Catering & Event Operations Manager

SSA Consulting Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly cell phone stipend

Flex Time Off

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insured

Job summary

The SSA Group at Houston Zoo is seeking a Catering & Event Operations Manager to lead catering logistics planning, execution, and quality control for events, collaborating with Sales, Culinary, and other teams to deliver seamless guest experiences. You will manage event orders, timelines, staffing, equipment, and on-site operations while upholding safety and brand standards.

Ideal candidates possess at least 4 years in catering operations or event management in off-site or cultural venues,

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across all levels of an organization.
• Advanced leadership skills with team-building and development.
• Strong problem solving and decision making with good organizational habits.
• Demonstrates financial management, analytical, and planning skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute catering event plans, orders, timelines, staffing schedules, and layouts.
• Coordinate with Sales, Culinary, and other teams to capture and execute requirements.
• Oversee setup, execution, and breakdown of events to ensure smooth operation.
• Maintain equipment, supplies, and inventory for events.
• Lead weekly BEO meetings and communicate plans to stakeholders.
• Collaborate on floor plans, cross-utilized products, and innovative displays.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Financial management

Organizational skills

Flexibility

Office basics

Outdoor environment

Tools

Tripleseat

Job description

SSA Group at Houston Zoo is looking for a talented Catering & Event Operations Manager to join our team!

Who are we

At SSA, we're Unapologetically Family it's who we are and how we show up for each other, for our 90+ cultural attraction partners, and for the more than 100 million guests we welcome each year. We laugh, we celebrate our wins, and we learn from our mistakes together.

That family mindset shapes 452 Hospitality, the heartbeat of everything we do: creating special moments of hospitality that have a lasting impact, before, during, and after every guest visit. We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail to shape one seamless guest experience across the full Hospitality Experience Journey.

Whether you're looking for your first job, building your career, or bringing years of experience to a new role, you'll be part of a team that values your ideas, supports your growth, and encourages you to make an impact. More than 54% of our leaders are promoted from within proof that when we say we invest in people, we mean it.

Job Title

Catering & Event Operations Manager

Department

Catering & Events

Location

Houston Zoo, Onsite

Reports to

General Manager, Assistant General Manager, (Sr.) Director of Catering Operations, or Sr. Manager of Catering Operations

Revenue Oversight

$650,000+

Job Summary

The Catering & Event Operations Manager is responsible for supporting the Event/Catering Sales and Culinary teams by leading the catering logistics planning, coordination, execution, and quality control of events. This role involves advanced knowledge of client relationships, event logistics, and delivering customer satisfaction. This position is ultimately responsible for the delivery of seamless and memorable events.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across all levels of an organization.
• Advanced leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates financial management, analytical, and planning skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• 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.
• (Outdoor Venues Only): Must be comfortable working in an outdoor environment, including exposure to the elements.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Previous Experience

• Minimum 4 years catering operations and/or event planning management in off-site catering, hotel or cultural attraction catering venue preferred.
  • A minimum of 4 years of experience is required for this position; however, candidates with 6 or more years of experience will be given stronger consideration.
• Working knowledge of Tripleseat is a plus.
• All education backgrounds eligible, must be 18 or older.

Key Responsibilities

Event Planning & Execution

• Develop and implement detailed plans for catering events, including event orders, pull sheets, execution timelines, staffing schedules, visual appeal and logistics layouts.
• Coordinate with sales representatives to understand event requirements and ensure all details are accurately captured and executed.
• Oversee the setup, execution, and breakdown of events, ensuring all aspects run smoothly and efficiently.
• Ensure all equipment, supplies, and materials are available and in good working condition for events.
• Walk event spaces with Sales Team before events to ensure everything is in working order and address any issues promptly.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with the Sales Team, Culinary Team, and other departments involved in events, developing and implementing new strategies and procedures where necessary to ensure events are executed flawlessly. Including, but not limited to:
  • Attend weekly BEO meetings to review all upcoming events, addressing concerns and needs to each event.
  • Distribute Operations Plan revisions to key stakeholders when necessary.
  • Advise Sales Team on any outstanding balances due post event.
  • Collaborate with Sales Team on floor plans and event flow.
  • Coordinate the need of cross-utilized products/equipment.
  • Create eye-catching and innovative F&B displays in collaboration with the Culinary Team.
  • Oversee quality, product levels, and inventory of Catering products.
  • Facilitate the maintenance and repairs of Catering equipment as necessary.

Client Relationship Management

• Maintain strong, positive relationships with internal and external clients to ensure repeat business and client satisfaction.
• Conduct pre-event meetings with internal stakeholders to finalize details and post-event follow-ups to gather feedback and foster continued development.
• Work closely with clients to provide tailored solutions and address any concerns promptly.
• Act as client day-of contact for catering services.

Vendor and Resource Management

• Maintain communication with vendors to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
• Negotiate pricing and contracts with vendors to optimize costs and quality.
• Uphold an active list of resources for client and internal operational use.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Financial Management

• Develop, meet, and exceed monthly and annual catering operations budgets and plans.
• Analyze operational costs and inventory to maximize opportunities and minimize waste.
• Review all invoices, bills, and accounting-related documents for accuracy and communicate necessary changes to Accounts Payable.
• Minimize controllable costs, including payroll and equipment rental, associated with the operation and strategize on revenue avenues.

Reporting and Analysis

• Report weekly and monthly operational performance to appropriate stakeholders.
• Analyze event performance data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Responsible for budgeting, forecasting and cost control (e.g., labor costs, food costs and profitability).

Social Responsibility

• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the unit.
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application.
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus on opportunities of giving back.

Team Management Where Applicable

• Hire, recruit, and integrate new team members.
• Schedule appropriate staff levels in accordance with business level and budget.
• Approve weekly timesheets.
• Supervise assigned personnel, evaluate performance, and provide coaching and development.
• Develop and implement training programs to motivate and mentor employees.
• Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.

Offsite Sales Support

• In certain locations, sales efforts are supported by offsite sales teams. In these locations the position will also be responsible for:
  • Partnering with location or area ales team on site visits and communicating client needs to Area Sales team post meeting.
  • Conduct tastings for potential clients.
  • Participating in client hand-off meetings to ensure proper event execution.
  • Leading weekly BEO meetings.
  • Managing approval and distribution of information on all internal events, including collecting funds for all services rendered.
  • Communicating day of add-ons to Area Sales Team for proper recording and collection.
  • Works with District Manager of Sales to support onsite coordinators with sales responsibilities, where applicable.
  • Manages and maintains partner relationship, including leading gala and fundraising responsibilities.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group 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)

Don't meet every requirement?

At SSA we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Compensation And Benefits

• Full-Time, Exempt.
• $75 monthly cell phone stipend.
• Flex Time Off: no accruals; employees are encouraged to schedule time off as needed within business scope.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and