Catering Manager

Quest Food Management Services; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Quest Food Management Services in St. Louis seeks a Catering Manager to lead day‑to‑day catering operations, from client conversations through event execution and billing, guiding the team to deliver exceptional service.

You will coordinate orders, prepare BEOs, manage logistics, staff, and vendor relations, ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, and drive profitability while upholding Quest standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum 3 years in catering management or similar hospitality role
• Experience with food & beverage operations, including menu planning and service management
• Knowledge of health & safety requirements for food service
• Experience budgeting, cost control, and revenue analysis
• Strong organizational and event coordination skills
• Ability to lead and coordinate teams in fast-paced environments
• Strong client service and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients to understand catering needs, event requirements, and preferences
• Manage catering orders and maintain clear client communication throughout planning and execution
• Prepare and complete BEOs, quotes, and other event documents
• Coordinate all aspects of catering events to meet client specs and Quest standards
• Handle client communications, contracts, and event details while delivering exceptional service
• Coordinate billing and ensure client credit card information is on file
• Plan, coordinate, and execute catering events from planning to completion
• Coordinate event logistics and staffing for each event
• Ensure timely delivery and pick-up of catering orders
• Collaborate with suppliers to procure food, beverages, supplies, and equipment
• Oversee food service operations during events for consistency and quality
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation requirements
• Lead the catering department and provide direction to hourly leads and staff
• Schedule and deploy staff based on event requirements and business needs
• Work with culinary and hospitality teams to ensure seamless execution
• Maintain high service standards during event preparation and execution
• Collaborate on menu development and budgeting with chefs
• Monitor financial performance and identify efficiency opportunities

Skills

Leadership

Client service

Communication

Organizational skills

Event coordination

Budgeting / Cost control

Food & beverage operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Event management software

Catering technology

Job description

About Quest Food Management Services

For more than 40 years, Quest Food Management Services has provided food service to K–12 schools, higher education institutions, corporate dining programs, and event venues.

Our approach centers on fresh, scratch‑made food, local sourcing, exceptional hospitality, and personal service. At the heart of our organization is our Quest Ready culture, built on integrity, responsiveness, accountability, respect, and excellence.

Being Quest Ready means serving with purpose and care and creating experiences that are nourishing, welcoming, and reliable. Our teams build lasting relationships while continually raising the standard for hospitality in the communities we serve.

About The Role

The Catering Manager leads the day‑to‑day operation and execution of catering services, from the initial client conversation through the successful completion and billing of each event. This is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for coordinating catering orders, preparing event documentation, managing event logistics and staffing, communicating with clients, and ensuring each event is delivered according to expectations and Quest standards. The Catering Manager works closely with culinary teams, clients, vendors, and catering staff to ensure events are well planned, appropriately staffed, financially managed, and executed with exceptional service.

What You'll Do

Client & Event Management

• Meet with clients to understand their catering needs, event requirements, and preferences.
• Manage catering orders and maintain clear communication with clients throughout the planning and execution process.
• Prepare and complete Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), quotes, and other required event documentation.
• Coordinate all aspects of catering events to ensure client specifications and Quest quality standards are met.
• Handle client communications, contracts, and event‑related details while providing exceptional customer service and building strong client relationships.
• Ensure client credit card information is on file and coordinate billing on the day of or day following each event.

Catering Operations

• Plan, coordinate, and execute catering events from initial planning through completion.
• Coordinate event logistics and staffing to ensure each catering event is appropriately supported.
• Ensure catering orders are delivered and picked up in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with suppliers and vendors to ensure the timely procurement of necessary food, beverages, supplies, and equipment.
• Oversee food service operations during events to maintain consistency, presentation, and quality.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, food handling, and sanitation requirements.

Team Leadership

• Lead the catering department and provide direction to hourly leads and catering staff.
• Coordinate chefs, servers, and support personnel to provide efficient and professional event service.
• Schedule and deploy staff based on event requirements and business needs.
• Work closely with culinary and hospitality teams to ensure seamless event execution.
• Maintain high service standards and provide leadership during event preparation and execution.

Menu & Financial Management

• Collaborate with executive and head chefs on menu development and updates, incorporating seasonal ingredients and client preferences as appropriate.
• Manage catering budgets, costs, and revenue to support profitable operations while maintaining service standards.
• Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in catering management or a similar hospitality role
• Experience with food and beverage operations, including menu planning and food service management
• Knowledge of applicable food service health and safety requirements
• Experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and analyzing revenue
• Strong organizational and event coordination skills
• Ability to effectively lead and coordinate teams in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong client service and communication skills

Preferred

• Food Safety or ServSafe certification
• Experience partnering directly with executive or head chefs in a high‑volume catering environment
• Familiarity with event management software and catering technology
• Advanced hospitality management and customer relationship management experience

Skills for Success

Successful Catering Managers at Quest combine strong hospitality instincts with excellent organization and attention to detail. This role requires the ability to manage multiple events and priorities, communicate confidently with clients, lead teams effectively, and anticipate operational needs. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between client conversations, event planning, staff coordination, financial management, and hands‑on event execution while maintaining a consistently high standard of service.

#questfood

Open Availabilities: Flexible: nights, weekends, early mornings