

    Pod Foods

    Director of Logistics & Operations

    May 2021 - Jun 2022

    Pod is the leading solution for omni-channel sales representation for CPG brands at every stage of growth.

    • Spearheaded the national rollout from 2 to 7 warehouses, handling site expansion planning, financial modeling, and systems automation.
    • Directly managed the logistics and inventory team, overseeing day-to-day operations and data analysis for a high-growth food & beverage startup.
    • Implemented comprehensive SLAs that drove a consistent 10% monthly increase in outbound revenue while maintaining strict expense discipline.
    • Grew the team from myself to 4 team members in Logistics and Operations.
  • KnowCap Interactive

    KnowCap Interactive

    Business Development Consultant

    Mar 2021 - Jun 2021

    KnowCap Interactive assists entrepreneurs in transforming ideas into successful businesses through community support.

  • Valiant Sheet Metal & Construction

    Chief Operating Officer

    Mar 2018 - May 2021

    Valiant Sheet Metal & Construction specializes in customized sheet metal fabrications and construction solutions.

    • Led growth strategy, increasing business revenue from $275K to $1.8M in 2020.
    • Developed and implemented new operational policies, enhancing operational efficiency and compliance.
    • Oversaw sales and bidding processes, ensuring quality and timely project delivery.
    • Managed a team, fostering professional growth and productivity.
  • Valiant Sheet Metal & Construction

    Valiant Sheet Metal & Construction

    Fractional COO

    Feb 2018 - May 2021

    Subcontractor in the custom homes industry doing sheet metal, roofing and some general construction.

    • Scaled annual revenue from $275K to $1.8M through operational restructuring and process improvements.
    • Established financial reporting, scheduling, and compliance processes; led sales/bidding and supply chain initiatives.
    • Hired and developed cross-functional teams to support growth and project delivery.
  • Metta Culture

    Chief Operating Officer

    Oct 2016 - Jun 2017

    Metta Culture provides holistic support to professional athletes and entrepreneurs, focusing on lifestyle transformations.

    • Developed operational strategies to deliver healthy meals to Major League Baseball players during the season.
    • Coordinated logistics and vendor partnerships to ensure timely meal deliveries nationwide.
  • Whole Foods Market

    Whole Foods Market

    Associate Prepared Foods Coordinator

    Aug 2007 - Oct 2014

    • Supervised the Prepared Foods Department for 55 stores, enhancing culinary direction and training programs.
    • Led expansion efforts, designing and opening 35 new locations and 12 in-store restaurants/bars.
    • Drove sales growth through innovative purchasing and strategizing initiatives.
  • Whole Foods Market

    Whole Foods Market

    Store Team Leader & Regional Prepared Foods Coordinator

    May 2003 - Oct 2016

    Whole Food Market is a national organic grocery retailer.

    • Led 400+ team members across two flagship high-volume stores, managing a complex P&L and generating a combined $115M+ in annual revenue.
    • Opened 37 Prepared Foods departments and 12 in-store restaurants across multiple U.S. regions (SoCal, HI, AZ, NV), managing capital expenditures, hiring pipelines, and critical path timelines.
    • Facilitated regional operational training for 6,000+ team members in 55 stores, standardizing SOPs for food safety, production efficiency, and guest service.
    • Oversaw a $300M+ annualized regional business unit, driving profitability through rigorous labor forecasting, margin control, and shrinkage reduction strategies.
    • Pioneered the "Grocerant" concept rollout, transforming traditional grocery service counters into full-service hospitality venues, significantly increasing prepared foods margins.
    • Served as a strategic partner to global leadership, piloting new operational initiatives in the Southern California region before national implementation.
    • Developed and executed regional menu strategies, balancing culinary innovation with supply chain feasibility to maximize gross margin and customer engagement.
    • Built high-performance culture in high-turnover environments, achieving some of the region's highest internal promotion and retention rates through mentorship and development programs.
  • Whole Foods Market

    Whole Foods Market

    Associate Store Team Leader

    May 2003 - Aug 2016

    Whole Foods Market is a leading food retailer known for organic and natural produce, emphasizing sustainability.

    • Managed day-to-day operations of a high-traffic store, serving over 30,000 customers weekly.
    • Oversaw 400+ team members, optimizing team performance and store efficiency.
    • Improved perishable goods management, enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction.
  • Uno’s Chicago Pizzeria

    Senior Sous Chef

    May 2001 - May 2003

    Uno’s Chicago Pizzeria is renowned for its iconic deep-dish pizza and diverse menu offerings.

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