Catering Lead

Panera LLC; Clifton (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Free on-shift meals

Flexible scheduling

Paid vacation and holidays

Medical, dental, vision, life and pet+

401(k) with match

Tuition discounts

Career advancement

Perks & rewards

Team member assistance program

Job summary

Panera is seeking a Catering Lead to manage catering orders, help guests plan and select familiar Panera dishes for events, and ensure timely and accurate food delivery.

You will respond to inquiries, uphold health and safety standards, and support managers and team members while promoting Panera’s warm, reliable service and craveable food.

Qualifications

• Minimum age: 18 years old.
• Food safety knowledge and training (Food Handler’s Card as required).
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Self-starter who can meet goals with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Must have own vehicle for delivering orders with a valid driving record.
• Flexible hours including nights and weekends in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to lift 25–50 pounds and stand/walk for up to 3 hours.
• Ability to clearly communicate in a loud environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Provide warm, friendly service and proactive follow-ups to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Assist with delivering orders to events.
• Adhere to health and food safety standards.
• Maintain Panera’s quality standards and promote catering offerings to local businesses, schools, and events.
• Support Managers and Team Members as needed.
• Help build Panera’s culture of warmth, belonging, growth and trust.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Time management

Self-motivated

Team player

Tools

POS system

Job description

Catering Lead

As a Catering Lead at Panera, you play a crucial role in our catering operations. You help guests plan and choose delicious, familiar and fantastic Panera dishes for their events, respond to their inquiries and requirements, and guarantee hassle‑free hosting with craveable food delivered promptly and accurately.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for our guests.
• Create memorable experiences with warm, friendly service, effective communication, and proactive follow‑ups to ensure every guest leaves satisfied.
• Assist with delivering orders to guests’ events.
• Strictly adhere to health and food safety standards.
• Maintain Panera’s exceptional standards for craveable food quality.
• Build excitement and interest in Panera’s products and services.
• Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events.
• Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed.
• Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Qualifications

• Minimum age: 18 years of age.
• Complete basic food safety understanding and practice training. (Food Handler’s Card, as required by law).
• Enjoy people and have effective communication skills.
• A self‑starter who can meet goals with limited supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Must have your own vehicle that you can use for delivering orders and an acceptable driving record.
• This role requires an individual that can safely operate a passenger motor vehicle and has an acceptable driving record.
• This role requires flexible hours, including nights and weekends in a fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects 25-50 pounds.
• Capability to stand and walk for up to 3 hours.
• Must be able to clearly communicate and quickly understand guests and associates’ directions in a loud environment.
• Be an ambassador of our Guiding Values and Behaviors by making people smile, learning and growing together, finding solutions and taking initiative, working (and winning) as a team, having fun and celebrating success, and seeing the best in others!

Benefits

• Competitive pay & eligible for team tips
• Free on‑shift meals & unlimited fountain beverages
• Flexible & reliable scheduling
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays for full‑time team members
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match available
• Career advancement & leadership development opportunities
• Tuition discounts
• Perks & rewards for team members
• Team member assistance program
• And much, much more!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Disabled/Veterans