Catering Lead

panerabread; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team tips

Free meals

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Insurance

401(k) with match

Career growth

Tuition discounts

Assistance program

Job summary

Panera Bread in Union, NJ is seeking a Catering Lead to manage catering orders, deliver memorable service, and ensure on-time, accurate event fulfillment. You will coordinate orders, assist guests, and uphold food-safety standards while promoting Panera catering to local businesses and schools.

The role supports a fast-paced environment with flexible hours, including nights and weekends, and offers advancement opportunities within Panera Bread.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18+ and food safety training preferred.
• Strong communication and guest-service orientation.
• Reliable, self-directed with ability to work independently.
• Able to lift 25–50 pounds and stand for periods.
• Valid driver's license and own vehicle for deliveries if required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Provide warm, friendly service and proactive follow-ups.
• Assist with delivering orders to events.
• Adhere to health and food-safety standards.
• Maintain Panera quality and product appeal.
• Market Panera Catering to local businesses and events.
• Assist and support Managers and Team Members.
• Contribute to a culture of warmth, belonging, and growth.

Skills

Effective communication

Self-starter

Organizational skills

Time-management

Driver's license

Physical ability

Customer service

Job description

What's In It for You?

• 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!

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.

As a Catering Lead at Panera, Your Role Includes:

• 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.

This Opportunity Is for You If:

• 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 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!

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans

Competitive pay: $17.00 - $20.25

The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

606103 Union, NJ - Morris Avenue