Catering Lead

panerabread; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Free meals during shifts

Flexible scheduling

Paid time off for full-time

Job summary

Panera Bread is seeking a Catering Lead to join our Fort Smith, AR catering team. You will manage catering orders, coordinate delivery, and ensure guest satisfaction with friendly service and timely follow-ups.

This role emphasizes food safety and maintaining Panera's high standards. Responsibilities include coordinating orders, working with local businesses and schools, and supporting managers and team members to deliver memorable catering experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18+.
• Food safety training (Food Handler's Card) as required by law.
• Own vehicle with acceptable driving record for delivering orders.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull 25–50 pounds.
• Flexible hours including nights and weekends in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Deliver orders to events as needed.
• Provide warm, friendly service with proactive follow-ups to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Strictly adhere to health and food safety standards.
• Maintain Panera's standards for craveable food quality.
• Market Panera Catering to local businesses, schools and events.
• Support Managers and Team Members as needed.
• Help build a culture of warmth, belonging, growth and trust.

Skills

People skills

Communication

Time management

Self-motivation

Reliable transportation

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.

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 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

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.

606201 Fort Smith, AR - South 74th Street