Catering Director

Aramark; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 88,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Parental leave

Disability coverage

Job summary

Aramark’s LifeWorks Restaurant Group seeks a Catering Services Director to lead all catering operations and create exceptional event experiences. You will drive budget, revenue, and quality while building strong client partnerships in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

The role demands strategic thinking, hands-on leadership, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while inspiring teams to perform at their best. Strong business acumen and creative event planning are essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in catering or events.
• 1–3 years in a management role.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Available for event-based hours.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Food Handlers and Alcohol Service Certifications as required.
• Lift up to 50 lb as needed; stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver catering solutions to meet customer needs.
• Build and maintain strong client rapport.
• Plan and execute events with consistent quality.
• Manage Banquet Event Orders and ensure quality.
• Lead catering staff to meet standards and budgets.
• Achieve sales, food, and labor targets and control costs.
• Oversee staffing and execution of events of varying size.
• Ensure accurate revenue, expense, and receivables reporting.
• Recruit, train, and lead catering team; ensure safety policies.
• Ensure compliance with food and safety regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Event planning

Catering knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Food Handlers Certification

Alcohol Service Certification

Job description

TheCatering Services Director is a visionary leader responsible for delivering outstanding culinary and event experiences. This role oversees the full catering operation, leading teams that transform client needs into unforgettable events. By balancing creativity, operational excellence, and financial stewardship, the Catering Services Director ensures every catering order and special event is executed flawlessly while achieving budgetary and revenue goals. The ideal candidate is a dynamic hospitality professional with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and building strong client relationships. They are a strategic thinker and hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at managing multiple priorities, and inspires teams to perform at their best. With strong business acumen, attention to detail, and a creative approach to event planning, they can seamlessly execute events of all sizes while driving growth, innovation, and client satisfaction.

LifeWorks Restaurant Group crafts thoughtful, chef-led dining and hospitality experiences designed around the people and places we serve. From the first conversation, our teams work as true partners with our clients, shaping everything from the design of a space to the way the experience comes to life. We craft thoughtful, elevated experiences that leave people more inspired, more connected, and genuinely cared for. LifeWorks Restaurant Group is part of Aramark's Workplace Experience Group. Learn more at lifeworksrestaurantgroup.com . Imagination Well Served. #LifeWorksRestaurantGroup

Compensation Data

The salary range for this position is $88,000.00 to $100,000.00 . If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.

Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works.

There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including, but not limited to, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance to the extent that those laws apply to the opportunity.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and complete catering solutions to meet customers’ needs
• Develop and maintain effective client and customer rapport
• Deliver consistent quality in planning and carrying out events
• Facilitate the delivery of prepared food built from banquet event orders
• Assist clients in planning special events and providing creative solutions to clients’ needs
• Train and direct catering employees to ensure catering and events standards are followed ensuring quality in final presentation
• Provide completed Banquet Event Orders to team and handle quality assurance with all requests
• Responsible for delivering sales, food, and labor targets and maintaining department budgets
• Responsible for execution of catering events of varied size and scope including staffing and management
• Ensure accurate reporting of all catering related revenue, expenses, and receivables
• Recruit, train, schedule, and lead Catering team
• Ensure compliance with all food, occupational and environmental safety policies

At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.

Qualifications

• Requires at least 3 years of experience
• Requires at least 1-3 years of experience in a management role
• Previous experience in events and catering required
• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Available to work event-based hours
• Must have excellent communications skills
• Complete Food Handlers and Alcohol Service Certifications as required
• Requires occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lb.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing -a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work -our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .