Catering Manager

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan's Michigan Dining department seeks an experienced operations leader to oversee banquet and catering services at the Michigan Union. You will provide hands-on leadership for food and beverage service, ensuring events meet standards for quality, safety, and guest satisfaction.

You will collaborate with culinary and event teams and build strong client relationships. You will report to the Director of Catering and work onsite in Ann Arbor, MI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food related field or restaurant management or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Two or more years of supervisory experience in a food related field
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and equipment used in the preparation and distribution of food

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily banquet and catering operations including menus and pricing of beverages
• Complete a weekly catering schedule ensuring adequate staff coverage and monitor labor costs
• Communicate with partners to respond to guest needs and coordinate event logistics
• Work with chefs and partners on product development and on-trend menu items
• Manage hiring, training, performance reviews, promotions and disciplinary actions
• Ensure Due Diligence of alcohol services per liquor license and university policies
• Participate in unit leadership, promote sustainability, and manage event operations and billing using CBORD EMS

Skills

Staff leadership

Food safety knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in food related field or restaurant management

Job description

Job Summary

Build your career with Michigan Dining, where banquet and catering leadership comes with competitive pay and benefits, work/life balance, more predictable hours, and opportunities to grow. Lead memorable food and beverage experiences while working with culinary and event professionals at one of the country's leading universities.

Department Summary

Michigan Dining comprises eighteen on-campus cafes and markets, ten residential dining halls, a line of Blue to Go foods, the Campus Bakeshop, and the Michigan Catering unit. Our 700 professional and 1,600 student employees are committed to creative, healthy, and nutritious foods, international cuisines, and sustainability throughout all dining operations.

Job Summary

You will oversee the daily operations of banquet and catering services for events at the Michigan Union. You will provide hands‑on leadership for food and beverage service, ensuring the team staffs, sets, serves, and executes events according to established banquet, food quality, safety, and service standards. You will coordinate with culinary, catering, and event teams; provide direction to staff during events; and respond to operational or guest needs in real time. You will also build strong relationships with clients and ensure each event delivers a high‑quality food and service experience.

You will report to the Director of Catering.

You will work onsite in Ann Arbor, MI. Hours are flexible and vary based on business needs and will include nights/weekends, as needed.

Responsibilities*

• Manage catering and banquet operations including preparing menus, costing out beverage menus, pricing of alcoholic beverages, coordination of staff and equipment.
• Complete a weekly catering schedule ensuring adequate staff coverage to meet special event needs and monitoring labor costs.
• Communicate with all the partners to respond to guest needs including building managers, custodial staff and support staff.
• Work with chefs, and partners with chefs on product development, striving for unique and on‑trend items.
• Oversee personnel matters including hiring, training, performance reviews, promotions and disciplinary action up to and including termination.
• Ensure Due Diligence of alcohol services in accordance with our liquor license, university policies and state laws.
• Serve as a member of the unit leadership team, collaborate on program enhancements and promote University of Michigan Sustainability.
• Ensure use of CBORD Eventmaster and EMS to manage event operations and finalize billing. Complete regular audits to ensure billing accuracy with sales and events.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in food related field or restaurant management or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Two or more year's supervisory experience in a food related field
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and equipment used in the preparation and distribution of food

Why Work at Michigan?

Benefits at the University of Michigan

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting.This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.