Catering Lead

Panera Bread; Wake Forest (NC); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay & eligible for team

Free on-shift meals & unlimited drinks

Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Medical, dental, vision, life and pet

401(k) with match

Team member assistance program

And much more!

Job summary

Panera Bread in Wake Forest, NC is seeking a Catering Lead to drive catering orders, deliver memorable events, and uphold health and safety standards. You will engage with guests, coordinate orders, and work to ensure flawless, on-time service.

The role emphasizes creating craveable Panera experiences for events, marketing catering locally, and supporting the team to foster warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. Flexible hours including nights and weekends are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 18 and Food Handler’s Card (where required by law).
• Enjoy working with people and have strong communication skills.
• Self-starter with ability to meet goals with limited supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Must have a vehicle for delivering orders and a clean driving record.
• Flexible hours, including nights and weekends in a fast-paced setting.
• Ability to lift 25–50 pounds and stand/walk for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests and events.
• Provide warm, friendly service and proactive follow-ups to ensure satisfaction.
• Assist with delivering orders to guests’ events.
• Adhere to health and food safety standards at all times.
• Maintain Panera’s product quality and craveable standards.
• Market Panera Catering to local businesses, schools and events.
• Support Managers and Team Members as needed and help build a positive culture.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Food safety

Delivery driving

Team leadership

Job description

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
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays for full-time team members
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match available
• 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