Senior Manager, Catering

Socket.dev; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in Canada Edmonton seeks a Senior Manager, Catering to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all catering during live entertainment, NHL games, and events. You will manage the Catering Manager and team to ensure service excellence, food quality, and client satisfaction.

The role requires proven leadership in a live entertainment setting, plus flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Experience leading catering operations in a live entertainment environment.
• Experience in sports arenas or high-volume events preferred.
• Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts or Business Management.
• Proven leadership and team development skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple events and teams while meeting deadlines.
• Knowledge of food safety standards.
• Experience with catering/event planning software (e.g., Tripleseat, Caterease).
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for catering operations across all events.
• Oversee Catering Manager and leadership team.
• Establish standards, procedures, and service expectations.
• Plan and execute catering for live entertainment and events.
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and training.
• Collaborate with culinary, sales, and events teams.
• Maintain client relationships and handle escalated requests.
• Monitor budgets, labor, and costs to meet objectives.
• Analyze results and drive efficiency improvements.
• Ensure health and safety compliance.
• Lead post-event evaluations and drive improvements.
• Support proposals, menu development, and pricing.
• Ensure consistent service across operations.
• Follow Health & Safety policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Multitasking

Team development

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's in Hospitality Management/Culinary Arts/Business Management

Tools

Tripleseat

Caterease

Job description

The Senior Manager, Catering is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for all catering operations across live entertainment, NHL hockey operations and other events. This role oversees the Catering Manager and catering team, ensuring exceptional service, food quality, operational execution, financial performance, and client satisfaction. The successful candidate must have proven leadership experience managing catering operations within a live entertainment environment. The successful candidate must be available to work regular evenings, weekends, NHL games, and events based on operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for catering operations across all events
• Oversee, coach, and develop the Catering Manager and catering leadership team
• Establish and maintain operational standards, procedures, and service expectations
• Provide strategic direction for the planning and execution of catering operations for live entertainment and other events
• Oversee staffing strategies, scheduling, training, and team development
• Partner with culinary, sales, and events teams to ensure seamless event execution
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and support the resolution of complex or escalated client requests
• Monitor financial performance, budgets, labour, and operational costs to achieve business objectives
• Analyze operational results and implement strategies to improve efficiency, profitability, and guest satisfaction
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and company policies and procedures
• Lead post-event evaluations and drive continuous improvement based on feedback and operational results
• Support proposals, menu development, pricing, and event planning in partnership with sales and culinary teams
• Ensure consistent execution of service standards across all catering operations
• Comply with all Health and Safety Policies and procedures
• Adhere to uniform standards and job-specific standard operating procedures
• Other duties as assigned

The Qualifications

• Must have proven experience managing catering or hospitality operations in a live entertainment event environment
• Experience managing catering or hospitality operations in a sports arena, stadium or high-volume event environment is preferred
• Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts or Business Management
• Proven experience in catering management or hospitality
• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple events and teams simultaneously while meeting deadlines
• Knowledge of food safety standards and event planning
• Experience with high-volume or luxury catering environments
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Experience with catering/event planning software (e.g., Tripleseat, Caterease)
• Must be available to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends