Andrew R.

Los Angeles, CA, USA

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, CPG, Food Tech, 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 Pod Foods & Portal Warehousing showcases his adept ability in structuring operations for scalability, executing financial strategies for sustainability, and cult…

Andrew R.

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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