Full Time - Campus Catering Operations Manager

San Diego State University; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Life/AD&D insurance

Defined benefit pension

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

Aztec Shops on the SDSU campus is seeking a Full Time Campus Catering Operations Manager to oversee daily catering operations, ensure events are prepared, and coordinate equipment, inventory, and staffing for campus events.

The role requires coordinating with the Senior Event Manager, General Manager, culinary and sales teams, vendors, and campus partners to deliver consistently high-quality services while maintaining safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus 2+ years in high-volume catering with supervisory experience.
• Strong communications, customer service, and computer literacy required.
• ServSafe or Food Handlers Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop catering staff, assign work priorities, and evaluate performance.
• Coordinate event readiness, equipment, inventory, and fleet requirements.
• Plan schedules based on staff availability and update daily event trackers.
• Ensure adherence to safety, sanitation, and company policies.
• Maintain strong collaboration with campus partners, vendors, and sales teams.

Skills

Strong communications

Customer service

Computer literacy

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma

Two years supervisory experience in catering

ServSafe Certification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Full Time - Campus Catering Operations Manager

Date Posted: 10/1/2026 Job Code: SHOPSECB/40460/Catering Operations Manager Department: Campus Catering Address: 5500 Campanile Drive City: San Diego State: CA Category: Campus Catering Salary Range: $21.02-$34.50

Description

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Pay Rate: $31.00–$34.00 per hour

This represents the good faith estimate of the hourly wage range we reasonably expect to pay for this position upon hire, depending on factors such as the selected candidate's experience, training, education, job‑related skills, internal equity, and operational needs.

In select cases, and depending on market conditions or exceptional candidate qualifications, compensation may exceed this range, provided it aligns with applicable law and our compensation policies.

Aztec Shops offers eligible full‑time hourly employees a competitive benefits package that includes 80% employer‑paid medical coverage for the employee and their qualified dependents, 90% employer‑paid dental coverage for the employee and their qualified dependents, employer‑paid life/AD&D insurance, an employer‑funded defined benefit pension plan, vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, paid holidays, up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement, voluntary 403(b) matching and 457 retirement savings plans non matching, flexible spending accounts, employer EAP including financial wellness resources, and additional employee benefits.

Additional information about our compensation scales is available at: www.aztecshops.com/employment

SUMMARY

Supports the daily execution of campus catering operations, with primary responsibility for event readiness, equipment logistics, inventory control, staffing coordination, vehicle/fleet readiness, and operational communication. This position supervises catering operations, ensures events are properly pulled, packed, staged, and supported, and works closely with the Senior Event Manager, General Manager, Event Managers, culinary team, sales team, vendors, and campus partners to deliver consistent, high‑quality catering service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DEPENDING ON LOCATION

• Manages and develops catering staff, which includes disciplining of employees, setting work priorities, coordinating training, evaluating performance and directing work assignments to ensure effective operations.
• Works with Senior Manager to research, formulate and recommend new or upgraded policies and procedures.
• Plans and prepares work schedules based on employee availability.
• Keeps the daily tracker up to date of all events, assignments and staffing.
• Ensure that the operations event book is up to date with current event orders.
• Reviews load lists to make sure that the proper equipment is on hand and in working condition as well as having all necessary supplies available.
• Ensures proper inventory levels of linens, disposables are maintained.
• Orders appropriate amounts, sizes, flavors and brands of all bottled beverages including water, juices, sodas and alcohol.
• Make sure equipment inventory is available and clean for the events taking place.
• Supervise the polishing and prepping of equipment and supplies for catering events.
• Communicate effectively with the management team and staff with regards to specific needs, requirements or issues relating to events.
• Assigns employees to specific duties and tasks to provide needed support for events.
• Responsible for ensuring that events are ready to go for event staff upon arrival to include having all needed supplies requisitioned and available.
• Manages daily operations to ensure that proper procedures and guidelines are in place and followed for provision of quality products and services.
• Maintains catering fleet making sure that vehicles are cleaned, available, fueled and serviced regularly.
• Resolves internal customer issues and complaints to ensure customer satisfaction and reports any incidents to the Senior Manager in a timely manner.
• Ensures/maintains security/internal controls and sanitation.
• Recommends capital budget items.
• Supervises and trains employees in event pulls/break downs, taking of inventories and keeping operating records.
• Ensures laundry equipment is properly maintained, trains staff on proper utilization, and occasionally, will operate laundry machines to clean catering linen and uniform items.
• Acts as a backup on the occasion for the Sr. Event Manager and Event Manager.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with customers, coworkers, vendors, student organizations, faculty, staff, and university personnel.
• Must comply with and ensure continued, consistent compliance with all company policies, and federal, state, and local laws/regulations including but not limited to: employment, safety, and health.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

The minimum requirement for applicants is a High School Diploma; plus at least two years or more of experience in high volume catering including high-end catering experience and at least two years of supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Off-premise catering experience is a plus.

Strong communications, customer service and computer literacy are required.

ServSafe Certification and/or Food Handlers Certification from the County of San Diego preferred.

This position may involve operating a company vehicle and/or golf cart on university or company property. As such, candidates must have a valid driver's license and have not been issued more than three moving violations or have been responsible for more than three accidents (or any combination of more than three thereof during the past 12-month period). Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and will be required to provide proof of driving eligibility upon hire.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be able to read, write and understand English. Requires the ability to follow verbal and written instructions, guidelines and objectives. Requires the ability to read, comprehend, analyze, and interpret general business information, governmental regulations, and technical/trade journals. Requires the ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Requires the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, subordinates, vendors, other departments, customers and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Requires the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, portions, percentages, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic math. Requires the ability to prepare and analyze numerical figures, create and interpret spreadsheets.

REASONING ABILITY

Requires the ability to apply common‑sense understanding to carry out general written or oral instructions. Must be able to multitask, prioritize work and pay attention to detail. Requires good analytical, quantitative skills, organizational and management skills.

MANUAL DEXTERITY

Must be able to utilize a computer. Requires the ability to use a variety of office machines and food service equipment.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION

Must have the ability to talk/expressing and/or exchanging ideas and hear/perceiving sounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Basic understanding of company vehicles and unit specific equipment operations. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand for prolonged hours; handle objects, cooking tools and controls. The employee must be able to (frequently) move, lift or carry heavy objects or materials up to 50 pounds. Specific visual abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral visions, distance vision, and color vision.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND HAZARDS

Work is regularly performed in a food production area (that may be dimly lit) with exposure to wet and/or humid conditions where there is frequent exposure to food fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to humid and hot conditions as well as cleaning chemicals. There is some risk of occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and gasses, outside weather conditions, extreme cold or heat and loud noises.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act pursuant to California Penal Code Section 11166.5.

Candidates must be available to work a flexible schedule based on operational needs. This may include opening, mid‑day, and closing shifts, as well as night shifts, weekends, and holidays throughout the year.

BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION

A background check will be conducted after a conditional offer of employment is extended by the company and accepted by the applicant and must be satisfactorily completed prior to any applicant beginning work in a full‑time, part‑time non‑student, or sensitive student capacity with Aztec Shops Ltd.

Background checks will include, at minimum, verification of education and employment histories, criminal records, national sex offender registry check, and references. Additionally, based on the nature and scope of the position, the background check may also include a credit report, motor vehicle report, and verification of professional licenses.

Failure to answer background check questions honestly, and satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the employment status of applicants or continued employment of current Aztec Shops employees who apply for promotional positions which require a background check.

Aztec Shops Ltd. complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including California Fair Chance Act, when conducting background checks.

Aztec Shops will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Aztec Shops is concerned about criminal history that is directly related to the job, you will be given notice and an opportunity to respond and provide additional information such as rehabilitation efforts or mitigating circumstances, or information pertaining to the accuracy of the background report. Aztec Shops will consider all evidence of rehabilitation and mitigating circumstances. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.

Aztec Shops is a diverse community representing many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful culture that promotes open communication, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging, to support the success of both our employees and students.

All Aztec Shops programs and activities are open and accessible to all individuals, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, and other characteristics protected by law. Consistent with California and federal civil rights laws, Aztec Shops maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.

Aztec Shops is dedicated to providing equal opportunity in employment and ensuring that no employee or applicant faces unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, job assignments, disciplinary actions, and terminations.

Our commitment to equal opportunity ensures that every employee has access to the resources and support needed to thrive and succeed. Aztec Shops complies with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

For additional information about the SDSU campus policy please visit affirming equal opportunity.