Catering - Associate

SSA Group; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Meal plan & employee discounts

401(k) with 15% match

Bereavement leave

Holiday pay

Paid sick leave

On-demand pay

Job summary

SSA Group, LLC is seeking a Catering Associate at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, Michigan to deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client during events.

Responsibilities include setup, service, breakdown and cleanup; monitor product levels; resolve guest needs promptly; and support front and back of house with a professional appearance.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, General Manager and HQ personnel.
• Excelled problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Oversee quality, product levels and inventory of product.
• Fulfill guest’s needs quickly and efficiently and resolve complaints effectively.
• Meet expectations of proper setup, execution, breakdown, and cleanup of each catered event.
• Execute back of the house, front of the house and side work duties for overall productivity of banquet events as assigned.
• Express knowledge of menus, food presentation, and food service techniques with guest service in mind.
• Perform strenuous manual labor as required.
• Support placement, movement and storage of rental orders, buffet cards, and catering items.
• Support Supervisors and Manager with problems during events and provide solutions.
• Maintain a friendly and approachable attitude towards the client, guests, and staff.
• Communicate clearly and openly with leaders for overall success.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Problem solving

Flexibility

Equipment operation

Job description

Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Adults 18+

Weekdays and Weekend availability (zoo open 7 days/week)

Upcoming Fall & Winter Events with evening hour opportunity

Zoo Boo (Fri-Sun nights in October)

Wild Lights (Various nights from mid-November thru January 3, 2027)

Catering Associate

Who are we:

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.

We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.

Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Position Title: Catering Associate

Reports to: Catering Supervisor(s) and Catering Operations Manager

Responsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.

Oversee quality, product levels and inventory of product.

Fulfill guest’s needs quickly and efficiently as well as resolve complaints effectively.

Meet expectations of proper setup, execution, breakdown, and cleanup of each catered event.

Execute back of the house, front of the house and side work duties for overall productivity of banquet events as assigned.

Ability to express knowledge of menus, food presentation, and food service techniques with guest service in mind.

Perform strenuous manual labor as required (equipment storage, event setup, tear down of tables and chairs).

Support placement, movement and storage of rental orders, buffet cards, and catering items.

Support Catering Supervisor(s) and Catering Operations Manager with problems during events and provide creative solutions.

Maintain a friendly and approachable attitude towards the client, guests, and staff.

Communicate clearly and openly with leaders for overall success.

Display a sense of urgency at all times.

Uphold a professional appearance and mannerism.

Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.

Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.

Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Job Requirements

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, General Manager and HQ personnel.

Excelled problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.

Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.

Operate all equipment necessary to perform job duties.

Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above; accommodation upon request, please communicate directly with hiring manager.

Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging

Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units

Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels

Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary

Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back

Previous Experience

Catering and/or event industry experience a plus.

All educational backgrounds are eligible.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. The General Manager reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Compensation and Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave
• Holiday pay of1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" documentfor more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America