Vilma Rivera, Custodial Manager at the University of Southern California, has always believed in the power of teamwork, whether its with students on campus or in collaboration with her staff.
Vilma Rivera, Custodial Manager
Throughout her career, Vilma Rivera (she/her) has learned that to be a leader, you must first set an example. In her work as Custodial Manager at the University of Southern California, she embraces the power of honest communication, empathetic service, and collaborative teamwork.
“We’re a team. I know everybody has their weaknesses, but we work as a team every day. If my staff has a question, they’re free to call me at any time. I’m always available – seven days, 24 hours because the people I work with are human beings. Everyone has problems, so I’m always available for them. It doesn’t matter if they work on my team or if they work with a different manager – we are all a team at Aramark.”
Beginning her career as a part-time employee in 1991, Rivera has become an important leader for Aramark at the USC campus, helping train future front line workers and leaders for the organization.
“I’m very proud of this facility. Aramark has seen this facility as an example for others. Managers have come here to learn what we do, and then they bring those skills and knowledge to different facilities.”
When it comes to teamwork, Rivera echoes Aramark’s commitment to valuing the personal and professional lives of employees.
“I don’t see our employees – our custodial staff – as employees only. I see them as partners.”
Rivera empowers her team daily to serve with passion, but she has also become passionate about serving the larger community at USC. When the Swim With Mike foundation came to South Central, Rivera sprang into action. Swim With Mike provides financial resources for the education of physically challenged athletes.
“It’s the right thing to do – to help people. Raising money and taking part helps our group be together and do something good for others. I feel like it’s a great thing we can do and to help have our name as Aramark supporting this cause and event.”
Recognized for her extraordinary achievements and dedication to her team and community, Rivera was honored as a top Service Star at Aramark in 2019. Only 200 of Aramark’s exceptional team members from around the world with this honor were named to the company’s Ring of Stars. Rivera represents the best of Aramark, going above and beyond in her role to enrich and nourish the lives of thousands of people in Los Angeles.
“I cannot even believe it happened. I do all these things, but I don’t think about them as my job. I really believe when you do things, you do them because you enjoy doing it or want to do it. I never thought my manager was seeing what I was doing but he did. It was such a special moment. Most importantly, my daughter was able to come with me to the Ring of Stars celebration – it was a great moment in my career.”
To learn more about Vilma’s experience working in higher education, growth opportunities in her career, and why she loves the line of facilities, check out the Q&A in this post!
— Vilma Rivera, Custodial Manager at University of Southern California
Hear more from our conversation with Vilma in the Q&A section below.
How is your relationship with your supervisors and staff?
We’re a team. I know everybody has their weaknesses, but we work as a team every day. If my staff has a question, they’re free to call me at any time. I’m always available – seven days, 24 hours because the people I work with are human beings. Everyone has problems, so I’m always available for them. It doesn’t matter if they work on my team or if they work with a different manager – we are all a team at Aramark.
Do you see growth and opportunity at Aramark?
I’ve seen several people here work hard, study here, start as part-time employees, and now they are supervisors. When you have opportunities coming, you have to be prepared. I sometimes make mistakes. I’m not perfect, but when I see potential in someone, I will talk with them and work with them. It’s rare to find someone now that really wants to grow. You have to be very ambitious and work hard. You have to work hard to get to where you want to be in your life and career. If you want something good in your life and your job, you have to give it 100%. Aramark is a company that gives you opportunities. You have to be prepared to do the best job you can, and prepare yourself for any opportunity, because you will have it.
How would you describe your role and approach to leadership?
Sometimes it’s custodial and cleaning, and sometimes it’s supervising. In my mind, a manager has a lot of different roles, but as a manager, you have to set an example in order to lead others. You need to be able to do every role and know everything related to the services we provide.
What do you like about working in facilities management?
I love the challenges that we have every single day. Every day, we don’t come in to do the same thing we did yesterday – every day is different. We have we have crazy moments, but we work together.
Vilma Rivera
Madison, NJ
Job ID: 348161
Atlanta, GA
Job ID: 350647
Washington, DC
Job ID: 355327
A lo largo de su carrera, Vilma Rivera ha aprendido que, para ser líder, primero debes dar el ejemplo. En su trabajo como Gerente de Conserjería en la Universidad del Sur de California, abraza el poder de la comunicación honesta, el servicio empático y el trabajo en equipo colaborativo.
“Somos un equipo. Sé que todas las personas tienen sus debilidades, pero trabajamos en equipo todos los días. Si mi personal tiene alguna pregunta, puede llamarme en cualquier momento . Siempre estoy disponible, los siete días, 24 horas porque las personas con las que trabajo son seres humanos. Todas las personas tienen problemas, así que siempre estoy disponible para ellos. No importa si trabajan en mi equipo o si trabajan con un gerente diferente – todos somos un equipo en Aramark.”
Al comenzar su Carrera como empleada a tiempo parcial en 1991, Rivera se ha convertido en una líder importante para Aramark en el campus de la USC, ayudando a capacitar a los futuros trabajadores de primera línea y líderes de la organización.
“Estoy muy orgullosa de esta instalación. Aramark ha visto esta instalación como un ejemplo para otros. Los gerentes han venido aquí para aprender lo que hacemos y luego llevan esas habilidades y conocimientos a diferentes instalaciones ”
Cuando se trata de trabajo en equipo, Rivera se hace eco del compromiso de Aramark para valorar la vida personal y profesional de los empleados.
“No veo a nuestros empleados, nuestro personal de conserjes, solo como empleados. Los veo como socios”
Rivera empodera a su equipo a diario para server con pasión, pero también se ha apasionado por server a la comunidad en general en la USC. Cuando la Fundación Swim With Mike llegó a South Central, Rivera entró en acción. Swim With Mike proporciona recursos financieros para la educación de atletas con discapacidades físicas.
“Es lo correcto a hacer – ayudar a las personas. Recaudar dinero y ayudar nuestro grupo a estar unido y hacer algo Bueno por los demás. Siento que es una gran cosa que Podemos hacer y ayudar a tener nuestro nombre como Aramark apoyando esta causa y evento”
Reconocida por sus extraordinarios logros y dedicación a su equipo y comunidad, Rivera fue honrada como una Estrella del alto servicio en Aramark en 2019. Solo 200 de los miembros excepcionales del equipo de Aramark de todo el mundo con este honor fueron nombrados para el Anillo de Estrellas de la Compañía. Rivera representa lo mejor de Aramark, yendo más allá en su papel para enriquecer y nutrir las vidas de miles de personas en los Ángeles.
“Yo no puedo creer que sucedió. Hago todas estas cosas, pero no las consideré mi trabajo. Realmente creo que cuando haces cosas, las haces porque disfrutas o quieres hacerlas. Nunca pensé que mi gerente estuviera viendo lo que estaba hacienda, pero lo hizo. Fue un momento tan especial. Lo más importante es que mi hija pudo acompañarme a la celebración del Anillo de las Estrellas – fue un gran momento en mi carrera”
April 16, 2021
As Custodial Manager, Martires Germonsen has created a culture of inclusion and exceptional service within Aramark's Facilities line of business.
Read MoreMarch 23, 2021
Mike Smucker, Resident District Manager in our Healthcare Line of Business, takes pride in serving alongside healthcare practitioners, managing a number of facilities and leading passionate teams to success.
Read More