Catering Lead

Panera LLC; Westchester (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay ($16.00 - $19.25) plus eligible for team tips

Free on-shift meals and unlimited fountain beverages

Flexible & reliable scheduling

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance

401(k) with match

Career advancement opportunities

Tuition discounts

Job summary

Panera LLC is seeking a Catering Lead in Westchester, Illinois. In this role, you will manage catering orders and ensure the highest food quality while providing warm and friendly service.

You must have excellent organizational skills and the ability to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends. The position offers competitive pay, free meals, and various benefits such as medical insurance and tuition discounts.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18.
• Enjoy working with people and possess effective communication skills.
• Self-starter who can meet goals with limited supervision.

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Create memorable experiences with warm, friendly service.
• Strictly adhere to health and food safety standards.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Excellent organizational skills

Time-management skills

Job description

Catering Lead – Panera

As a Catering Lead you will play a crucial role in our catering operations, helping guests plan events, ensuring timely delivery, and maintaining the highest standards of food quality and safety.

Benefits

• Competitive pay ($16.00 - $19.25) plus eligible for team tips
• Free on‑shift meals and 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, team member assistance program, and other rewards

Responsibilities

• Manage and produce catering orders for guests.
• Create memorable experiences with warm, friendly service and proactive follow‑ups to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Assist with delivering orders to guests’ events.
• Strictly adhere to health and food safety standards.
• Maintain Panera’s standards for food quality.
• Build excitement and interest in Panera’s products and services.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18.
• Complete basic food safety training (Food Handler’s Card, as required).
• Enjoy working with people and possess effective communication skills.
• Self‑starter who can meet goals with limited supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Own a reliable vehicle and maintain an acceptable driving record; must be able to deliver orders.
• Flexible hours, including nights and weekends, in a fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull 25-50 pounds and stand/walk up to 3 hours.
• Clear communication in a loud environment.

Be an ambassador of our 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.

__ Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans