Catering Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay + tips

Free meals & drinks during shift

Flexible scheduling

Paid time off for FT team members

Health, dental, vision, life & pet ins

Job summary

Panera Bread is seeking a Catering Lead in Kearny, NJ. You will help guests plan and choose Panera dishes for events, respond to inquiries, and ensure hassle-free hosting with craveable food delivered promptly and accurately.

You will manage catering orders, coordinate delivery and setup, maintain health and safety standards, and promote Panera Catering to local businesses and schools while supporting the team and leadership.

Qualifications

• Must have basic food safety understanding and training (Food Handler's Card as required by law).
• Must have own vehicle for delivering orders and a valid driving record.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Deliver orders to events and ensure on-time arrival.
• Provide warm, friendly service and proactive follow-ups.
• Maintain health and food safety standards.
• Uphold Panera's food quality and guest experience.
• Promote Panera Catering to local businesses, schools, and events.
• Support Managers and Team Members as needed.
• Foster a culture of warmth, belonging, growth and trust.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Self-motivation

Time management

Physical work

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.

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.

606260 Kearny, NJ - Passaic Avenue