Catering Lead

Panera LLC; Springfield (NJ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Flexible scheduling

Paid vacation and holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Pet insurance

401(k) with match

Career advancement

Job summary

Panera LLC is seeking a Catering Lead in New Jersey to manage catering orders and coordinate delivery for events. You will engage guests with warm, friendly service, answer inquiries, and help plan menus to ensure a smooth hosting experience.

Responsibilities include preparing orders, delivering to events, maintaining health and food safety standards, and promoting Panera catering to local businesses and schools. A team-oriented, proactive approach is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18 years.
• Food handler’s card or training as required by law.
• Enjoy working with people and have effective communication skills.
• Self-starter who can meet goals with limited supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Must have own vehicle for delivering orders and acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Provide warm, friendly service with proactive follow-ups to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Assist with delivering orders to guests’ events.
• Adhere to health and food safety standards and Panera quality.
• Promote Panera catering to local businesses, schools and events.
• Support Managers and Team Members as needed.

Skills

Effective communication

Self-starter

Strong organizational skills

Time management

Reliable vehicle for delivery

Job description

Overview

As a Catering Lead at Panera, you play a crucial role in catering operations, helping guests plan and choose Panera dishes for events, responding to inquiries, and ensuring hassle‑free hosting with prompt delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Create memorable experiences with warm, friendly service, effective communication, and proactive follow‑ups to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Assist with delivering orders to guests’ events.
• Strictly adhere to health and food safety standards and maintain Panera’s food quality.
• Build excitement and interest in Panera’s products and services, marketing catering to local businesses, schools and events.
• Assist and support Managers and Team Members as needed.
• Help build a culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum age: 18 years.
• Complete basic food safety understanding and practice training (Food Handler’s Card, as required by law).
• Enjoy working with people and have effective communication skills.
• Self‑starter who can meet goals with limited supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Must have your own vehicle for delivering orders and an acceptable driving record.
• 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; stand and walk up to 3 hours.
• Must be able to clearly communicate and quickly understand directions in a loud environment.
• Be an ambassador of Panera’s Guiding Values and Behaviors: making people smile, learning and growing together, finding solutions, taking initiative, working as a team, having fun, celebrating success, and seeing the best in others.

Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive pay $17.00 – $20.25 per hour, plus eligible team tips.
• Free on‑shift meals and unlimited fountain beverages.
• Flexible and reliable scheduling.
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays for full‑time members.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match.
• Career advancement & leadership development opportunities.
• Tuition discounts, perks, rewards, and team member assistance program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Disabled/Veterans – Panera is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Compensation is determined by factors including experience, job‑related knowledge, skills, and location.