Catering Lead

Panera LLC; West Covina (CA); On-site; USD 28,930,000 - 33,407,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team tips

Free meals

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Insurance & 401(k)

Career growth

Tuition discounts

Perks & rewards

Assistance program

Job summary

Panera LLC in West Covina, CA is seeking a Catering Lead to plan and manage catering orders, ensuring hot, fresh, and accurate delivery for events. You’ll interact with guests, answer inquiries, and guarantee hassle-free hosting with craving-worthy Panera dishes.

This role emphasizes friendly service, proactive communication, and timely delivery, while upholding Panera’s food safety standards and product quality.

Qualifications

• Must have strong communication and people skills.
• Self-motivated with ability to work with limited supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Must own a vehicle and have a valid driving record.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Create memorable experiences with warm, friendly service and proactive follow-ups.
• Assist with delivering orders to events.
• Adhere strictly to health and food safety standards.
• Maintain Panera’s standards for food quality.

Skills

Communication skills

Self-starter

Time management

Driving

Education

Food Handler’s Card

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

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 craving‑able 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 craving‑able 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

• 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: $21 – $24.25. 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.

601038 West Covina, CA – West Covina Parkway