Catering Service Manager

Compass Group; Waterloo; On-site; USD 56,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Catering Service Manager to lead the planning and execution of diverse catering events. This role requires a dynamic individual who excels in managing client relationships and ensuring the highest quality service. The Catering Service Manager will oversee every aspect of events, from budgeting to vendor coordination, ensuring that each event reflects the brand's commitment to excellence. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a flair for hospitality, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in the catering world.

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Paid Parental Leave

Holiday Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in managing events and guest experiences.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Excellent judgment and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute unique catering events to client satisfaction.
• Manage profit and loss for each event, ensuring budget adherence.
• Coordinate with clients, vendors, and event staff for successful events.

Skills

Leadership

Event Management

Budgeting

Negotiation

Communication

Problem Solving

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management

Equivalent Experience

Tools

Event Planning Software

Budgeting Software

Job description

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Salary: $56,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Commission Plan (Up to $20,000 based on Sales)

Pay Grade: 13

Wolfgang Puck Catering is committed to recruiting individuals who express an interest in and passion for hospitality-driven experiences; who come from diverse backgrounds, are open-minded and curious about our clients and guests; and, most of all, who possess a welcoming smile and spirit. Our ultimate goal is to develop mentoring and career building opportunities through a talent pipeline that allows us to promote from within.

"The most important thing in life, whatever you do, has to be passion." Wolfgang Puck

Success on our team starts with our culture:

• We have Wolfgang's PASSION for our business, our product, and our people / guests / clients.
• A FLEXIBLE MINDSET is key; we are strategic business partners who wear multiple hats.
• Our services require a CONCIERGE mentality, a bias to action with humble hospitality.
• We are out-of-the-box PROBLEM SOLVERS, who look around corners so our clients and guests don't have to.
• We curate company and partner resources to bring our client's vision to life. We seek to cultivate the next generation of talent, purveyors and partnerships.
• We bring an entrepreneurial approach to deliver results for our clients (you might call this scrappy).
• Collaboration and openness to innovative business tools, new ways of thinking, and ability to partner across departments are essential to create optimal business solutions.

"I can have the best food, but if we don't have good people, it won't get you very far."

Job Summary

The Catering Service Manager is responsible for planning, directing, controlling, and executing a wide variety of unique catering events, each of which must be managed to the aesthetic and economic satisfaction of separate and independent clients, in a fluid and dynamic working environment. This individual is responsible for profit and loss with respect to managing each event he/she is assigned as to menu, setting, collateral entertainment, vendor selection, department interaction, and all other necessary or appropriate aspects. Catering events include special corporate hospitality events like concerts, award ceremonies, film premieres, launch/release parties, fashion shows, commercial events, and private (personal) events such as weddings, anniversaries, and bar mitzvahs. Critical to this position is management of brand integrity to maintain and deliver Wolfgang Puck's quality vision of the Brand, "Live, Love Eat." This individual must keep abreast of trends and developments in the industry, locale, and type of function including such matters as menus, trends in business expectations, consumer tastes, event variety, and management.

The Catering Service Manager has overall responsibility for each event and interacts with clients and vendors on a regular basis. The Catering Service Manager is ultimately responsible for the overall success of each event and must have excellent people skills to negotiate and, as necessary, re-negotiate various aspects of the event with the clients and with vendors. The Catering Service Manager has the authority to resolve client, staff, and vendor complaints. The Catering Service Manager conducts regular meetings to coordinate the work and function of each department and vendor involved in the event. The Catering Service Manager must have excellent business, aesthetic, and interpersonal judgment. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to, site surveying, client service, budget analysis and preparation, procurement, health and safety, menu selection, event design, logistics, negotiation and re-negotiation, and technical and logistical planning for the event.

Duties include:

1. Consulting with clients as to scope, expectations, setting, menu, collateral entertainment, and the like to have a successful and appropriate event within the client's budget;
2. Planning menus in consultation with the clients and chefs;
3. Maintaining and developing accurate financial and administrative records;
4. Interacting with clients and event staff at all levels;
5. Liaising and coordinating with Sales Catering Managers, Supervising Chefs, Staffing, Captains, Suppliers, Vendors, Rental Companies, and Clients as needed to plan events;
6. Assessing contract requirements and ensuring satisfaction with the services delivered;
7. Resolving customer concerns and ensuring timely customer payment.

The Catering Service Manager takes the lead in planning events and delegating the running of the entire catering event. This individual directs all aspects of the event, including dealing with managers, vendors, supervisors, security, management of the facilities, health and safety, monitors quality standards, and deals independently with client and staffing issues during the event.

Competencies/Experience & Educational Requirements

* Operationally savvy industry professional with demonstrated leadership in managing people, events, and the overall guest experience.
* Strong organization, time management, and team motivation skills are essential for success in this role.
* Good business judgment.
* Ability to work independently with little direct supervision.
* Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) with clients, senior management, and WPC support staff.
* Ability to respond effectively to continuously changing demands.
* Computer literate.
* Demonstrated experience in budgeting, sales forecasting, and reporting.
* Effective use of discretion to problem solve in a fast-paced environment.
* Excellent negotiating skills.
* Full working knowledge of BOH operations that include the ability to establish credibility with senior culinary professionals.
* Highly intelligent, driven, a quick learner, and with strong attention to detail.
* Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree (and/or equivalent experience) plus 2-3 years' experience in a hospitality management environment (preferably in a catering environment).
* The ability to manage in a fluid and dynamic environment with widely varying circumstances with focus on client service, entrepreneurship, and building and growing a strong business is essential to success in this job.

Apply to Wolfgang Puck today!

Wolfgang Puck Catering is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Associates at Wolfgang Puck Catering are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Personal Leave
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Wolfgang Puck Catering maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here for paid time off benefits information.

Req ID: 1409172

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Michael Abbey