Michael F. Martin is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of distinguished leadership in operations management, financial transformation, and strategic governance across the food, beverage, and service industries. Known for his ability to translate complex business challenges into actionable strategies, Michael has driven enterprise-wide change and sustained growth for some of the most prominent contract management and service organizations in North America. His journey reflects not only a mastery of operational dynamics but also a lifelong commitment to developing people, fostering innovation, and creating systems that enable excellence at every level.
Michael’s professional ascent began with a foundation in hospitality and service at Marriott Corporation, where he transitioned from entry-level roles to food production and general management. This early experience cultivated a deep respect for frontline operations and a practical understanding of customer service, both of which would serve as guiding principles throughout his career. These formative years were pivotal in shaping his people-first approach—one that values mentorship, empowerment, and measurable impact.
At Sodexo, where he spent over two decades, Michael held progressively senior roles that spanned finance, operations, internal audit, and systems transformation. He rose to the Vice President level, leading multiple enterprise initiatives that integrated technology, enhanced compliance, and improved cost efficiency. His tenure included spearheading the turnaround of critical IT projects, overseeing multimillion-dollar implementations such as Kronos Workforce Central, and delivering savings of over $60 million in labor costs. Michael’s ability to unify finance, HR, and operations in pursuit of shared goals earned him respect across departments and continents.
His leadership at Sodexo was marked by a blend of fiscal rigor and visionary thinking. As Vice President of Finance – Workforce Management, he transitioned application ownership from HR to Finance, enabling more strategic resource deployment and data-driven performance management. He also founded and led Sodexo’s Master Data Management and Food and Retail Systems teams, instilling operational visibility and business agility across 7,500 locations. These milestones underscore his unique strength in turning financial oversight into enterprise transformation.
In 2019, Michael joined Elior North America, a leader in contract food services operating across 46 U.S. states. As Executive Vice President of Service to Operations and Senior Vice President of Transformation, he continued to build on his legacy of impact. He recruited and led a cross-functional team of 25+ professionals to create and operationalize a new “Service Operations” platform, transforming support functions into strategic assets. His leadership brought structure, scale, and sophistication to Elior’s food management and procurement systems, which in turn delivered over $40 million in food cost efficiencies within four years.
Michael’s tenure at Elior also included establishing the company’s first centralized food safety department—an initiative that standardized practices and elevated risk management across five verticals. Under his leadership, operational excellence was not just a concept but a discipline that permeated systems, culture, and performance. His redesign of service delivery models, creation of governance baselines, and alignment of transformation roadmaps all contributed to a more responsive, efficient, and mission-aligned organization.
A hallmark of Michael’s career is his commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement. Whether managing multi-million-dollar budgets or leading cross-border teams, he consistently demonstrates the power of systems thinking paired with human-centric leadership. His approach to change management is hands-on and iterative, ensuring that people at all levels are informed, equipped, and engaged in the transformation journey.
Internationally, Michael’s experience spans France, Europe, and Canada, where he has facilitated system rollouts, governance processes, and operational turnarounds. His global exposure enhances his cultural fluency and informs his nuanced understanding of market dynamics and regulatory environments. He has been a trusted executive voice at global conferences and industry summits, including the Shared Services Conference, where he contributed thought leadership on operational transformation and shared value.
Michael’s educational background includes an MBA in Finance from Clark University and a BA in Government and Economics from Oberlin College. His professional development is anchored in Six Sigma, Lean Principles, and membership in institutions such as the Business Process Management Institute and the Institute of Management Accountants. These affiliations reflect his lifelong learning mindset and his passion for advancing the discipline of operations and finance.
Beyond the boardroom, Michael is an engaged community leader. He serves as a vestry member and food pantry volunteer at Trinity Episcopal Church and is actively involved in coaching youth football and fostering animals through the SPCA. These personal commitments mirror his professional ethos: leadership through service, impact through intention.
Character:
Michael leads with integrity and empathy, fostering inclusive environments where teams feel valued and accountable. His dedication to mentorship, community engagement, and ethical leadership has left a lasting imprint on every organization he’s served.
Knowledge:
With deep operational and financial expertise, Michael possesses a rare ability to bridge strategic vision with practical execution. His insights are grounded in decades of hands-on experience, cross-functional collaboration, and enterprise-scale initiatives.
Strategic:
Michael excels in aligning business processes with long-term growth objectives, driving transformation that is sustainable and scalable. His governance-focused leadership has redefined service delivery across complex, matrixed organizations.
Communication:
He is a compelling communicator who adapts his message for executive teams, frontline staff, and external stakeholders alike. Michael’s transparent and collaborative communication style builds trust and inspires alignment at every level.
