Remote Catering Operations Strategist

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote role

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting for a Remote Catering Operations Strategist to redefine how catering is delivered for virtual events worldwide. You will design scalable operational strategies for sourcing, preparation, packaging, and delivery of food and beverage for dispersed audiences from a home office.

The role requires 6+ years in catering operations or related supply‑chain roles, with strong vendor management, data analysis, and remote collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in catering operations management or related supply chain roles.
• Experience designing operational strategies across distributed regions.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations for delivery services.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing third-party vendors and performance metrics.
• Excellent communication in virtual environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement scalable operational strategies for remote catering services.
• Design onboarding, QA, and performance management frameworks for partners.
• Identify and vet local culinary partners across regions to maintain standards.
• Create efficient logistics models for timely, safe delivery of catering packages.
• Establish protocols for food safety, handling, and temperature control in remote delivery.
• Analyze data on delivery times, feedback, and costs to drive improvements.
• Collaborate with tech teams to integrate catering operations with virtual event platforms.
• Develop contingency plans for disruptions and challenges.
• Research and propose sustainable, ethical sourcing solutions.
• Manage relationships with key third‑party logistics providers and technology partners.

Skills

Operational strategy

Supply chain

Vendor management

Data analysis

Remote collaboration

Project management

Education

Hospitality Management degree

Business Administration degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in the virtual events industry, is seeking a forward-thinking Remote Catering Operations Strategist to redefine how catering is delivered to a dispersed audience. This is a completely remote position that challenges traditional catering models. You will be tasked with designing innovative operational strategies for the seamless sourcing, preparation, packaging, and delivery of food and beverage packages for virtual events worldwide. The ideal candidate possesses a unique blend of operational expertise, supply chain innovation, and strategic foresight. You will collaborate with a distributed network of partners to ensure consistent quality, adherence to safety standards, and exceptional attendee experiences, all managed from your home office. This is a groundbreaking opportunity to shape the future of event catering in a digital-first world.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement scalable operational strategies for remote catering services.
• Design best-practice frameworks for partner onboarding, quality assurance, and performance management of food providers.
• Identify and vet local culinary partners in various geographical regions to ensure high standards.
• Create efficient logistics models for timely and safe delivery of catering packages.
• Establish protocols for food safety, handling, and temperature control in remote delivery environments.
• Analyze data on delivery times, client feedback, and operational costs to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with technology teams to integrate catering operations with virtual event platforms.
• Develop contingency plans for operational disruptions and challenges.
• Research and propose innovative solutions for sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.
• Manage relationships with key third‑party logistics providers and technology partners.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in catering operations management, supply chain strategy, or food service logistics, with a strong emphasis on distributed operations.
• Proven ability to design and implement complex operational strategies in diverse geographical locations.
• Deep understanding of food safety regulations and best practices for delivery services.
• Excellent analytical, strategic planning, and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in managing third‑party vendors and performance metrics.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable collaborating in a virtual environment.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines effectively.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting to inform strategic decisions.
• A degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is highly desirable.
• Must be fully remote, with a reliable internet connection and a suitable home office setup.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary and the significant advantage of a fully remote work arrangement. Our client is committed to employee development, providing access to virtual training, workshops, and opportunities to attend industry conferences. Employees receive comprehensive health benefits and generous paid time off. You will be an integral part of a pioneering team, driving innovation in the rapidly evolving world of virtual events and remote catering.