Catering Lead

panerabread; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Free meals

Flexible scheduling

Paid time off

Health benefits

Career development

Tuition discounts

Perks & rewards

Assistance program

Team tips

Job summary

Panera Bread is hiring a Catering Lead to manage catering orders, help guests plan events, and ensure timely, high-quality service. You will assist with delivering orders and uphold Panera's food safety and quality standards in a fast-paced environment.

The role emphasizes delivering craveable Panera experiences, building relationships with local businesses and schools, and contributing to a warm, growth-focused team culture.

Qualifications

• 18+ years old
• Basic food safety training (Food Handler's Card) as required by law
• Excellent communication and people skills
• Self-starter with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities
• Must have own vehicle for delivering orders and a valid driving record
• Ability to lift/push 25–50 pounds and stand/walk for up to 3 hours
• Able to communicate clearly in a loud environment

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Deliver orders to events when required and ensure timely arrival.
• Provide warm, friendly service and proactive follow-ups to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Adhere to health and food safety standards consistently.
• Promote Panera Catering to local businesses, schools, and events.
• Support managers and team members to build a positive team culture.

Job description

Catering Lead

At Panera, our people come first. If you're looking for a place where you can grow, feel supported, be yourself, enjoy great perks, and have a little fun along the way—you're in the right spot. We're here to help you succeed every day, in every way.

Get ready to rise and come join the fun where you will be a part of making the familiar fantastic! Because at Panera, the best thing of bread is sharing it!

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.

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 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!

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans

Competitive pay: $16.00-$19.25

600969 Elk Grove Village, IL - Biesterfield Road